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SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



AND 



HISTORICAL 



EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN 



I LLUSTRATED 



NEW ORLEANS 

THE GULF PUBLISHING COMPANY 

BlOOKAPHlCAL AND HISTORICAL VVoRKS 
1891 



NEW ORLEANS: 
& Son, Printeks, 99, 101, 103, Gravier St. 

1891. 



INDUCED 



PREFACE, 



fHIS VOLUME goes forth to our patrons the result of months of arduous 
and conscientious labor. None so well know as those who have been as- 
sociated with us the almost insurmountable difficulties to be met with in 
the preparation of a work of this character. Since the inauguration of the en- 
terprise a large force has been employed in collecting material. During this 
time most of the citizens have been called to contribute from their recollections, 
carefully preserved letters, scraps of manuscript, memoranda, etc. Public 
records have been searched, newspaper files have been overhauled, and former 
citizens have been corresponded with for a verification of the information thus 
obtanied. In the conflicting statements of individuals, and the discrepancies and 
incompleteness of public documents, we have given preference to the pre- 
ponderance of authorit^^ While we acknowledge the existence of errors, as 
are to be found in all books, we claim to have come up to the standard of our 
promises, and given as accurate a work as the nature of surroundings would 
permit. The facts incorporated in the biographical sketches have, in most 
cases, been secured from the persons whom they represent; hence the publishers 
disclaim anj^ responsibility as to the matter they contain. Whatever may be the 
verdict of some, we feel assured that all just and thoughtful people will appre- 
ciate our efforts, and recognize the importance of the undertaking and the 
great public benefit that has been accomplished in preserving the valuable his- 
torical matters of the country, and biographies of many of the citizens, that 
perhaps would otherwise have passed into oblivion. To those who have given 
us their support and encouragement we acknowledge our gratitude, and can 
assure them that as years go by the bock will grow in value as a repositor)', 
not on!}- of pleasing reading matter, but of treasured information of the past 
that will become an enduring monum'ent. 

The Publishers. 
,]farch, i8gi. 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter I. — Introductory — Southwest Louisiana — Its Beauty and Fertility — Geology — Why the 
Farmer should Understand the Soil he Cultivates — Resources — General Elevation — Climate 
— Indians — The Attakapas Country— Its Name Derived from a Powerful Tribe of Indians — 
A Legend of the " Noble Red Man" — Lake Catahoula — The Western Company — Spanish 
Occupancy — The Settlement Rapidly Increases Under It— Marriage Under the Spanish Veil 
— A Trip to New Orleans — Incidents of the Voyage — Louisiana Ceded back to France — 
Summary, etc 7 

Chapter II. — Parish of St. Landry — Boundary and Topography — Timber and Soils — Water 
Courses — Resources, etc. — Crop Statistics — Early Settlement— Something of the Pioneers — 
The Creoles — Indian Possession — More Pioneer History — Parish Organization — St. Landry 
as the County of Opelousas — Where the People Voted — Roads and Railroads— Agriculture — 
Sugar Making — Rice Culture — Churches and Schools — Opelousas — Its Growth and Business 
— Other Towns of the Parish — The Press — The Bench and Bar- Pioneer Doctors — Scattered 
Threads— The Military, etc 27 

Chapter III. — Parish of St. Martin — Introductory and Descriptive — Early History — Its Teriitory 
Lopped Off to Form Other Civil Divisions— The Civil War— Soldiers of St. Martin— Dark 
Days of Reconstruction — Crop Statistics — Resources, etc. — Parish Government — Schools — 
From iSii to 1S61 — Calamities that. Visited the Town — Manufacturing Statistics — Fire De- 
partment — Stores, etc. — Catholic Church — The Story of Evangeline — Vigilance Committees — 
Battle of Queue Tortue — Pioneer Bar of St. Martin — Breaux Bridge, etc 67 

Chapter IV. — Parish of Iberia — Geneial Description — Water Courses, etc. — Residences and 
Plantations — Prairie au Large — Grand Cote and Petit Anse Island — A Pisgah View — The 
Avery Salt Mines— Indian Relics — Joe Jefferson's Island — Lake Peigneur — A Land Flowing 
with Milk and Honey — Early Settlers — First Americans — The Acadians — Organization of the 
Parish — First Court House — Public Improvements — The Medical Profession — Yellow Fever 
Epidemics — Old '' Felicity" — Lawyers — Educational — New Iberia Laid Out — Industries — 
The Oil Mill— Churches, Newspapers, etc.- Jeannerette -Other Towns of Smaller Note, etc . 91 

Chapter V. — Paris)i of Calcasieu — Introductory — Topography and Descripiion- Settlement — 
Reese Perkins — His Magisterial Services — An Incident— The Pioneers — Organization ot ihe 
Parish — The Seat of Justice — Development of Resources — Fruit Culture — Figs — Rice Grow- 
ing — Lumber Interests — Evening on the Calcasieu — Railroads — The Watkins Road— Churches 
and Schools — Lake Charles College — Lawyers and Doctors — Lake Charles Settled — Incor- 
porated — A Go-Ahead Town — Rice Mill— Saw Mills and Lumber — The Piess — Country 
Towns — The Sulphur Mine — Many Things of Many Kinds, etc 121 

Chapter VI. — The Parish of Cameron— Boundaries and Description— The Coast Mar&h— Fu- 
ture Development of -Cameron — What Railroads Will Do For It — Settlement— Organization 
of the Parish — Legislative Act for Its Creation — A Correspondent's Impression of the 
Country and Its Capabilities— Orange Culture — A Fruit Country Unsurpassed — What the 
People May Make of It — Climate, etc. — The Medical and Legal Professions — Cnurches and 
Schools — A Parith Well Supplied with Moral Influences, etc 169 



6 CONTENTS. 

Page. 
Chapter VII. — Parish o£ Latayette — General Detcription — Darby's Opinion— Geologv and 
Soils— Beau Basin— The Cote Gelee Hills— Products, etc.— Stock Raising— Health of the 
Parish— Early Settlement— The Moutons- Other Pioneers— A Character— An Incident- 
Lafayette Parish Created— Characteristics — Lafayette vs. Vermilionville — The .\cadians— 
Railroads— Schools, etc.— Bench and Bar— District and Parish Judges — Present Bar— Medi- 
cal Profession--Board of Health — War Record— The Town of Lafayette— Railroad Ship- 
ments — Carencro — Other Towns — Queue Tortus Section— General Summary, etc iSi 

Chapter VIII.— Parish of St. Mary— Topography, etc.— Belle Isle— Geological— Lands Over- 
flowed and not Overflowed — Sketch of Daniel Dennett — Resources of the Parish — Crop 
Statistics — In the Good Old Times, etc. — Number of Slaves — Rice — Fruit Growing — Straw- 
berries — Tobacco— Cliinate and Health — Cote Blanche Island — Early Settlement— Moralizing 
on the Pioneers^Characteristicf — An Incident — Another — Organization of the Parish — 
Police Jurors—" Nigger " Rule— The Early Courts and Bar— Military— The Town of Frank- 
lin — Manufacturing Industries — A Port of Entry — Morgan City, etc 207 

Chapter IX. — "A Tale of Acadia" — Introductory — A Glance at Acadia Parish — Prairie on 
Fire — Resources — A Western Editor's Impressions of Southwestern Louisiana — Early Set- 
tlement — A German Colony — Joseph Fabacher — An Ode to the German Emigrant — Intro- 
duction of Rice Culture — Making Hay — Organization of the Parish — Act of the Legislature 
— Incorporation of Parish — Officials — Court Houses and Jails — The Town of Crowlev — 
Laying Out of Same — Other Towns — Schools and Churches — The Acadia College — Gen- 
eral Summary, etc 223 

Chapter X. — Parish of Vermilion— Topography and Description — Soils and Crops — Agricul- 
tural Statistics — Fruit Culture — Pecan Island— Shadowy Traditions Concerning It — Ghosts 
of Dead Men — Opinion of an Ex-Governor — Settlement of the Parish — Act Orgaiiizing It 
— Town of Abbeville — Change of the Parish Seat — The Catholic Church — .Seat of Justice 
Finally Located — Abbeville Incorporated — Business Men's Directory — Perry's Bridge 
— Military History— The War of 1S12 — Soldiers in the Late War— Schools — The Bench and 
Bar — Benevolent Associations, etc.. 243 

Appendix. — Facts of Interest to the Reader — Evangeline — Constitution of the State — The 
Acadians — Lafitte the Piiate — Lafitte the Patriot — Battle of New Orleans, etc 257 

Index (Part II) 3S9 

BIOGRAPHICAL 

''age. Page. 

AcAuiA Parish 251 St. Laxurv Parish 3 

Calcasieu Parish 137 St. Martin Parish 309 

Iberia Parish 93 St. Mary Parish 357 

Lafayette Parish 201 Vermilion Parish 277 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. Page. 

Anding, H. W. (Part II) 119 McGixley, B. F. (Part II) 51 

Broussard, J. T. (Part I; 195 Moore, E. O. (Part II) i 

Bryan, J. W. (Part I) 127 Opelousas Female Institute, (Part I) 25 

DusoN, C. C. (Part I) 229 Smith, J. P. (Part I) 59 

Francez, Roman (Part II) 255 Thomp.son, J. J. (Part I) 293 

Gray, H. M. (Part II) 1S7 Ware, J\o. M. (Part I). 357 



SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. 



CHAPTER I. 

Introduction — Southwest Louisiana — Its Beauty and Fertility — Geo- 
logical — Why the Farmer Should Understand the Soil He 
Cultivates — Resources — General Elevations — Climate — The At- 
TAKAPAS Country — Its Name Derived from a Powerful Indian 
Tribe — A Legend of the "Noble Redman" — Lake Ca-ta-oula — 
The Western Company — Spanish Occupancy — The Settlements 
Rapidly Increase — Marriage Under the Spanish Veil — A Visit 
TO New Orleans — Incidents of the Tuip — Lolisiaxa Ceded Back 
to France. 

.-.i^OUTHWEST LOUISIANA is a beautiful country. No man ought to de- 
■^ sire a more lovely or richer country. It possesses everything necessary 
^ ' to wealth and the enjoyment of life. No extremes of climate are known 
here. No burning suns, no frozen snows, no chilling winds a:»e felt. A healthful 
atmosphere, purified by the gulf breeze, prevails throughout the year. What then 
does it lack? Nothing but enterprise to properly develop it, and to let the out- 
side world know what is here. 

No better description of Southwest Louisiana can be given than that found 
in Mr. Daniel Dennett's little book, published in 1876; and much of it is used in 
this work. It was prepared with great care and from personal investigation. 

•' From the northern boundary of St. Landry to the gulf coast, the distance 
is about one hundred miles; and from the Belle River, the eastern line of the 
parish of Iberia, to Lake Arthur, the western limits of the parish of Vermilion, 
the distance is about eight\^-five miles. The sea marsh on the coast of Attaka- 
pas has an average width of more than twent}' miles. The southern boundary 
of these parishes is in latitude twenty-nine and a half degrees. The northern 
limits of the parish of St. Landry reach latitude thirty one, near the true cotton 
belt of the Southern States. 

" The six parishes of St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Iberia, Vermilion 
and Lafayette, contain more than 3,000,000 acres of tillable land, most of it of 
inexhaustible fertility. Even most of the sea marsh and all of the swamp lands 
may be reclaimed by local levees and proper drainage and may become the most 



8 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA • 

productive rice and sugar lands in the State. Windmill pumps may relieve the 
reclaimed marsh lands from surplus water, for the winds blow nlmost constantly 
near the gulf coast. On the border of the sea marsh of St. Mary and Iberia, 
extending from a point below Berwick's Bay to and into the parish of Vermilion, 
■\ line of forest trees, mostly heavy cypress, stand as the dividing line and wall 
between the marsh and the tillable land of the Atchafalaxa and the Teche. In 
places this line of timber is from one to two miles wide. This line of forest 
extends down to tiie mouth of Bayou Sale on both sides and down both sides of 
Bayou Cypre-mort. At Petit Anse Island the sea marsh and prairie meet and 
the chain of timber is broken for a few miles. .On the side of this crooked chain 
of timber, ne.xt to the plantations, in places, there is a heavy growth of gum, 
oak, ash, hackberry, and an undergrowth of dogwood, vines, palmetto, haw, etc. 
These lines of timber, reckoning that on both sides of Bayou Sale and Bayou 
Cypre-mort is over 125 miles in extent. 

" In the lower or eastern part of the parish of St. Mary, around Berwick's 
Bay and the lower Teche, the highest land is about ten feet above the level of the 
Gulf of Mexico. Near Franklin the highest bank is from twelve to thirteen feet. 
Near Breaux Bridge, the first bank is twenty-two feet high, and the second bank 
twenty-seven feet. In the parish of Lafayette, the Cote Gelee Hills, Beau Basin 
and the banks of the Vermilion are forty feet above the level of the gulf. The 
general average of St. Landry is about sixty feet above the same level. The 
parish of Vermilion is about on a level with St. Mary. The highest elevations 
on Belle Isle, Cote Blanche, Grande Cote and Petit Anse island, are from 160 
to 185 feet above tide water." 

In his preliminar}' report of a Geological Survey of Western Louisiana, 
Prof. Hilgard says: '* Few sections of the United States, indeed, can offer 
such inducements to settlers as the prairie region between the Mississippi bot- 
toms, the Nez Pique and the Mermentau Rivers. Healthier by far than the 
prairies of the Northwest, fanned by the sea breeze, well watered, the scarcity 
of wood rendered of less moment b}- the blandness of the climate; and the ex- 
traordinary rapidit}' with which natural hedges can be grown for fences, while 
the exuberantly fertile soil produces both sugar cane and cotton in profusion, 
continuing to do so in many cases after seventy years' exhaustive culture, well 
may the Teche countr}' be styled by its enthusiastic inhabitants the ' Eden of 
Louisiana.""" 

Said the editor of the Chicago Tribune, after visiting Southwest Louisiana : 
"If, by some supreme effort of nature. Western Louisiana, with its soil, climate 
and production, could be taken up and transported North, to the latitude of 
Illinois and Indiana, and be there set down in the pathway of Eastern and 
Western travel, it would create a commotion that would throw the discovery of 
gold in California in the -'lade at the time of the greatest excitement. The 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. » 

people would rush to it in countless thousands. Eveiy man would be intent on 
securing a few acres of these wonderfully productive and profitable sugar 
places. These Teche lands, if in Illinois, would bring from -^300 to $500 per 
acre." 

Why Farmers Should L'liderslaiid Their Soils. — The two subjects of 
supreme importance in all countries are those of soil and cHmate. The corner- 
stone upon which all of life rests is the farmer. Who then should be so versed 
as he in the knowledge of the soil ? What other information can be so valuable 
to him as the mastery of the science of Geology, or at least that much of it as 
applies to the part of the earth where he casts his fortunes and cultivates the soil? 
But it is not intended to go into a treatise on Geology. The regular geological 
survey of the State will give all facts pertaining to the constituent elements of 
the soil, and what particular soils are best adapted to certain crops. 

The effects of the soil on people and on animals are as strong and certain 
as upon the vegetation that springs from it. Where the soil and subjacent rocks 
are profuse in the bestowal of wealth, and the air is deprived of that invigorat- 
ing tonic that comes of the winters of the temperate climates, man is indolent 
and effeminate. Where effort is required to live, he becomes enlightened and 
virtuous. But when on the sands of the desert, or in the jungles of Africa or 
Brazil, where he is unable to procure the necessities or comforts of life, he lives 
a savage. It is told that Prof. Agassiz was once appealed to by some horse 
breeders in reference to developing a certain strain of horses. He told them 
it was not a question of equestrianism, but one of rocks. To most men this 
replv would have been meaningless, yet it was full of wisdom. It signified that 
certain rock formations that underlie the soil would insure a certain growth of 
grasses and produce certain water, and the secret of the perfect horse lay here. 
Then what subject interests the farmer more than the soil he cultivates? 

Here and there are to be found an intelligent farmer or machinist who un- 
derslandcthe simple scientific principles that govern their work or occupation. 
Their knowledge is powei-. In every turn of life they stand upon vantage ground, 
and their lives are successful in the broad sense of that term. They understand 
the soil they till, or the implements of industry they are called on to make or 
use. They kiiovj where ignorance guesses, doubts and fears, and by not know- 
ing so often fails. The farmer will take his place among earth's noblest and 
best only when he forces his way there, by the superior intelligence, culture 
and eloquence with which his mode of life is capable of surrounding itself. 
Understand your soil and your climate, and master the art of cultivation of those 
things for wiiich it is best adapted, and at once your business will take rank 
with the noblest of the professions. 

Resources. — The natural resources of Southwest Louisiana are scarcely 
known, for the countrv has never been taxed to its full capacity, even in the 



10 so UTH WEST L O UISIA NA : 

production of the standard crops and fruits. Cotton and cane, for years and 
years the principal crops raised in this section, until within the last few years 
have never been cultivated in a manner to bring out the full strength of the soil. 
Under the old regime in the South, in planting time the top of tiie ground was 
scratched off — it could hardly be called plowing — and the crops put in. Nature 
and the slaves were left to do the balance, while the planter, with his family, 
enjoyed themselves at some Northern watering place. Of course, such farming 
is not calculated to improve land, or show just what it will produce. There is 
no sort of question but that Louisiana, with her excellent lands and fine climate, 
and with judicious farming, will prove among the most valuable in tlie Republic. 

Some statistics from the different parishes comprised in this work show 
something of the products of this section. In St. Landrj^ the principal crops, as 
stated above, were cotton and cane, but of late years, rice, corn, potatoes, 
melons, pumpkins, ha3s gardens, fruits, etc., are being produced with 
great profit to the planter. Stock raising, fine stock, is also becoming a profit- 
able business. In St. Martin, the Teche lands are considered the richest and 
most valuable in the State, and all the crops grown here are produced in abund- 
ance. Sugar, cotton, corn, tobacco, indigo, fruits, melons, in fact anj'thing 
ever grown in the same latitude, no portion of Louisiana can excel St. Martin's 
parish. In the parish of Lafayette there is considerable fine prairie land, which 
is extremely productive, and produces all the crops of the surrounding parishes. 
Some of the most valuable plantations in the parish of Iberia are found along 
the Bayou Teche. In addition to the usual crops grown elsewhere in southwest 
Louisiana, a number of very fine orange groves may be seen in tliis parish. 
The parish of Vermilion produces excellent crops of sugar, cotton, rice, corn, 
potatoes, etc. It is also valuable for its fine timber. Fruits, and particularly 
peaches, do well in Vermilion. In St. Mary's parish there is not, it is said, an 
acre of poor land in the parish.' All crops and fruits that flourish in the 
Attakapas countr)^ do well in St. Mary. The parish of Calcasieu is orve of the 
finest rice producing sections in the State. The last census shows that 
Louisiana produced more rice the past year than all the States put together, and 
Calcasieu proved the banner parish in rice culture. 

The lumber interests of Calcasieu, and some others of these parishes, are not 
the least sources of their wealth. But many other facts of interest, including 
stock statistics, will be given in the history of the individual parishes. 

Climate. — The following, on the climate of Soutlivvestern Louisiana, is by 
one* who lias given mucli stud}' to the matter: 

" By Southwest Louisiana is meant that portion of tlie State of Louisiana one 
hundred miles from north to south and one hundred miles from east to west in 
the southwest corner of the Stale. This favored spot is blessed with a climate 

* W. II. Clint, of [.:ike Charles. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 11 

that is exceptionally fine. While much may be truthfully said favorably of the 
climate of the entire gulf coast, it is nevertheless true, that this favored spotsur- 
passes all other portions of the South, and I verily believe any other part of 
America, in the delightfulness of its climate. Having resided here nearly two 
years, and having diligently inquired of the old inhabitants, I think I am prepared 
to discuss this subject intelligently. 

" And first I ask, why is this particular one hundred miles square more favor- 
ed than any other section of equal extent in the same latitude? I will give you 
some of tlie physical causes that, in my judgment, produce this result, i. The 
Gulf of Mexico reaches its northernmost latitude west of the Mississippi river on 
the coast of Southwest Louisiana. 2. The inner gulf stream, a stream with a 
current of two to three miles an hour, flowing parallel with the coast, makes its 
nearest approach to the land at the mouth of Calcasieu Pass. This brings the 
warm water of the South to our shores, tempering the atmosphere as it comes in 
contact with it. 3. Large bodies of water, in the form of lakes, are distributed 
along the coast from five to fort}' miles inland. These bodies of water, connected 
with the gulf as they are, tend to modify the atmosphere, cooling it in summer 
and warming it in winter. And as the sun heats and rarefies the air on land, the 
air that has become cooled by contact with the water passes inland to fill the 
vacuum, thus producing a constant succession of delightful breezes, which 
reach inland about one hundred miles. Then north of this region, which is 
mostly prairie, stretches avast forest of stately pine, magnificent oak, beautiful 
pecan and tall hickory, with many shrubs and smaller trees in the intermediate 
spaces. This forest reaches up through this State and Arkansas to the Missouri 
line, where it has in its front, as a line of breastworks against the northern bliz- 
zards, the Ozark mountains. 

" Whoever has tried the experiment of getting behind a barn for shelter 
from the cutting wind on a cold moVning in the North, and has then stepped out 
from behind the barn and felt the keen wind strike him with its biting breath, 
can understand our situation while sheltered behind the great natural barrier 
composed of the great forests and mountains; and can understand how it is that 
we enjoy a better climate than our neighbors who are from behind the shelter. 
When the blizzard from Minnesota or Dakota starts southward, it meets an 
obstruction in the Ozark mountains that divides its main force, while the portion 
that succeeds in passing the mountains is still further obstructed, and modified 
b}' the forest, so that by the time it reaches Southwest Louisiana, it is hut a cool 
wave, producing rainfall, but rarely any frost. 

"The main body of the blizzard being divided, one wing sweeps down 
through Indian Territory and Texas, and is called a ' Norther,' and is much 
dreaded even in Southern Texas. The other wing sweeps down the Missisippi 
vallev, as through a tunnel, producing a prodigious rainfall. Staiistics show 



12 .S O I -77/ U 'ES r LOl 7 SI A XA : 

that while New Orleans Ikis a rainfall of seventy-five inches per annum, Lake 
Charles, the chief city of Southwest Louisiana, has a rainfall of but fifty inches. 

"The temperature of this region is more even than it is either east or v/est 
of us. During the blizzard of January, 1887, ^^ lowest temperature reached 
here was 25' above zero. At the same time in Houston, Tex., due west, the 
thermometer reached 18° above zero, while one hundred miles west of Houston it 
reached ii"" above. At the same time directly east of us one hundred miles and 
upward, the thermometer marked 23^', 19'^ and 18^ above zero. The higliest 
temperature reached in Lake Charles (since I came here) is 95° above zero, and 
the lowest 30" above. The difference in temperature from one month to another 
is rarely more than 5 to 8', and the difference from noon to midniglit not more 
than 5'^ to 10''. This makes it very pleasant and healthful. The climate is 
specially beneficial to those troubled with lung, nasal and throat diseases. The 
.summers are not so hot and sultr}' as the}- are in the Northwestern States but are 
much longer. The delightful gulf breezes make it pleasant even in the middle 
of the summer, except during the middle of the day — from 10 o'clock A. m. to 4 
o'clock p. M. —and even then it is pleasant in the shade. The winters are de- 
lightful. Althougli tiiere is a greater rainfall in winter than in summer, and it 
is sometimes chilly, damp and disagreeable for from one to three davs at a time, 
it soon changes when the wind changes to the south, and is so warm and pleas- 
ant that for weeks at a time we do not light fires in our sitting rooms or parlors, 
and men work in tiie open air in their shirt sleeves. 

" We, therefore, claim with confidence that Southwest Louisiana possesses 
a climate superior to any other portion of the gulf coast, and of California, in 
these particulars: First, a more even temperature: second, greater freedom 
from windstorms; third, a more even distribution of rainfall; fourth, cooler in 
summer and warmer in winter; fifth, healthier. Take it all the year round, I be- 
lieve our climate is unsurpassed on this green earth." 

The Atlakapas Country. — The magnificent region known as tlie " Atta- 
kapas Country " embraces the larger portion of the territory to which this work 
is devoted. The very interesting historical sketch of it given herewith was written 
by Col. Felix Voorliies, of St. Martinsville, especialh' for this work. It is as 
follows : 

" The vast region known as tlie ' Attakapas District,' under the Spanish 
and French occupancy of Louisiana, comprised the territor}' now forming the 
parislies of St. Martin, St. Landr}-, Iberia, Lafayette, Acadia, Vermilion and 
St. Mar}-. It was bounded on tlie north by the Avoyelles District, on the east 
by the Atchafalaya River and Grand Lake, on the south by the Gulf of Mexico, 
and on the west by tlie Mermentau River and the chain of lakes through which 
it flows. Its name was derived from that of the Attakapas Indians, a powerful 
tribe which, at one time, possessed the wiiole of this region. 



lUSrORICAL AA/) BJOGRAPHICAL. 13 

" The Attaknpas Indians were much dreaded b)' other Indian tribes. They 
liad the reputation of eating their prisoners of war, and lience their name, 
which means ' man eater.' There is a tradition that the Attakapas Nation 
becoming more and more aggressive, the neighboring tribes- of Chactas 
(Choctaws), Alibamons, and Opelousas formed a league for the purpose of 
resisting their aggressions, and to repel their inroads and attacks. A war of 
extermination ensued. Several severe skirmishes took place. Finally, the 
liated and bloodthirsty Attakapas Indians were almost annihilated in a great 
battle, fought on the hills three miles west of the town of St. Martinsville. 
Now powerless to do harm, the remnant of the once warlike Attakapas was 
either incorporated in the victorious tribes, or allowed to remain unmolested in 
the district. Their degenerate descendants may be seen, even at this da}-, at 
Indian Bend of the Teche, a little above the town of Franklin. From the time 
of this terrible overthrow the Attakapas ceased to be known and feared as a 
tribe. 

" This occurred shortly before the advent of the white man in Louisiana. Tlie 
conquered territory was divided among the victors. That part of the district 
which now forms the parish of St. Landry was allotted to the Opelousas, and 
went by that name until after the cession of Louisiana to the United States. 
The Alibamons had for their share of the spoils that part of the district which 
extends from the Vermilion Bayou to the River Mermentau, whilst the 
Clioctaws took possession of the Teche country. But although thej' located two 
or three villages on the Teche and Vermilion Bayous, tlie immense Attakapas 
region was b}- mutual consent reserved as hunting grounds for the three con- 
federated tribes. 

An Indian Legend. — " The Teche has its Indian legend, which we deem 
not unworthy of a space in the historical sketch of the country. It is related 
tliat in remote days an enormous snake was seen on the banks of the bayou. 
Its great size, the poisonous stench of its breath, the lashing of its tail when it 
had become infuriated, disma3-ed the Indians, and spread consternation in the 
neighborhood. A great body of warriors assembled, but no one dared to ap- 
proach the monster for some time. Finally, however, it was dispatched with 
clubs, after it had been repeatedly wounded with arrows. To commemorate 
this event, the Indians gave the name of Tenchc to the stream, the word Tenche 
signifying snake. 

" In connection with this, it may not be amiss to give a passing- notice to 
lake Cata-oulou, the sacred lake of the Indians. It lies ensconced, as it were, 
in the deep solitude of the great forest which skirts the Attakapas prairie on the 
east of the Teche, about nine miles from the town of St. Martinsville, the word 
Cata-oulou meaning sacrifice. The beauty of its scenery and its picturesque 
landscapes have probably no equal in the State. Its water has the transparency 



14 SOVTHWliST LOUISIANA: 

of crystal and its depth averages from ninet}' to one hundred feet. The sinuosities 
of its steep and precipitous banks and its width, which does not exceed 500 yards, 
lead us to believe that at one time it may have been the bed of some mighty river, 
perhaps the Mississippi itself. The Indians of the surrounding country repaired 
to this spot to propitiate, with their offerings and sacrifices, thS Great Spirit, the 
all powerful Manitou. In its crj^stalline waters they plunged themselves to get 
cleansed of their moral and physical impurities. In its sacred waters they 
dipped their amulets and arrows to avert approaching calamities, and as a pro- 
tection against the devices of the evil spirit. He wlio could not make this pil- 
grimage felt despondent and unhappy, and his inabilit}' to follow the others iii^ 
their saintly journey bode him no good. If, whilst performing his immersion in 
the like, one should happen to drown, his memory was ex'ecrated and his deatli 
was considered the judgment of the great Manitou in atonement for the crimes 
committed by him. Tlie lake is still called Cata-oulou, tlie lake of sacrifice, but 
the great Manitou, like his Indian worshipper, is now a thing of the past. The 
picturesque and beautiful lake, with its transparent waters, is now a summer 
resort, wliere the lover of solitude and the people of St. Martinsville and of the 
adjoining villages in the sultry hours of the dog days seek tiie coolness and 
shade of the majestic oaks that line its banks. 

"Toward the middle of tlie last century, St. Martinsville was known as the 
Poste des Attakapas — tiie civil and military concerns of the whole district were 
administered there. Even at that remote period the Poste des Attakapas had 
acquired a certain importance, although it consisted of but a small church without 
an officiating priest most of the time, an ill-constructed barracks for the pahry 
garrison under the orders of the commandant, and of a small store where the 
scattered settlers of the neighborhood traded. 

" Prior to the occupancy of Louisiana bj^ the Spanish government the At- 
takapas district had been overlooked most shamefulh' by the colonial government; 
although picturesque and beautiful, it was ihea a wild region inhabited mostly by 
Indians and by a few white men, trappers and hunters. Its immense prairies, 
covered with tall weeds were the commons where herds of cattle and of deer 
roamed and grazed unmolested save by the hunter or the crouching panther. 
Such was the region which, by the energy of its first settlers, was transformed 
into a country teeming with such wealth and plenty as subsequently to deserve 
the appellation of the 'Eden of Louisiana.' 

" During that earlj' period no mention is made of the Attakapas district in 
history. The Attakapas region is mentioned only once in the annals of that 
time, where we read that in 1757, under the administration of Kerlerec, ' a few 
French Canadians, deeming it to be the direst of calamities to submit to the Eng- 
lish yoke, abandoned their homes in Canada to join their countrymen in Louisi- 
ana.' None of the existing archives of the district fix, however, with certainty 



HISTORICAL AND niOGRAPIIICAI. i:, 

the dale ot theii- settlement in the Teche region. As early as 1723. the vast 
province of Louisiana had been divided into seven districts, each one of which 
was administered in its civil and military concerns by a commandant and a judf^e. 
The Attakapas region was included within the territorial limits of the OrU^ans 
district. 

'• Louisiana was then under the administration of the Western Companv, 
chartered by the King of France, and acting under his auspices. Although 
largely engaged in agriculture on its large plantations established on the river, 
in proximity of the city of New Orleans, the company had but one object in 
view': it was that of amassing boundless wealth in the rich mines said to e.\ist 
in Missouri. Led astray by these mining delusions, the company neglected the 
only real and true source of the wealth of the colony — the development of its 
resources by the intelligent husbandry and culture of its soil of unsurpassing 
richness and fertility. It was for that reason that the remote parts of the Orleans 
district remained an almost unexplored wilderness, and that the Attakapas 
region, neglected bj- the company, continued during its administration to be in- 
habited only by a few trappers and Indians, who found on its immense prairies, 
where vast herds of cattle roamed at large, and in its lakes and bayous, well 
stocked with fish and game, a fruitful source of profit and sustenance. 

" The district officers had their residence in the city of New Orleans, and 
seldom visited, if at all, the Attakapas region, although easy of access, through 
the numerous bayous and lakes, outlets of the Mississippi, forming a network 
of water courses for communication, unrivaled in any other country. 

Sfanish Occupancy. — " The Attakapas region, which has been immortal- 
ized by the pen of a great American poet, remained in that state of stagnancy, 
with its resources undeveloped, until its transfer bj- France to Spain. Its popu- 
lation at that time, as shown by the census ordered by O'Reilly, amounted to 
409 persons, all told. But from that period, A. D. 1770, a new era of prosperity 
dawned on the Attakapas region. The Spanish government, wiser than its pre- 
decessor, and having no faith in the idle dreams and mining delusions of the 
Western Company, understood that the wealth of the colony depended on the 
development of its agricultural resources, and in the raisingof stock and cattle in 
its rich pasturage grounds. The fostering of these industries became the fixed 
policy of the Spanish government, audit spared no pains and neglected nothing 
to make it a success. For this purpose, military posts were stationed in the dif- 
ferent districts of the province. The Poste des Attakapas was stationed on the 
Teche. The posts were given in charge of officers of the ami}-, and certain 
powers were conferred upon them for the civil and militar}- administration of 
their respective districts. Their duties in civil matters were alike to those now 
performed by justices of the peace in the different parishes of the State. Their 
jurisdiction in civil matters attached whenever the value of the object in dispute 



K; .so*' 'THWEsr L OUISIANA : 

did not exceed $20^-in cases of greater impertance, their duty was to receive tlie 
petitions and answers of tlie litigants, to take down their evidence in writing, 
and to transmit the whole to headquarters in tlie cit\', for further proceedings. 
Tliey were tlie executive officers of the district, when a judgment was to be exe- 
cuted — as notaries, their acts were authentic — as judges the settlement of es- 
tates was one of their attributes — as military officers, they examined the pass- 
ports of strangers, and allowed none to settle within their jurisdiction without a 
permit from the governor. 

"To the credit of the settlers be it written that the archives show that in those 
days litigation was exceedingly rare. The colonists were amply provided with 
the necessaries of life, and plainness and simplicity of manners were their char 
acteristic virtues. Besides, these commandants were arbiters in all their differ- 
ences. Their decisions, as a general thing, were so just and equitable that they 
proved satisfactory to all, and put an end to litigation. In certain cases, these 
commandants, in the absence of an officiating priest, were authorized to cele- 
brate marriages, whicli were called marriages fer verba de present/'. This cus- 
tom was sanctioned by the government for want of spiritual assistance, on con- 
dition tliat these marriages were to be solemnized before the church on the first 
opportunity, although a failure of the solemnization did not entail nullity of the 
marriage. 

" It may not be amiss to mention here a peculiar marriage ceremony which 
was sometimes performed. It was termed the marriage 'under the Spanish veil ' 
{sous le voile espagiiol). It was a ceremony wherein four persons held up a 
white veil over the parties in front of the priest who was celebrating the mar- 
riage. 

"The lands of the district were parceled out or surveyed and granted to 
the families in quantities to be determined according to their means, and the only 
conditions imposed on the grantees were: 'that within three j'ears' possession 
they should make the necessar}' levees to protect the lands from overflows and 
ditches to drain them, keep the roads running along the levees in good repair: 
that the roads should be forty feet wide, witli bridges of twelve feet over the 
ditches crossing the road; and within the three 3'ears" possession that the}' should 
clear the timber on their lands to a depth of at least three arpents from their 
front lines.' These conditions were imposed as an incentive to the cultivation of 
the lands so donated, since, if violated, these lands were to revert to the crown. 
In certain localities, the land granted measured one square league: and in cases 
of urgency or necessity a double or rear concession of similar extent was do- 
nated. 

" The policy of the government had the desired effect — attracted by the 
richness of the soil, the beauty and salubrity of the country, settlers, mostly of 
French origin, came in from every direction. The district of Attakapas 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 17 

received at that time a most valuable accession to its population by tlie arrival 
cf Spanish emigrants from the Canary Islands and of Acadian refugees from the 
British possessions. 

" These Spanish emigrants, under the order of Don Louis Bouligny, 
settled where the town of New Iberia now stands, but having failed in their 
attempt to raise hemp and flax, and being discouraged b}^ their failure, they 
settled on the lands bordering on Lake Tasse, in the parish of St. Martin. 
Their descendants, the Romeros, the Lopez, the Leguras, the Viators, occupy 
still the land gran*-ed to their ancestors. Some of these families are now 
classed among the ichest in the land. They are noted for their hospitality and 
for the fervor with which they cling to their friends. Honest and laborious, they 
constitute one of the best elements of the country. 

The Acadians. — " These people had come from the barren and desolate 
shores of Acadia, now Nova Scotia. Several years previous to their emigration 
to Louisiana, England, which had wrested that province from the possession of 
France in America, had resolved to exterminate the Acadians, solel)' for their 
love for their mother country, and of their devotion to the Catholic faith. To 
carry out this horrible design, ships were dispatched to Acadia and filled with 
its unfortunate inhabitants, who were kidnapped by ruffians in British unifoi'm. 
The Acadians were transported to distant regions, and were landed on the sand}- 
coasts of the Atlantic from Delaware to Maryland, and left penniless to shift for 
themselves, to die of cold and hunger. They had been robbed of their mone}^ 
and stripped of all that thej' possessed. This cruelty met with universal repro- 
bation, and these unfortunates received the kindest treatment wherever they 
were landed, and the public authorities supplied them liberally. But the 
Acadians, loathing all connection with those whose language was tliat of their 
oppressors, determined to seek the land of Louisiana, and breathe once more 
the air in which floated the spotless banner of France. To achieve their purpose, 
they had to travel overland more than a thousand miles, through a trackless 
wilderness. The}' had to overcome obstacles without number, exposed to the 
attacks of Indians that beset their path. It was a perilous enterprise before 
which quailed the stoutest heart. But undismayed and nothing daunted by the 
perils to which they were to be exposed, and the obstacles they had to over- 
come, they started on this overland pilgrimage from Mar3'land to the Tennessee 
River, which the}- had finally reached after untold sufferings, the very picture of 
despair and of dejection. They embarked in boats hastily constructed, and glided 
down the Tennessee River, until they launched on the turbulent waters of the 
Mississippi, and floated down that noble stream as far as Bayou Plaquemine, in 
the county of Iberville. There they landed, freed once more from British rule, 
among friends who received them wuth open hearts, and who vied with one 
another in relieving llieir distress, and ministering to their wants. Sliortly 



IS so urn WEST LOi VSIA NA : 

afterward, they left for the Attakapas district, wliere lands had been allotted to 
tliem. They wended their way through dismal swamps and bayous without 
number before reaching their homes near the Poste des Attakapas. 

"There, tlie different Acadian lamiHes separated to settle on the lan.Ls 
donated to them. They were the Leblancs, the Martins, the Broussards, llie 
Gilbeaux, the Bernards, the Arceneaux, the Babins, the Breaux, the Robicheaux, 
the Heberts and the Dugas, the Landry's and the Mclancons. Most of these 
families settled on the Teche, and soon they had cleared their lands and built 
comfortable homes. Laborious and honest, economical and orderly- in their 
affairs, the}' lived contented with what little thej' had. The}' soon enriched 
themselves and became the leading planters and citizens of tlie district. 

Increase of Pofuhilion. — " The population had largely increased, and tlie 
district of Attakapas was now highly prosperous. Its commerce had acquired 
a certain importance, and was carried on mainly with barges through the numer- 
ous lakes and bayous which led to the Mississippi River. The proprietors of 
these barges had their own landing places in the coulees that opened in the 
prairies of the Teche, and which fell in the lakes and bayous, and these landing.s 
went under the name oi -poi'tages. There were then several of these portages in 
the district, the principal of which were those of Cypre-mort, the portage 
Sauvage, and the portage Guidry — at these places travelers going to the city 
embarked on the barges, already laden with the products of the district. A trip 
to the city in those days was no small affair, as it required at least six weeks to 
effect it. The travelers had to provide themselves with whatever was necessary 
for their comfort diiring the voyage. They had their tents and provisions, their 
cooks and servants. The captains of the barges assumed no other responsibility 
than that of conducting their passengers safely to their place of destination. No 
traveling was done during the night. Toward sunset, the barge was safely 
moored to the embankment, of the river or lake on which they happened to be, 
and the tents were pitched, and the long liours of the night were whiled away 
in the best manner possible; whenever the current was strong the barges were 
pulled slowly along with ropes, and it required hours of that tedious work to ad- 
vance a few miles. As may be well imagined, traveling in those days was no 
little concern, and none but such as belonged to tlie wealthy class could afford 
the luxury of a trip to the city of New Orleans. 

" Numerous farms now dotted the right banks of the Teche, as it was con- 
sidered useless and unsafe to cultivate the lands on its east side, as they were 
exposedto annual overflows. The lands on the east of the Teche were used solely 
as pasturage grounds during the low stage of the waters. Indigo, rice, tobacco, 
corn and cotton were cultivated successfully. The intercourse between the 
settlers had assumed that feature of politeness and urbanity which character- 
izes the French people. The advent of several cadets of the noble families of 
France and of Spain contributed no little toward increasing the sociability in the 



HISTORH AL AND BIOGRAPNHAL. 1!» 

colonv bv their good breeding and courtly manners. These cadets had settled 
in Louisiana to seek, that fortune and distinction to which they could not aspire 
in tlie mother country, where the first born inherited the estates and dignities of 
the family. Prominent among them were the Deblancs, the Delalioussayes, the 
Delacroix, the Devezins, the Declouets, and many others, who took a conspicu- 
ous part in the affairs of the colony and occupied the first posts in the district. 

'* The colony was now prospering more than ever under the paternal 
dominion of Spain. The government granted lands witu a princely Hberality 
to all that were deserving of the King's bounty, and the administration, with vig- 
ilant care and by the just and equitable enforcement of the laws, protected its 
subjects equally in their life and in their property, which now had become val- 
uable and productive. Such was the prosperous and healthy condition of the 
district when Louisiana was retroceded to France in 1803, by the treaty of San 
Ildelonso." 

Riiilroads and Waterways. — Southwestern Louisiana, and particularly that 
portion embraced in this volume, is well supplied with navigable streams. This 
is good as far as it goe«, but it does not go far enough. It is the railroads that 
make a country. Plenty of railroads through this section tc compete with the 
waterways would make it one of the richest and most desirable localities in which 
to live almost in the world. The railroad, in this age of improvement and in- 
vention, although scarcely known three-quarters of a century ago, has become 
the greatest single factor in the development of the material and social progress 
not only of the United States but of other civilized nations of the earth. As 
late as 1825 the then longest railroad in the United States was from Mauch 
Chunk coal mines to the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania, and was nine miles in 
length. So slow, however, was the co struction of railroads ai their beginning 
that in 1834 the longest railroad in the world extended from Charleston, S. C, 
to Augusta, Ga., a distance of one hundred and thirty miles. 

But without tracing its growth the railroad system of the United Stales, 
now forming a perfect net-work of iron and steel in every portion of the country 
on which daily and nightl\- continuously run thousands of locomotives, and tens 
of thousands of freight and passenger cars loaded with the products of the 
country-, with valuable merchandise from every part of the world, and with 
thous inds and thousands of human beings, dashing with lightning speed from 
city to city, and from State to State, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from 
the lakes of the North to the Southern gulf, representing a capital of more than 
^5,000,000, is one of the most marvelous achievements of this great country. 

The Southern Pacific Railwa}-, which has had so great an influence in the 
development of Southwestern Louisiana, has an interesting history, and without 
a synopsis of it this work would not, perhaps, be considered complete, and it 
will be added in this connection. It was compiled by one perfectly familiar with 
its histor)-. and is substantially correct. It is as follows: 



20 soi-r/nvES7' l oi 'i si ax a .- 

"It was incorporated December 2, 1865, ^o '"" ti'om the peninsula of San 
Francisco to San Diego via San Jose. It was composed of men who were not 
identified with the Central Pacific people. It was built to San Jose, and Octo- 
ber II, 1870, it consolidated with the local companies, and the combined 
companies went under the name of the Southern Pacific Company, and 
enlarged its plans to a scheme to construct a road to the Colorado River. Tiie 
leading spirits of the Central Pacific secured control of it, and had the charter 
so amended as to change the line from its original course, and extended it from 
Goshen southward, commencing at the terminus of the Central Pacific. The 
construction of the road accordingl}' went on without a halt through 1872, 1873 
and 1874. 1 he whole southern half of the great basin of California was trav- 
ersed — the extraordinary feat of penetrating Tehashipi Pass was accomplished, 
the Mojave Plains were crossed, local lines were secured, and the wonderfulh- 
fertile country of Los Angeles was reached, 482 miles from San Francisco. 

"All the lower half of the Stale had been traversed, and the changes 
which it had worked are almost inconceivable. The great San Joaquin Plains 
were cleared of cattle and sheep, and at first great grain fields were cultivated, 
and they have been rapidly yielding to orchards and vineyards. The settlement 
of the valley increased enormousl}' The country about Los Angeles and the 
city itself were aroused to wonderful activity. The wealth of the whole half of 
the State south of Sacramento River increased with unheard-of rapidity, for 
emigrants were pouring in from the Eastern States, and, according to tlie basis 
adopted by the census department of the Federal Government, each emigrant 
added $1000 to the wealth of the State. 

"The ambition of these tireless railroad builders was not satisfied, and it 
soon became evident that a southern overland route was in contemplation. The 
road was pushed southward and eastward, and on the 23d of Ma}% 1877, it struck 
the Colorado River, at Fort Yuma, 248 miles from Los Angeles, and 731 from 
San Francisco. This ended the eastern progress of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad of California; but largely from the ^personnel of that coinpan}- was 
organized October 7, 1878, the Southern Pacific of Arizona. This company 
broke ground at Yuma, November 19, 1878, and Casa Grande, 183 miles from 
Yuma, was reached on tiie 19th of May, 1879. Here there was a pause until 
January 26, 1880, when the work of pushing eastward was recommenced, and 
on the i8th of March a train was drawn into Tucson, 978 miles from San 
Francisco, and, in celebration of the event, Mr. Charles Crocker, the master 
spirit of the enterprise, was given a grand reception by the citizens. 

" The Southern Pacific Railroad Company of New Mexico, organized on a 
basis similar to that of the others, pushed the road into New Mexico, and in 
December, 1879, a second overland route was established, when the trains of 
the Southern Pacific rolled into Deming, 1198 miles from San Francisco, and 



HISTORICAL A.VD BIOGRAPHICAL. 21 

made connection with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road. This accom- 
plishment, however, by no means satisfied the ambition or met the final purpose 
of the railroad builders — a direct line of their own to the Mississippi River was 
the perfect solution of a southern overland route; and with this end in view the 
constructors turned their backs on Deming, and on the 19th of Ma}-, 1881, they 
had the tracks laid into El Paso, Texas, 1287 miles from San Francisco. 

" By this time the eyes of the whole world were fixed upon the daring men 
who were conducting their gigantic enterprise. They had crossed the wild 
deserts of Arizona and New Me.xico — had they means and courage to throw 
a line across the vast expanse of Texas? On went the work without a lialt 
or doubt; taming this wild, unsettled country and unlocking it to the world. 
On the 6th of December, 1881, the road entered Sierra Blanca, 1377 miles from 
San Francisco, and there made connection with the Te.xas and Pacific Railway. 
This opened a second and more direct route to the East, but it by no means 
filled the aims of the builders. New Orleans was the objective point, and it 
was 1 100 miles away • Without a moment's hesitation the}' assailed the task. 

" Meanwhile, General Pierce was building the line westward from San An- 
tonio, Texas, and on Christmas day of 1882 the two lines met at DeviFs River, 
and connection was established between San Francisco and New Orleans. The 
Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio, the oldest railroad line in Texas, had 
long been in operation between San Antonio and Houston. The Texas & New 
Orleans Railroad ran from Houston to Orange on the Sabine River; Orange con- 
nected with Morgan's Louisiana & Texas Railroad at Lafayette by means of the 
Louisiana Western Railroad; and Morgan's road connected Lafayette and New 
Orleans. The distance from El Paso to Houston is 850 miles, and from 
Houston to New Orleans is 360 miles. By arrangements with the various lines 
between Houston and New Orleans the Southern overland route from San 
Francisco to the Mississippi River was established; but the ambition of the 
California railroad builders was still unsatisfied. They must have the entire line. 
The Central Pacific people were the prime movers in all companies which were 
organized to construct the line from San Francisco, but there were stock 
holders whose interests were confined to one or more companies. The problem 
was solved by the organization of one great company, which would be composed 
of the leading share holders of all the companies in interest, and which would 
lease the several lines and operate them under one comprehensive management. 
The companies in interest were the Southern Pacific Railroad of California, the 
Southern Pacific Railroad of Arizona, the Southern Pacific Railroad of New 
Mexico, and the Central Pacific. Thus the Southern Pacific Company was 
organized to operate all the lines to New Orleans. These arrangements carried 
control of Morgan's steamship lines, covering 7276 miles of deep water traffic, 
and including eighteen iron steamships, besides a river and ferry traffic, 
equipments,"' etc. 



22 SOUTHWEST L OUJSJANA : 

Such is a brief historical sketch of the Soutliern Pacillc Railroad Company, 
which includes all the railroads through the parishes embraced in this work, ex- 
cept the Texas & Pacific road. This road passes through the northeast corner 
of the parish of St. Landry, with three or four shipping stations in the parish. 
There are no other railroads in the parishes except some short local roads of but 
a few miles in length, such as the road from Cade Station on the Southern Pa- 
cific to St. Martinsville; the road from New Iberia to the Salt Mines, and from 
Baldwin to Cypre-mort. There are, however, other contemplated roads, the most 
important of which is, and one already in process of construction, the Watkins, 
Kansas City & Northern, already graded from Lake Charles to Alexandria, and 
some of the track laid. More of it further on. 

In addition to the railroads these eight parishes have a number of navigable 
streams, lakes and bayous. The principal streams are the Atchafalaya, Calca- 
sieu and Mermentau Rivers, and the Baj-ou Teche; and Grand Lake, Spanish 
Lake, Lake Charles, Calcasieu Lake, etc. These, at a light expense, could all 
be made navigable the year round. 

Public Schools. — For the development of a country properly, a perfect sys- 
tem of public schools is required. Whenever a man thinks of emigrating to a 
new country, his first thought is, "What are the facilities for educating my chil- 
dren?" This is the one great desideratum in building up a country. One draw- 
back to the Southern country has always been a lack of educative facilities. Not 
colleges and academies, but a good system of public schools. The writer is a 
Southern man, and speaks of what he knows. A lack of a system of public 
schools has greatly retarded the growth of the South — more than any one 
cause, and has added much to keep the tide of emigration flowing westward. 
In the West, the first thing after building a cabin to shelter the family, is the 
thought of a school house, and often it is the best house in the whole township. 
A late writer has said; M If he is a benefactor of mankind who causes two blades 
of grass to grow where one grew before, the language does not furnish a name 
for him or her who promotes the cause of true education. While the school is 
established primarily for the good of the children and the preservation of the 
State, it is a fact patent to all, that the most valuable result of all education is 
the building up of good characters. This, to speak definitely, is to instil cor- 
rect principles and train in right habits. Citizens with these ' constitute a State.' 
Men and women with these are in possession of what best assures rational hap- 
piness, the end and aim of human life. '' 

Few questions are, in their bearing upon the future of the countr}-, more 
vitally important than tliis: " What are the hoys and girls reading f Increased 
attention needs to be given to the literature of the .schools, and a taste for whole- 
some reading — history, biograph}', travels, poetry, popular science, etc. — encour- 
aged, thereby lessenitiJ the demand for dime novels and low fiction. This writer 



HISlOlilCAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 



•n 



has never been in a section of country where dime novel reading is carried to 
the excess it is here. It shows a depraved taste, and will tell in future years 
upon the civilization of the State as well as upon the viciousness of tlie general 
population. 

Then if you want your country to prosper, and a new element of population 
infused into it, improve your means of education, until your system is second to 
none in the land. A country vv^ith plenty of railroad, church and educational 
facilities is bound to prosper. It can not be kept down. 

Another great advantage to a country is an enlightened press. It adds 
much to the civilization, education and refinement of any community. South- 
west Louisiana lias a press equal to almost an}'^ section of countrj^and it is doing 
much for the development and progress of it. The press is the great civiHzer of 
the country, and is a power for good. A criticism of the press is always a sure 
indication of its power and vigor, and the Texas editor who said that " news- 
papers are bad only because so manj- bad things [happen," summed up the 
philosophy of the situation. There are some twenty odd newspapers in this dis- 
trict of eight parishes, and they should constitute a power for the development 
of its resources, and should claim the united support of their readers. Dean 
Stanley, a man illustrious for his wisdom and philosophy, said: "Once archi- 
tecture was the press, and told great thoughts to the world in stone ; now the 
press is architecture and is building up the world of ideas and usages." Then 
every dollar paid to the newspaper is a dollar well invested, for unpretending 
as the sheet may be, every issue contains something worth the subscription 
price. — W. II. Perrt'n. 











'^ 



CHAPTER II. 

Parish of St. Landry — Bou.ndary and Topography — Timber and Soil — 
Water Courses — Resources, Etc. — Crop Statistics — Early Set- 
tlement So.METHING OF THE PlONEERS ThE CrEOLES InDIAN POS- 
SESSION — More Pioneer History — P.\rish Organization — St. Landry 
AS THE County of Opelousas — Where the People Voted — Roads 
AND Railroads — Agriculture — Sugar M.\king — Rice Culture — 
Churches and Schools — Opelousas — 'Its Growth and Business — 
Other Towns of the Parish — The Press — The Bench .\nd Bar — 
Pioneer Doctors — Scattered Threads, Etc. 

(^JT^O gather up the raveled tlireads of the strange stories of the lives of the people 
^'^■^ that reclaimed the Attakapas country, and that made it to " rejoice and 
'^ ''' ' blossom as the rose," to catch their fleeting traditions and fireside histories, 
and hand them down to posterity, is worth}' the ambition of any man. They were 
simple and unostentatious, and came here — many of tliem — not from choice, but 
from a force they could not resist. Sooner or later, by the pen of the wise his- 
torian, they will take their proper place in the history of their country. That 
they builded wiser than they knew, is granted. Few, if any of them, ever 
lealized in the dimmest way the transcendent possibilities that rested upon them. 
As a rule, perhaps, their lives were aimless and ambitionless, with little more of 
hope or far-reaching purposes than the savages that were their neighbors. Yet, 
there stands the fact that they followed their simple impulses, took their lives in 
tlieir hands, penetrated the desert wilderness, and with a patient energy, reso- 
lution and self-sacrifice that str.nds alone and unparalleled, they laid the founda- 
tion on wiiich rests the civilization of the empire lying in the Mississippi \^alle3'. 
When we contemplate the dangers to whicli they were constantly exposed, with 
a century and a half standing between them and us, the story seems almost in 
credible. In tlie pages following in this work it is intended, in an liumble way, 
to raise a monument to their labors and their memory. 

To a portion of the Attakapas country now known as the parish of St. 
Landr\', this chapter will be principally devoted. The original dimensions of 
the parisli, when it extended to the Sabine River on the west, are more minutely 
given in the introductory chapter of this volume. As at present circumscribed 
St. Landry contains not far from sixteen hundred square miles, and nearly 40,- 
000 inhabitants. It is bounded on the north by the parishes of Rapides and 
Avoyelles, on the east by the Atchafalaya River, on the south by the parishes of 
St. Martin, Lafayette and Acadia, and on the west by the parishes of Calcasieu 



2.S SOUTHWEST L O UJSIAXA : 

and Rapides. The following parishes have been wholl}- or in part created out 
of the original territory of St. Landry: Lafayette, Acadia, Calcasieu and Cam- 
eron. Perhaps others drew on it for a portion of their territory. 

St. Landry is pretty equally divided between prairie and woodland. Much 
the larger portion of the land is susceptible of grazing and cultivation. It is 
well watered by numerous bayous, running streams, small lakes, etc. East of 
Opelousas tlie streams flow to the Atchafalaya River, and west of the town the\' 
flow to the Vermilion River, thus forming a portage upon whicli Opelousas stand.s. 
Along the streams is fine timber, and between the belts of timber are natural 
meadows or prairies, tliose vast treeless plains so common in Southwest Loui.s- 
iaiia. They sometimes stretch away for miles and miles without a tree in sight. 
e.xcept the thick forests that bound them as the beach limits the sea, and present 
all the monotony without the dreariness of the deserts of Africa. Says Mr. 
Darby, in his work on Louisiana, published in 1817, writing upon the Opelousas 
prairie : 

" This vast expanse of natural meadow extends seventy-five miles southwest 
and northeast, and is twenty-five miles wide, containing more than 1,200,000 acres, 
exclusive of the numerous points of woods that fringe its margin on all sides. 
The prairie begins thirteen miles northwest of Opelousas, and, gradually opening 
to the southward, sends out various branches between the bayous. Here you 
behold vast herds of cattle, which afford subsistence to the natives and the inhab- 
itants of New Orleans. It is certainly one of the most agreeable views in nature 
to behold from a point of elevation tliousands of cattle and horses of all sizes, 
scattered over the intermediate meadow in wild confusion. The mind feels a 
glow of corresponding innocent enjoyment with those useful and inoffensive 
animals, grazing in a sea of plent}'. If the active horsemen that guard them 
would keep their distance, fancy would transport us backward to the pastoral 
ages. Allowing an animal to be pioduced for every five acres, more than 220,- 
000 could be yearly reared and transported from this prairie alone, which, at an 
average of ten dollars per head, would amount to two million four hundred 
thousand dollars." Mr. Darby, at the time he penned the above (in 1817) es- 
timated the herds of the greatest stock owners of the country, viz : Messrs. 
Wikoff, in the Calcasieu prairie, Fontenot, in Mamou prairie, and Andrus, in 
Opelousas prairie, at twenty thousand head. 

In the upper part of St. Landry the country is somewhat hill}-, and is "cov- 
ered with a dense forest of pine, oak, ash, walnut and other valuable forest trees. 
Here also are found some fine mineral springs, which are much resorted to by 
invalids, and possess great curative qualities. Here are considerable deposits of 
limestone, from which, for home consumption, is made very excellent lime; and 
a fine quarryof marble, which is susceptible of a beautiful polish, and is valuable 
for making into mantels, monuments, etc. * * * T\\^ soil in the middle 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 29 

and lower portion of the pArish is ex'cellent, resting on a subsoil of tine brown or 
<rreyish clay, which, when ploughed up, exposed to the weather, and mixed with 
surface soil, is as rich as the upper stratum. That subject to overflow, being 
rich alluvial, is inexhaustible, and adapted to all the products of this latitude. 
The soil of the prairies is generall}' mellow and easy of cultivation. Grass covers 
all portions of the parish, except the cultivated fields or the surface covered by 
forests or bj' water. More than half a million acres of grass in St. Landry 
is not under fence. The greater portion of the wealth of St. Landry has been 
obtained from cattle and horses on the prairies, raised without hay or shelter. 
On these prairies a hundred thousand tons of hay might be made yearly for the 
New Orleans and other markets."* 

Water Courses, etc. — As already stated, St. Landr}' is well watered and 
drained b}- its numerous streams and bayous. The Atchafalaya River, which 
borders its eastern limit, connects the parish by steamboat with the Mississippi 
River and New Orleans. The Ba^'ou Courtableau, formed b}- the junction of 
the Crocodile and Bceuf, affords good navigation to Washington the entire year, 
except a short period in summer when there is usually extreme low water. The 
Bayou Boeuf is the means of transportation for the planter, and the Crocodile for 
the lumber men The Plaquemine Brule, the Nez Pique, Mallet and Canes are 
fine streams for draining and for irrigating, but are not navigable. The Mermen- 
tau River is a navigable stream, and is formed by the junction of the Canes, 
Plaquemine Brule and Nez Pique. Vessels ascend it for more than seventy 
miles and load with lumber for outside markets, much of it going to Havana and 
to Mexican ports. Along these streams are timbered bottoms, affording the 
finest timber for all purposes of building and fencing. When the timber is 
cleared, the land, which is extremely rich, grows immense quantities of sugar, 
rice, cotton, corn, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, melons, pinnpkins, fruits, gar- 
dens, etc. No richer lands are to be found an3'where. To sum up briefly, the 
parish has nearly two hundred and fift}^ miles of navigable waters. The Morgan 
Railroad, which passes through the center of the parish, affords the planter com- 
peting rates with water transportation. 

While but little of St. Landry is subject to overflow, yet the bottoms along 
the Atchafalaj-a, and some of the bayous, now and then are overflowed, on ac- 
count of levees giving way. This, however, occurs at rare intervals. Even the 
overflowed lands may be, to some extent, converted into valuable rice planta- 
tions, which become the richest in the world. When the Mississippi and Atcha- 
fala3'a levees are made secure, some of the most valuable plantations in South- 
west Louisiana will be those in the bottom lands. 

Resources, etc. — The resources of St. Landr\' are all that the planter ouglit 
to desire. All the crops common to this latitude grow in the most bountiful pro- 

-Dnniel DcnnttI, in 1876. 



30 SOUTHWEST LOUJ.S/AXA: 

fusion. Cotton, cane, corn', rice, fruits and vegetables are produced here with 
as little expense and labor, and in as great quantity, as in an}' portion of tlie 
South. Mr. Dennett gives some statistics in his work on Louisiana, which were 
compiled with great care, and though it was done twenty years ago, when the 
products were much below what they are now, illustrates to a considerable ex- 
tent the capabilities of the country, and extracts from which will not be devoid 
of interest in this connection. " The surface cultivated in St. Landry yearly 
amounts to about 100,000 acres. About one-third of this is planted in cotton. 
Not a tenth part of the tillable land is under cultivation. With a working popu- 
lation like that of the Western States, and the same kind of cultivation, the parish 
might send to market yearl}' 100,000 bales of cotton, 50,000 hogsheads of sugar, 
75,000 barrels of molasses and rice, tobacco, broom-corn, hay, beeves, horses, 
milch cows, sheep, hogs, hides- poultr}^ eggs, rosin, turpentine, and other val- 
uable products to the amount of from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000. So varied and 
valuable resources in a climate so salubrious can hardl}' be found anywhere else 
on the face of the earth. *«***»# 

Elbci't Gaiifs Exfcrieuce. — " The following statement we copy from a 
pamphlet published in Opelousas in 1869: ' I employed the past year twent^'-two 
hands, to-wit : fifteen men, two boys and five women. Had in ninety acres of 
cane, one hundred acres of corn, and one hundred acres of cotton, besides sev- 
eral acres in potatoes and gardens, with the following result: 
Ground fifty-eight acres of cane in eighteen da3'S, making one hundred 

and eight hogsheads of one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds 

each, which sold at ten cents $13,000 

I made two hundred gallons of molasses, equal to eight thousand gallons, 

at seventy cents 5,600 

Also seven thousand seven hundred bushels of corn 2,100 

Also eighty-six bales of cotton, equal to thirty-eight thousand pounds, 

at twent3'-two cents 8.514- 

Gross receeipts $29,214 

JMy total expenses for provisions, repairs, hire of hands, sugar maker, 

hogsheads and barrels were $10,000 

Which deducted from the gross income, leaves me net $19,214 

' Elbert Gant." 

" In St. Landry, 1300 pounds of seed cotton to the acre, or about 400 
pounds of lint, is a fair yield. In the true cotton zone, which is al-iove the lati- 
tude of this parish, about 32 deg. north, 1800 pounds of seed cotton maj- be 
produced, or 600 pounds of lint. While it is admitted that the cotton plant is 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. :)I 

liable to injury from insects, still, in the main, as many full crops are made as 
of an}- other product of the soil, and the chances of success are bj' many thought 
to l)e as favorable in this branch of industrj' as any which engage the farmer. 

" One hogshead of sugar and sixty gallons of molasses may be considered 
an ordinary yield per acre in this parish ; but we are assured by a gentleman for 
whose veracity we have high respect, that twenty-five hogsheads of sugar have 
been produced in St. Landry from six acres of ground. That is the best yield 
that has ever been known in any sugar producing parish of the State. Sixtv 
gallons of molasses usually drain from a hogshead of sugar. Commercial 
manures will doubtless largely increase the average yield of sugar in all tiiese 
parishes, and the facts hold good in regard to cotton and other crops. 

" The yield of corn in St. Landry is about thirty-five bushels to the acre. 
Potatoes, sweet and Irish, well cultivated, from 250 to 300 bushels to the acre. 
Pumpkins, peas, beans, pindars, broom corn, etc., give heavy returns, but 
owing to the fact that no one ever has made note of the yield of these crops per 
acre, correct statistics of them have never been recorded. 

"The cotton crop of St. Landry in 1869 was about 20,000 bales. But 
little sugar was made. The crop was short, and the planters have been more 
inclined to cultivate cotton than sugar since the war. Not more than a thousand 
hogsheads of sugar and fifteen hundred barrels of molasses were made in the 
parish. Most of the cotton planters made a bale of cotton to the acre. 

•' Fruits do well in St. Landr}', but little attention, however, is paid to fruit 
culture. Peaches, apples, pears, plums, figs, grapes, quince, blackberries, 
strawberries, dewberries, may-apple, persimmon, may-haw and pawpaw, all grow 
in the parish. Oranges ma\- be successfullj- raised to some extent in the southern 
part. 

"The number of cattle in St. Landry in 1S69 is estimated at 60,000 head ; 
horses at 15,000; mules at 3500; sheep 3000; number of hogs large, but not 
known." 

The reader will bear in mind that these statistics were compiled in 1869, 
and while the general yield of crops per acre are much the same now, the acre- 
age is largely increased. Fruit culture also is receiving much more attention, 
and the number of animals is greater. There are a number of stock farms in 
the parish that are devoting much attention to improvement of stock; the conse- 
quence is. that a better class of animals are to be seen throughout the parish 
than in former j'ears. 

The crops of St. Landry for the past year (1890) surpasses, perhaps, tliose 
of any year of its existence, but at the present writing complete statistics can 
not be given, as the crops are not all in. The rice crop, how^ever, is so nearly 
delivered as to venture a pretty correct estimate. 



32 SOl'T/ZU'ESr L OUISIANA : 

Mr. A. Levy, of Opelousiis, gives the following of the rice crop, and its in- 
crease of recent years : 

" Rice has been grown in St. Landry parish for many 3'ears past, but ver}- 
little, if any, was marketed, owing to the poor quality of seed used, a lack of 
facilities for shipping, and the ignorance of the planters as to its value. In 18S4 
a few sacks were shipped from Opelousas ; in 1886 about 16,000 sacks were 
shipped, and the increase has continued from year to year, until this \'ear's crop 
(1890) will reach, at Opelousas alone, 125,000 sacks, which will average $3.50 
per sack, amounting to the sum total of $437,500. All rice planters who have 
taken the necessar\' precaution to supply themselves with water for irrigation, or 
whose locations make their places natural rice farms, have made considerable 
money during the past two years." 

Of the increase in the sale of farming implements, Mr. Levy gives for his 
firm alone, J. Meyers & Co., the following: " The sale of plows, harrows, reap- 
ers, threshers and engines used for the culture and harvest of rice and other 
crops, including wagons, has kept pace with the increase of products, and for 
the 3-ears 1886 to 1890 are about as follows: 

12 steam threshers and portable engines, about $14,000 00 

50 reapers and binders ■ 8,000 00 

40 harvesters and seeders -oOO 00 

300 two and four-horse wagons 12 ,000 00 

Stationar}^ engines and boilers, and otiier machinery used for cotton, 

rice and cane crops, besides extra number ot plows, etc., about. . 20,000 00 

"I append to this," says Mr. Lev}^ " a memorandum of the crop made last 
3'ear (1890) by quite a young man and his wife. I can vouch for the truth of 
the figures, as I purchased, for my firm, the rice and cotton. This is no excep- 
tional case, either, in St. Landry parish : 

384 barrels of rice $ i , 250 00 

I barrel of syrup 15 00 

400 barrels of corn 

2500 pounds of cotton — 5 bales 200 00 

50 barrels sweet potatoes 50 00 

Raised on 55 arpents $1,675 00 

All expenses were , 1,200 00 

Net income .^ $475 00 

The above is given as the transactions of a single house in Opelousas. 
When it is remembered that there are several houses engaged similarly, and that, 
not only in Opelousas, but in Washington and other points in the parish, the ma 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 33 

nitude of the farming interests are not diflicult to realize. Otlier facts and stat's- 
tics will be j,'iven under the head of agriculture. 

Early Settlement. — The settlement of St. Landry parish dates back to a 
period be3'ond the personal knowledge of any now living. Its population has 
been drawn from many sources. For years the possession of Louisiana 
alternated between the Spaniard and the Frenchman, the successors of the red 
Indians. To-da}', we find in St. Landry, French, Creoles, Acadians, Span- 
iards, Canadians, an occasional Indian, Scotchman and Englishman, Germans, 
Italians, Israelites, Swiss, etc. Further, we find representatives from half 
the States of the Union. From North and South Carolina; from Georgia, Ala- 
bama, Mississippi and Florida; from Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky; with 
now and then a family from "bleak New England's shores." Of late years 
large importations are being received from Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, 
Nebraska, and other States of the Northwest. No inconsiderable element of the 
population of St. Landry is the " man and brother," who, as one of the results 
of the late civil war, has been placed upon political equality and elevated to the 
rights of statesmanship. Added to all these, we occasionally meet with a de- 
graded remnant of the " noble red men," once the sole owners of the soil, drag- 
ging out a miserable existence by the sufferance of their conquerors. 

From old records of "churcliand State," and from descendants, the follow- 
ing names of early settlers in St. Landr}^ parish have been obtained : Theoph- 
ilus Collins, D. J. Sutton, Louis Chevalier DeVillier, Claude Guilliory, Fran- 
cois Brignac, Pierre Doucet, Baptiste Vidren, Michel Cauman, Joseph Daigle, 
Honou Delachaise, William Shields, Perin Malveau, Jacques Fontenot, Pedro 
ii'ontenot, Antoine Fontenot, Joaquin Ortega, C. Voorhies, Flouintin Poiret, 
Simon Hook, Adam Tate, Jean Baptiste Figurant, Leonard Claiborne, Jean 
Henry Lastraps, Wm. Haslett, Leonard Claiborne, James Reed, Auguste Soi- 
leau, Wm. Blake, George King, Antoine Marcelin, Jonathan Seaman, John Mc- 
Daniel, Soileau Fuselin, George Hudson, John Bourg, Isaac Baldwin, William 
Wikoff, Joseph Andrus, Louis Fontenot, Theophilus Elmer, Benjamin Smith, 
Daniel Calligan, John Tear, Christopher Adams, Austin Blard, Joseph Roy, 
William O'Dorrigan, Patrick Jurinet, Baptiste Marithon, Antoine Simeon, J. B. 
Fiourant, Chas. Lacasse, Rewleu T. Sacket, John Lee, Michel Armand, Au- 
gustin Fruge, Joseph Lejuene, Joseph Landry, Michel Peraiilt, Joseph Young, 
Sr., John Fruge, Michel Prud'homme, John Bihn, John B. Young, Frederick 
Miller, Jacques Fontenot, Antoine Boisedore, Joseph C. Poree, Joseph Bein, 
Philip Lacasse, Joseph Moreau, Martin Donato, Joseph Armand, Louis Carrier, 
Francois Lemel, Joseph A. Parrot, Chas. Norman, John Gradnigo, Josepli 
Johnson, John B. David, Charles Johnson, Joseph Cormier, George Bollard, 
John Dinsmore, Joseph Grange, Pierre Richard, Baptiste Tisenau, Blaise Bas- 
seur, Hubert Janney, Jacques Roman, Charles Barre, Luke Hollier, John Midler, 



3 1 SOUTHirEST LOUISIANA : 

Martin Durald, Jiio. B. Staley, Bennet Jopline, Michel Canier, John Frazee, Fian- 
coivS Roze,Thos. Bedsoe, Pierre Gourrinat, Thomas Lee Brun,ChantilaRouvassa, 
Daniel Clark, S3'lvanie Saunier, Louis Logee, Pierre Frahain, Col. Francois 
Neda, Jacques Dupre, Col. Williarn Oftet, Gen. Garriques, J. J. Louaillier, 
Francois Audillard, Louis Vauhille, Pierre Louis Cahaune, Francois De Villier, 
^Lij. John Preston, etc. These are some of the names of early settlers in what 
15 now the parish of St. Landrj'. They are taken from the early records, and 
many of them now, particularly those who are without descendants in the parish 
have passed out of remembrance of any now living. But of a number of them 
some interesting reminiscences have been obtained. 

Gen. John Preston was a Virginian, and came to this parish many years 
aL;o. He was a man of vast wealth, and brought a large number of slaves here 
with liim. He became an extensive planter, and was a man of considerable 
prominence in the community. He was a fine specimen of the Virginia gentle- 
man of the past centuiy, and was related to some of the ablest and most influen- 
tial families of that State and Kentucky, notably those of the Breckinridge^, 
Cabells, Pattons, etc. He died many years ago. 

Joseph Andrews, an early settler, was a hatter by trade; made hats of furs 
of different animals found here ; made fine fur hats of rabbit skins which would 
last a man a lifetime. He accumulated great wealth, and was well thought of 
by all. 

Celestin La Vergen was a native of France, and was very wealthy; he owned 
a great deal of land, large numbers of slaves, and was an extensive planter. He 
was eccentric, honest, high toned and popular. He decided, after a residence of 
many years in St. Landry, to revisit his native France, and spent a week packing 
and arranging his trunks, which outnumbered those of a modern Saratoga belle. 
Upon his arrival in the old country, the customs officers in making an examina- 
tion of liis trunks emptied out the contents, and then told him, when satisfied 
thej^ contained nothing contraband, that he could take them and go on his way. 
"No, sir," said he, "I will not receive them until j'ou replace everj'thing as 

you found it. You pack them as they were and send them to me , 

Paris," and he made the customs officer repack them. 

Michel Prud'homme was an early settler, a good Catholic, and a man of broad 
and liberal benevolence. He gave four acres of ground to the Catholic church of 
Opelousas, where it is now located. His father was a Hessian soldier, and came 
to the United States as a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary 
War. His good sense, and sympathy for a people struggling for liberty, prompted 
him to leave the army by fair means or foul, and it is said he withdrew 
without leave. He had been sold by his own prince to the English monarch 
to help crush out the rebellion among the American patriots, and his nature i-e- 
volted at the idea. He came to Lousiana and settled in St. Landry. He would 



i 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 35 

never gi\"e his true name, but admitted it was not originall}' Prud'homme, but 
that the latter had been assumed to disguise his identit}'. He was somewhat 
illiterate — could not read or write — but was not ignorant, and became very 
wealthy. 

Louis Chevalier de Villier, Francois de Villier, Baldwin and Major 

John Klose were early settlers. The last named died just before the late war. 
He was in the battle at New Orleans in 1815. He was a wealthy planter in 
early years. Francois de Villier settled about ten miles in the country from 
Opelousas, and has descendants still living in that section of the parish. 

About 1800, a number of families came from France, who fled from the hor- 
rors of the French revolution. Among these were Louis and J. J. Louaillier and 
Florentin Poiret. J. J. Louaillier was the first merchant in Opelousas, and sold 
goods in the place when it was but a French post, and a station for soldiers to 
protect the citizen from the savages. 

Major William Prescott came from Kentucky early in the present centur}'. 
He was a very wealthy man and brought a great many slaves with him. He planted 
on a large scale and made money. He turned his attention to politics, and served 
boih in the State Senate and in the House of Representatives. He was a man 
of education and intelligence, was ver}- popular, and described as a tj-pical old 
Kentucky gentleman; had a high sense of honor, and despised a low, mean act. 

Col. Francois Neda was from Spain, and came here about the close of the 
last or at the beginning of the present century. He had been a soldier under the 
Spanish government, and was an accomplished officer. He was one of the early 
merchants of Opelousas, was several times Mayor of the town and altogether a 
man of much local prominence. He owned a large plantation in the parish, well 
stocked with slaves, and had the respect of the entire community. 

Col. William and Nathaniel Offutt were natives of Kentucky, and belonged 
to the intellectual Offutt family of the Blue-grass State. Col. Offutt owned a 
large plantation and a number of slaves. He was finally killed by one of his 
negroes. His brother was also a wcaltli}' planter. Jacques Clement Hollier was 
born in New Orleans in 1776: came to this parish and died in Opelousas at the 
age of eighty-one years. 

Col. Benjamin Rogers was a prominent man in the early times of St. Landry. 
He served several terms in the Legislature, and lield other important positions. 
He and three of his friends were once sued for libel. They were defended by 
Hon. Sergeant S. Prentiss, the brilliant and eloquent Southern orator, who spoke 
tliree days on the case, and succeeded in having his clients acquitted. Robert 
Rogers, the father of Col. Rogers, was an early settler of the parish. He was 
from Kentucky, and brought his old Kentucky rifle with him, and, like Daniel 
Boore, he knew how to use it. It is told of him that he was once challenged to 
fight a duel, and, as the challenged part}- had the choice of weapons, he chose 



■m; soryvjUAsy' Lor/sj.-LVA: 

rifles, whicli so friylUoned l!nj challenj^er he withdrew iiis belHgerent proposi- 
tion. 

The Dupres were a prominent family. The original, pioneer, and tirst of 
the family in the parish was Jacques. He was at one lime Lieutenant Governor 
of the State. He took great interest in politics and wielded considerable influ- 
ence. Representatives of the family still live in the parish. He is mentioned 
in connection with the bar of St. Landry. 

Gen. Garriques was an early settler and a ver}' prominent man. He was in 
the battle of New Orleans in January, 1815. Charles Garriques was a son. A 
number of prominent and wealthy families came with Gen. Garriques. Francois 
Audillard was an early settler. He also was at the battle of New Orleans. Gen. 
Jackson placed him under arrest on the charge of being a traitor, but afterward 
discovered his mistake and released him. 

The Fontenots were also a prominent familj', and a numerous one, and pos- 
sessed great wealth. Many of them still live in the parish, and are among the 
wealthy and influential citizens. Such were some of the first settlers who came 
to St. Landry. Except the Spanish and French soldiers, they were the tirst 
white men to tread the soil of Louisiana. 

Longevity. — Mr. Dennett gives some interesting statistics of longevity in 
St. Landry parish that show pretty conclusively the healthfulness of the climate. 
He says: " By the assistance of intelligent citizens of St. Landry, we have a 
list of names of white persons in Opelousas and the parish above the age ot 
sixty-five years. We find that there are twenty-two in Opelousas, and fift}--six 
in other parts of the parish, making seventy-eight in the parish of St. Landr_v, 
above the age of sixty-two, the oldest having arrived at the remarkable age of 
one hundred and eighteen years. In Opelousas there are forty-one white persons 
between the ages of fifty and sixty-five j'ears, and doubtless there are others who 
belong to the list, but we have been unable to obtain their names. A partial list 
of these aged ones is as follows : 

" The widow V. Dufrene lives about fifteen njiles from Opelousas, and 
has attained the age of one hundred and eighteen years. She weighs less tlian 
one hundred pounds, is tall, straight, has a very good eyesight and walks briskly 
for one of her age. Joseph Cheasson, alias Joannes, died several years ago in 
this parish at the advanced age of nearly one hundred and thirty 3-ears. When 
he was one hundred and fifteen j'ears old he moved to Texas, and after living in 
that State several years returned to St. Landry. Mr. Thomas died in- this par- 
ish several ye us since at the age of over one hundred years ; Joseph Young died 
in this parish thirty 3?ears ago, aged about one hundred and fifteen years. He 
married at the age of ninety years and his wife had a son whom he lived to see 
married. His widow still lives in St. Landry. Mrs. Blaize died a few j'ears 
since, aged nearly one hundred years; Mrs. Daigle, aunt of Mr. Choteau, who 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 37 

has a lease of the Avery salt mines, died in Opelousas, aged nearl\- one hundred 
years : Jesse Audrus, aged ninety, and Maj. John Clac, aged ninety, died recently. 
A respectable physician informed us that Madame Guillory, an old lady of St. 
Landr}', before her death, could count up over eight hundred lineal descendants, 
all blood relations. Mr. Joseph Langley, ninety-five years old, lived in St. Landry 
forty-two years; his twelve children are all living. He had no phj-sician in his 
family for tvventj'-five years." 

The Creoles. — A large element of the population, not only of St. Landr\-, 
but of the whole Attakapas district, is what is commonly called Creoles. "The 
impression seems to prevail in many sections of the country," says a late writer, 
" that Creoles are a mixture of the white, negro and Indian races. This is a mis- 
take. Webster defines Creole z.^, first, ' Properly created, nursed, grown up.' 
Second, ' One born in the West Indies or America of European parents,' Third, 
' Born within or near the tropics, of any color.' 

"'The first definition given is purely philological. 

" The second and third definitions are those derived from usage. 

'• Here in Southwest Louisiana we have still another definition, derived from 
local usage, which is, ' a descendant of any degree from French, Spanish or 
Acadian parentage.' The main body of those who are called ' Creoles " here 
are only such under this last definition. They are not born of European pa- 
rents, nor within the tropics, but are descendants of the Acadians who came 
here from Canada in A. D. 1755. They are a quiet, hospitable people, and 
wiiile their educational advantages have been limited, they are not by any means 
wholly an illiterate people. Many of them can read and write well, and some of 
them are classical scholars. The}' are almost universall}'- alive to the importance 
of educating tiieir children and are starting and sustaining schools in every place 
where they can be sustained. The true Creoles are among the most intelligent 
and substantial citizens of the South. They give great attention to the education 
of their children, but have been heretofore giving their attention and patronage 
to private schools. 

" Since the influx of Northern immigrants into this country, and the agitation 
of the public school question by them, the 'Creoles' have taken hold of this 
question w-ith them, and are working together with them in these lines. 

" Northern people are almost invariabl}' agreeably surprised when they 
come to know the ' Creoles " well. They find them warm hearted and accom- 
modating and social, and soon get to liking them w-ell." 

The Indians. — If not the first settlers the Indians were the first possessors 
and the original owners of the "Opelousas country." As a late writer puts it, 
" the land of enchanting scener}', of beautiful bayous and glassy lakes and bays; 
of splendid prairies and noble forests; of pleasant skies and gentle breezes; the 
land of flowers, of beauty, and of health," — yes, this fairy land was once the 



38 SO UTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

home of the red man and his kindred. But he is rapidly disappearing before 
the advancing tide of civiHzation and refinement. They are, as a race, doomed 
by the inexorable laws of humanit}- to speedy and everlasting extinguishment. 
But less than a hundred years ago the combined strength of the red man 
might have driven the white into the sea. Fifty years hence, if not in a mucli 
sliorter period, he will live onl}' in the pages of history and the brighter immor- 
tality of romantic song and story — such as is found in the sentimental pages of 
Fennimore Cooper. He will leave nothing behind him, for he has done nothing 
— btfen nothing. The greatest redeeming feature in his career is that he has 
always preferred the worst sort of freedom to the best sort of slavery. Had he 
constrnted to become " a hewer of wood and drawer of water" for the " supe- 
rior race," he might, like our Americanized Africans, be now enjoying the 
blessings of Bible and breeches, sharing the honors of citizenship and the 
delights of office, seeking and receiving the bids of rival political parties 
Whether his ciioice was a wise one is left to the reader in his wisdom to deter- 
mine; but it is impossible not to feel some admiration for the indomitable spirit 
that has never bowed its neck to the yoke, never called any man "master." 
The Indian is a savage, but he never was, never will be a slave. 

When resisting the encroachments of the whites upon his hunting grounds 
he has been characterized as a fiend, a savage, a barbarian (all of which he is), 
whom we might rob, mistreat and even murder at will. This whole North Amer- 
ican land was the Indian's. How it became his is no business of ours, nor is it 
material to this subject. It is ours now, and whether we obtained it in a more 
lionorable way than did the Indians before us, is a question tliat has two sides to 
it. We have driven him from the Atlantic Ocean to the distant shores of tlie 
Pacific, where he hears the roar of the waves that must ere long close over him 
forever. A few more such outbreaks as that of the present in the Northwest, 
and his fate will be unalterably settled. Even now he may, in the figurative 
language of Sprague, " read his doom in the setting sun." 

In the chapter introductory to this work is a brief sketch of the Indians who 
originall}' inhabited this region, with something of their legends and traditions. 
There were plent}' of Indians here when the first settlements were made. An 
old gentleman of Opelousas informed the writer that witliin his recollection there 
could be seen in the streets of Opelousas more Indians than there can be seen 
negroes at the present day, which would indicate the}' were rather plentiful in 
those early times. 

More of Pioneer History. — The attempt to settle tliese beautiful lands was 
not without its perils and dangers. But the}- were such that the Jesuit priest and 
the Capuchin monk did not shrink from them. Bearing aloft the Cross they 
went forth to convert the savage and reclaim the wilderness. But nothwith- 
standing the many dangers by which they were constantly surrounded, their 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ;;<J 

glowing accounts of a land, figuratively, at least, "flowing with wine and milk and 

honey," soon attracted followers to them. Brave hearts were found, willing to 

leave tlieir patrimonial houses even in " Sunny France," and hazard their lives 

amid the frowning forests and wild prairies of Southwest Louisiana. 

To picture in the imagination a more lonesome and dreary waste than a 

country without a human habitation is not an easy task. The broad expanse of 

prairie stretching away bsyond the power of vision, and the gloomy forests 

almost impenetrable to man, is not very inviting, beautiful though the land ma}' be. 

Often in autumn, when the leaves and grass became sere, the plains, for the 

better facilities for hunting, were burned over, and the atmosphere, filled with 

smoke from these fires, darkening the face of day, hung like mourning drapery 

upon the horizon. Recalling the days when monotonous solitude was all that 

was here, is to modern people but ringing the changes on the story of the " Lost 

Mariner," when the poet tells us he was 

" Alone, alone, all, all alone. 
Upon the wide, wide sea." 

If great and beneficent results are the proper measure of the good men to 
do, then who is there in the world's history that may take their places above the 
settlers of St. Landry and the surroundmg countr}'? To point the way for the 
present advancing civilization was the great work of these adventurous people. 
For the grand simplicity of their lives they achieved recognition and fame, -as 
Enoch Arden did, after death. Sneer at them as we may, yet, in their little 
space of time, they made greater progress than ten centuries had witnessed be- 
fore them. The work thirty generations had not done, they did, and the 
abyss between those of to-day and the old French, Spaniards and Acadians, 
is wider and more profound than the chasm between 1815 and the battle of Hast- 
ings. Then their names and their fame should not be allowed to pass into obliv- 
ion and contempt. Should it be so, the act would stamp their descendants as 
"degenerate sons of noble sires," unworthy the inheritance they gave them. 

To say that in this work it is proposed to write the histor}', in the broad and 
large meaning of that word, would be a careless use of language — would be 
promising more t^ian it is possible to do; for history in the true sense is philoso- 
phy in the highest type, teaching by example. But to gather such facts, inci- 
dents, statistics, circumstances, etc., trifling or important, and place them in a 
ciurable form and transmit them, ready to hand, to the future and real historian 
is all that one can hope to do in a manner satisfactory. To tell their simple 
annals, to secure something of the "substance ere the shadows wholly fade " 
is enough to attempt now. 

Parish of Saint Landry. — The territory originally embraced in the parish 
of St. Landr}% as has bten already stated, was almost an empire of itself. Col. 
Voorhies, of St. jNIartinsvillc, tells how this portion of the State was once 



40 sorrini 'est l ouisiana -. 

called the Attakapas Countiy, and how, as its 'population and wealth in 
creased, it was divided and subdivided, forming new districts under new names 
and titles. More than a century ago it was the District of Attakapas and Territorj' 
of Orleans. In 1805 the Territory of Orleans was divided into ten counties, one 
of which was called the County of Opelousas. For several 3'ears it bore this 
title. The old records in the clerk's office show the heading — "County of 
Opelousas and Territorj- of Orleans" — to all docurq^nts, such as deeds, wills and 
other testamentary records. On the 8th of June, 1807, the County of Opelousas 
is dropped from the records, and Parish of St. Landry is substituted in its place; 
but for man}' j'ears afterward the Territor}' of Orleans was kept up. Finally, 
the Territory of Orleans is dropped, and it became, as now, the Parish of Saint 
Landr\-. 

When Saint Landr}- was the count}' of Opelousas the town of Opelousas 
was the capital of a large district. The scattered settlers from the Atchafalaya 
River on the east to the Sabine and the Calcasieu on the west were under the 
necessity of going to Opelousas to vote and to attend the cpurts of the district. 
Appreciating the fact tiiat the undertaking, for that day, was an onerous one, 
they strove to combine pleasure with business. When, for instance, an interest- 
ing and stirring campaign was inaugurated our pioneer fathers took pretty much 
the same interest in it we do to-day. They would, as the election drew nigh, 
make their preparations to attend it. A number of them would get together 
when time came to start, and, well supplied with the necessaries of life, mount 
tJieir horses or broncho ponies, and start on the eventful journey. From a week 
to ten daws were required to make the trip, cast their ballots and return. As 
there were no houses or taverns along the route they would camp where night 
overtook them, and, "with the green earth for a couch and the blue sky for a 
covering,"" they would " repose themselves" till the morning light aroused them, 
wlien, partaking of their " frugal fare," they would mount and resume tlieir 
joiirne}'. 

This will seem strange to many, but it is nevertheless true. There are 
those still living who well remember the occurrences of these periodical trips ot 
the western citizens to the capital to exercise their rights of freemen, to cast their 
ballots for the men of their choice. Their journeys were not devoid of pastime 
and excitement. They would hunt, cook their fresh meats, and around the 
camp lires tell stories of wilderness life, perhaps gamble a little by way of re- 
lieving the tedium of their encampment. Upon their return to their homes they 
had much to tell. As Charles Dudley Warner says, in his interesting article 
on the Acadian Land: "To the women and home-stayers it was an event. The 
men had been to the outer world and brought back with them the news and 
gossip of the capital, and the simple incidents of their camping on the road." 
The details of the trip afforded a delightful entertainment for many an evening 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 41 

around the fireside. But as settlei lents increased, and new parishes formed and 
new towns laid out, these exciting episodes ceased by voting places being estab- 
lished nearer home. A few of these old landmarks still remain, and delight 'to 
fight their battles o'er again," and shake their heads and say, "the old times 
were better tiian these." The writer has heard them tell of these early scenes, 
and in the excitement the recital inspired, they almost seemed to grow young 

again. But 

" Long years have flown over these scenes of the past, 
And many have turned gray in the winter's cold blast, 
While others onl^' dream of the times that are gone; 
They are bent by the years that are fast rolling on." 

Highways, Railroads, Etc. — St. Landry is significant for good roads in 
good weather, but when considerable rain falls they become almost impassable, 
that is to say, "when the}^ are good they are very good, and when they are bad 
they are horrid." The first roads of the parish were the trails made by the 
Indians through the forests and prairies. The trails, the highest effort of his 
genius at internal improvement and the tj'pe of his highest civilization, were the 
paths along which lie pursued his game or his enemy, or took his stealthy march 
from point to point. The first roads were laid out on the trails, or rather the trails 
were made into roads by common use, until the tide of immigration swelled the 
population and necessitated more roads and better ones, when they were improved 
by the hand of tlie white man, and others made to the different communities. 
Like all the early improvements of this section, road making progressed slowlv, 
and even at this day the roads are nothing beyond common "dirt roads." In dry, 
fair weather they are good, none better ; but on the other hand, in protracted wet 
weather, well, the bottom literally falls out. Turnpikes and macadamized roads 
seem to be among the lost arts in Southwest Louisiana, or among those not yet 
discovered. There is only one thing more to add of the public roads in St. 
Landry. It is but a repetition of the same old tale of the Arkansaw Traveler: 
"Neighbor, why don' j^ou cover your house?" " 'Cause its raining." " Why 
don't you cover it when it ain't raining?" " 'Cause it don't need it then." 

Railroads are a more important factor. Nothing adds more to the wealth, 
power and commerce of a country than railroads. No country ever yet had too 
many railroads. Several railroad projects were contemplated in this section of 
the State before one was carried through to successful completion. Morgan's 
Louisiiina Railroad and the Texas & Pacific pass through St. Landrj- parish. 
There is nothing so far as St. Landry is interested that at all compares with the 
building of tliese railroads. All other things are merely events; some of them 
of great importance, and others of less importance, but all placed together are 
insignificant to these railroad enterprises. The railroads of Southwest Louisiana, 
and the waterwaA's that can easily be rendered navigable, witii enterprise to back 
them up, ought to place every known market of the world accessible to this 



4 2 SOUTH WES T LO UlSJA XA : 

rich and productive country. In a preceding chapter, a more detailed liistory 
of raih'oads penetrating the parishes embraced in this volume is given, and to it 
the reader is referred. 

Agriculture. — This is the one great calling in which the people of St. Lan- 
dry are more interested than any other. Agriculture is the source of prosperity 
of all trades and professions. It is the parent of all industries, and as such 
claims precedence. From it have gone forth the brawn and brain that have sub- 
dued the earth, built cities, chained the lightning, linked the continents and 
"made all the world akin." All thriving interests, all prosperous industries, all 
trades and professions receive their means of support either directly or indirect!)' 
tlirough agriculture. It is, therefore, by right of primogeniture and paramoimt 
importance the most indispensable of all other industries. 

The progress of agriculture was slow and made little progress for many 
years after settlements were commenced in this section. The early planters had 
few implements of husbandrj-, and they of the rudest kind. One of the chief 
implements was the hoe. In planting lime, an inch or two of the top of the 
ground was scratched off with a plow that, compared with the improved plows 
of the present day, scarcely deserved the name. The crops were plan^-d and 
the cultivation was done principally with a hoe. At first little was ra . ' ex- 

cept cane and indigo, but the latter proving to be somewhat unprolltable, cane 
became the staple crop. The following newspaper article will be found of inter- 
est to the sugar planter: 

"Producing sugar from cane is one of the most important industries of 
Louisiana ; and yet this industry is in its infancy. True, sugar has been pro- 
duced here for many years, but it has been done in a crude, unscientific way, by 
which fully one-half of the saccharine matter has been lost in manufacturing. 

"Recently there have been wonderful developments in this direction. The 
discoveries and inventions of the last few years that have made it possible to pro 
duce sugar from sorghum, in paying quantities, have improved the processes of 
manufacturing the Southern cane into sugar in such a way as to double the profits 
of the business. 

" Under the old processes of cultivation and manufacturing, with the three- 
roller mills and open kettles, the cost of producing cane and sugar was about as 
follows: It required one acre of cane to plant four acres, and one planting would 
last three years; so it required one-twelfth of the crop for seed. The average 
production under this system was twenty tons of cane. This made an average 
of 2209 pounds of sugar and three barrels of molasses per acre. The sugar was 
worth 4!/^ cents per pound, or $99 per acre. The molasses was worth $20 per 
barrel, or $60, making the production of one acre bring an average of $159. 
Deducting one-twelfth for seed, we still have $145.66 for every acre of cane pro- 
duced. It cost to produce and manufacture, etc., an average as follows: To 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 43 

cultivate, $12 per acre; fertilizer, $5 per acre; to manufacture, $15 per acre; or 
$32 per acre all told. Deducting this from the $145.66, we have as the net 
profits $113.66 per acre. 

"Under the new system, which includes improved machinery for cultivating 
and manufacturing and better drainage, etc., the results are simply astounding. 
The average per acre under this system is as follows: Twenty-eight and one-half 
tons of cane per acre, producing 225 pounds of sugar per ton, or 64121^ pounds 
per acre, worth 514^ cents per pound, or $336.65. Besides this, it produced five 
barrels of molasses, worth $7.50 per barrel, or $37.50 per acre; total per acre, 
$374.15. Deducting one-twelfth for seed, we still have $342.77 per acre. The 
cost of cultivating and of manufacturing under this system is about the same as 
under the old system ; but allowing $10.97 more for expense, we have as the net 
proceeds of one acre $300. These figures look large, but they can be verified fully. 
One of our responsible citizens offered to enter into bonds with a Northern man 
who was skeptical, to pay the expenses of a man, and pay him $100 per day in in- 
vestigating, if he did not find the above figures correct and fully proved. The 
question arises at once, when these facts are claimed, why has not every man got 
rich who is in the sugar business? The answer to this is that the above results 
are obtainable with good, honest laborers; and the most of the work heretofore 
in this country has been done by negro labor, which is generally very imperfect. 
If we had the industrious farmers of the Northwest to cultivate the lands, selling 
their cane to the mills at $4 to $5 per ton, which is the ruling price, this coun- 
try would produce more wealth than any other State in the Union." 

Since the war there has been a rapid advance in every branch of agriculture, 
not only in the mode of farming, but in the cultivation of crops almost unknown 
here twenty-five or thirty years ago. Rice is fast becoming a staple crop in this 
section of the State. Says a late writer on rice culture: " Every farmer should 
plant more or less rice. An acre of land can generally be found on the farm un- 
suited for any other crop, and can be utilized by planting it in rice, and will pro- 
duce from forty to sixty bushels, perhaps as much as 800 pounds of clean rice. 
This 800 pounds of clean rice will go further in a family of children toward 
feeding them on wholesome food than any other production from the same amount 
of land. It is safe to say that no crop will yield a greater amount of food for 
the amount of labor and land used to produce it. 

"There are many farmers, however, who have no lands that can be flooded, 
but this will not prevent them from growing rice. It may easily be grown on 
upland, using the same seed that you would on lowland. There are different 
varieties of rice, but no distinct species. The rice grown by irrigation, if 
planted on upland, is upland rice. A planter last spring, after he had planted 
his rice and it had come up to a stand, had a very hard rain which threw down 
his levees. He put them up again, but had no way of flooding his rice, which 
4 



44 SO urn WES T LO UISIANA : 

grew to maturity without any water or cultivation, and made a very iair crop. 
If planted in rows two and a half feet apart and worked one time while small, it 
makes an excellent quality of rice. It is best to plant about the middle of March 
or the first of April, but it has been planted much earlier, and may be planted as 
late as June and mature before frost. When rice lands can be obtained that can 
be flooded as easily and as cheaply as some in this section, it makes it very 
profitable to grow rice, and b)^ the use of machinery in reaping and planting, 
large fortunes may be made at this industry." 

Every year St. Landry and all the surrounding countrj^have been increasing 
rapidly in the diversity of crops. Few farmers now confine themselves to a single 
crop, but raise cane, cotton, too, and perhaps, rice, corn, potatoes, etc., while 
many raise fruits successfully. 

Churches, Schools, Etc. — The religious historj^ of the parish of St. Landr\- 
is nearljr as old as its settlement by white people, for churches were establislied 
soon after white people came to the country. In 1777 a Catholic church was 
organized near where the town of Washington now stands. It is claimed to be 
the first church established in Southwest Louisiana, and perhaps the first in the 
State. This pioneer church is the same that is now in Opelousas, known as St. 
Landr3''s Catholic Church, and years later, when the county of Opelousas was 
extinguished by the formation of parishes, this became the parish of St. Landry, 
in honor of the first church in the country. The church records, from its organ- 
ization in 1777, to December 18. 1803, are in Spanish; after that they are in 
French. The church was originally organized by the Capuchins, or religious 
priests of Spain. 

As stated, the church was originally established near where Washington 
now stands, but some years later, in consequence of a donation of four acres of 
land to the church by the old pioneer Michel Prud'homme, a rude wooden 
building was put up for church purposes, and Saint Landry's Church was then 
permanently established in Opelousas. All the Catholic parishes and churches 
of Southwest Louisiana are offshoots of this old church and that at St. Martins- 
ville. More particulars are given of this pioneer church in connection with the 
town of Opelousas. 

The first Protestant minister in Southwest Louisiana was Rev. Joseph Willis, 
and he preaclied the first Protestant sermon in November, 1804, at Vermilion. 
He was a mulatto, born and reared in South Carolina, but showed scarcely a 
trace of negro blood. Rev. W. E. Paxton, in his "History of Louisiana Bap- 
tists," says of him : "He was a mulatto, and came to Mississippi previous to 
1798, as a licensed preacher. He was a man of some education, full of the 
Holy Ghost, and was a sound gospel preacher. Some of his productions in mv 
possession indicate that he was a simple-hearted Christian, glowing with the love 
of Jesus, and an effective preacher." He remained but a short time on his first 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 45 

visit and preached on\y tliree or four sermons. His color, and being a Baptist, 
rendered him obnoxious, and exposed him to strong prejudices, and he was 
threatened with violence. He returned home after a brief visit, but he felt it to 
be his duty to come to the country he had visited and labor for the good of the 
people. He chose a location, returned to Mississippi, made his arrangements, 
and the 3'ear following returned and located permanently in Louisiana, on Bavou 
Chicot, in the parish of St. Landry. Here, on the 13th of November, 1812, a 
church was constituted by him, the first Baptist church in the State, and Rev. 
Mr. Willis became, at the request of the church, its pastor. 

The history of this man and his missionary work would form an interesting 
chapter in the religious history of Southwestern Louisiana, but space in this 
volume can not be given him. Father Willis, as his people call him, in 1816 
established another church in St. Landry, at Bayou Boeuf, most of the members 
having recently moved there from other contiguous settlements. In 1S17, yet 
other members, dismissed from the mother-church at Bayou Chicot, formed 
churches at Vermilion, Plaquemine Brule, and Hickory Flat, now Aimwell in 
Catahoula parish. In Ma}', 1824, Rev. Willis, assisted by Elders Wm. B. Wil- 
burn and Isham Nettles, who had lately located in St. Landr}', organized a 
church at Beaver Creek in St. Landry parish, and Rev. Isham Nettles became 
its pastor. But we can not follow this pioneer church further. 

The Methodists came to the LouisianajTerritory contemporaneously with the 
Baptists. In 1804 a Methodist minister, whose name is forgotten, came to St. 
Landry. He formed a society at Plaquemine, the first Protestant church in 
this part of the State, and in fact, west of the "Great Father of Waters." It is 
not known where this pioneer of Methodism came from, but from the Natchez 
Countrj', doubtless, where there was a Methodist station as early as 1799, the 
ministers of which were sent there from the South Carolina Conference. Other 
Protestant churches have followed in the w£.ke of the Methodists and Baptists, 
until St. Landr}-^ can boast of Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian 
churches, dotting her territory in almost every direction. 

As to educational facilities, the Southern States are far behind the Northern 
and Western States in schools, particularly in public schools. No question is of 
such vital importance to the people as that of education. Nothing for which a 
State pays monej' yields such a large dividend upon the cost ;is the revenue 
expended upon schools. A few words, perhaps, of the public school system, 
and when and how it originated, will prove of interest to the general reader. It is 
just possible, however, that there are those who will not think more highly of it 
by a knowledge of its birthplace, on the same principle that the ancient Hebrews 
beheved that nothing good could come out of Nazareth. But there is no reason 
why a good thing should be frowned upon on account of its place of origin. 
This is one great country and.should know no dividing lines. 



4(\ SOTTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

The question of educating the masses through the medium of common 
schools was agitated as early as 1647, in New England. An act was passed 
that year to enable "every child, rich and poor alike, to learn to read its own 
language." This was followed by another act, "giving to every town or dis- 
trict having fifty householders the right to have a common school," and to "every 
town or district having one hundred families a grammar school, taught by teach- 
ers competent to prepare youths for college." A writer, years afterward, com- 
menting on the act, states it to be the first instance in Christendom wherein a 
civil government took measures to confer upon its youth the benefits of an edu- 
cation. There had been "parish schools connected with individual churches," 
continued he, "and foundations for universities, but never before embodied in 
practice a principle so comprehensive in its nature and so fruitful in good re- 
sults as the training of a nation of intelligent people by educating all its youth." 
When our fathers, nearly a century and a half later, declared in the ordinance 
of 1787 that "knowledge, with religion and morality, was necessar}' to the good 
government of mankind," they struck the key note of American liberty. 

The governing power in every country upon the face of the globe is an 
educated power. The Czar of Russia, ignorant of international law, of domes- 
tic affairs, of finance, commerce and the organization of armies and navies, 
could never, but for education, hold under the sway of his scepter seventy mil- 
lions of subjects. With what scrupulous care does England foster her great uni- 
versities for the training of the sons of the nobility for their places in the House 
of Lords, in the army, navy and church? What then should be the character of 
citizenship in a country where every man is born a king and sovereign, heir to 
all the franchises and trusts of the State and Republic? An ignorant people can 
be governed, but only an intelligent and educated people can govern themselves; 
that is the experiment being now solved in these United States. 

A recent writer upon the subject of common school education thus truth- 
fully remarks : " A State plants its right to educate upon the foundation, that 
intelligent citizenship is the bulwark of free institutions. It educates for its own 
protection. Each free elector holds in the ward of his ballot the measure of 
the State's interest. An uneducated ballot is the winding sheet of liberty. The 
principle of sovereignty in a republican government resides in the individual 
citizen. The expression of the popular will by a majority at the polls, in a 
fairly conducted election, is but the aggregate expression of American sover- 
eignty. The people, by their votes, determine who shall represent their 
sovereign will. How to wield the power for good, is the supreme question for 
the States. An ignorant people, manipulated b}' corrupt leaders, becomes the 
worst of all tyrants. The idea that the majority can do no wrong is only equaled 
by that monstrous political dogma of imperialism, ' The King can do no 
wrong.' Nothing is so wrong as a deluded, demagogue-directed majority. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ■ 47 

It holds power, and when it determines to run riot over the peace and jiros- 
peritv of society, a political wolf howls hungry for prey along our highways, 
and a roaming leopard keeps ward and watch at the crossings of the streets in 
our towns and cities. No maxim ever embodied a more pernicious error than 
the trite proverb, 'The voice of the people is the voice of God.' This would 
be true, if the people were God-like. This can only be true, when intelligence 
determines public questions and patriotism executes its verdicts." 

The foregoing extract is true to the very letter, and the Southern people 
are able to fully realize it. The greatest crime of the century was the sudden 
enfranchisement of four millions of unlettered Africans. Those who perpe- 
trated the outrage upon our republican institutions did it in the face of all the 
social science they had propagated. The North had emphasized the doctrine 
tliat virtue and intelligence are essential to the perpetuity of the Republic ; and 
yet, in an ill-advised hour of heated passion, rendered hot by the fires of civil 
war, thev made a horde of ignorant slaves the peers of their intelligent masters, 
and thus provided the conditions that prostrated the South, and subjected its 
people to the most destroying despotism that ever ground into the dust a free 
citizenship. The only indemnity for this stupendous wrong is their education 
at the national expense. To require the people they.impoverished by this act 
of folly to bear the burden of their education would be a continued piece of 
injustice, which no political casuistry can justify, no species of' sophistry dis- 
guise, and maudlin philanthropy dignify with a decent apolog}-. 

The public school system of Louisiana is susceptible of vast improvement. 
A great State, of the wealth and material resources of this, can have no excuse 
for a poor sj^stem of public schools. As the editor of the Courier very truth- 
fully remarks: "Northern immigrants are wanted to assist to develop the vast 
resources of this section. Such immigrants are loth to come into a country not 
provided with good educational facilities, however inviting it may be in other 
respects. For these reasons, and because we recognize the fact that ignorance 
is a badge of inferiority everywhere, we have persistently urged the establish- 
ment of an efficient public school system. With taxation up to the constitutional 
limit of sixteen mills, with every industry heavilj' burdened in the license bill, 
but with an enormous debt absorbing almost half of our revenues, our rulers have 
thus far failed in this all-important work, and Louisiana still lags behind almost 
every other State in the Union.'" 

The general school fund of the State is derived from the following sources: 
Annual poll tax of one dollar per capita on every male inhabitant over 21; the 
interest on the proceeds of all public lands heretofore granted by the United 
States for school purposes, and that which may be granted, bequeathed or do- 
nated hereafter for that purpose ; all funds or property other than unimproved 
land bequeathed or granted to the State, not designated for other purposes; the 



48 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

proceeds of vacant estates falling under the law to the State of Louisiana; a 
certain amount set apart from the amount of State taxes collected; besides, a 
certain amount set apart from the amount of parish taxes collected. 

The parish school boards are appointed b_v the State Board of Education. 
The\' are empowered to appoint parish superintendents, who are ex officio sec- 
retaries of the board. Their duties are to divide the parishes into school dis- 
tricts, to apportion the school funds among the several districts in proportion to 
the number of children between the ages of 6 and i8 years, to require from each 
member a quarterly report to the board of tlie actual condition; prospects and 
needs of the schools in the ward in which he resides; to appoint committees to 
examine personally all candidates for teacher in the schools; to provide school 
houses, furniture and apparatus for the schools; to adjust and tix the salaries of 
teachers, and make annual reports to the State Board of Education. 

The following is the present School Board of St. Landry: Laurent Dupre, 
Dr. V.K. Irion, C. N. Ealer, C. J. Thompson, E. V. Barry, Dr. W. W. Lesley, 
Charles Antonio and Frank Wharton. Tlie first named is president of the board, 
and the next secretar}- and parish superintendent. There are 55 public schools 
in the parish. 

The Press. — The pr^ss of St. Landr}' is as able as that of any parish in 
Southwestern Louisiana. The record of the newspaper press of a country, if it 
has liappened to fall into the hands of men competent to make it fully discharge 
its duty, ought to be the one most important page of that country's histor}-. One 
of the greatest things that could alwaj^s be said of our nation was, it has a free 
press. No man has to be licensed or selected by the government either to print 
a book or publish a newspaper. It has been circumscribed by no law except 
natural selection. An}^ one who wished could start a paper at any time, and say 
anything he desired to say, barring onl}' an occasional boot-toe and the law of 
libel. If he chose not to be suppressed there was no power to suppress him — 
except a " military necessity," and once in a great while mob violence. If he was 
persecuted or threatened by some outraged citizen, it is not certain but that he 
always got the best of the difficulty, especially when he would begin to prate 
about the "palladium of American liberties." The wisest act of our govern- 
ment in all its liistory was the unbridling of the press. It was the seed planted 
in good ground for its own perpetuity, and the happiness and welfare of its peo- 
ple. To make the press absolutely free, especially after the centuries of vile 
censorship over it, was an act of wisdom transcending in importance the original 
invention of movable types. A free press makes free speech, free schools, free 
intelligence and freedom, and when political storms come, and the mad waves of 
popular ignorance and passion beat upon the ship of state, then, indeed, is a free 
press the beacon light shining out upon the troubled waters. As an enthusiastic 
writer recently put it: 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 4i» 

" By means of the press, the humblest cabin in the land may bid enter and 
become a part of the famil}' circle, such as the sweet singing bard of Scotland — 
the poet of Bonny Doon. The immortal Siiakespeare or Byron, ' who touched 
his harp and nations heard entranced.' Here Lord Macaulay will lay aside his 
title and dignity, and with the timid children even hold sweet converse in those 
rich, resounding sentences that flow on forever like a great and rapid river. 
Here Gray will sing his angelic pastoral, as ' the lowing herds wind slowl}- o'er 
the lea, and leaves the world to solitude and me;' and Charles Lamb, whose 
sweet, sad, witty life may mix the laugh with the sigh of sympathy, set the chil- 
dren in a roar, as he tells the story of the ' invention of the roast pig;' and that 
human bear — Johnson — his roughness and boorishness all gone now, as in tren- 
chant sentences he pours out his jeweled thoughts to eager ears; and the stately 
Milton, blind but sweet and sublime; and Pope, and poor, unfortunate, gifted 
Poe, with his bird of evil omen perched upon the pallid bust of Pallas;' and 
Shelley and Keats and Dickens and Thackeray and Saxe and Scott and Hood and 
Elliot and Demosthenes and Homer and Clay and Webster and Prentice and all 
of earth's greatest, sweetest and best, are at the beck and .call of mankind, 
where they will spread their bounties before the humblest outcast as munificentlj' 
as at the feet of royal courts of kings." 

But the coming of the printer, with the black letter, the stick, the ir^kpot, 
" pi " and the " devil " is alvvaj-s an era an3-where and among any people. It is 
an event of great portent to the future of any community, for here, above any 
other institution are incalculable possibilities for good, iind sometimes well- 
grounded fears for evil. A free press, in the hands of a man aware of the great 
responsibilities resting upon him, is a blessing like the discoveries and inventions 
of genius that are immortal. In the dingy printing office is the epitome of the 
world of action and of thought — the best school in Christendom — the best church. 
An eminent divine has truly said : "The local paper is not only a business guide, 
but is a pulpit of morals; it is a kind of public rostrum where the affairs of State 
are considered; it is a supervisor of streets and roads; it is a rewarder of merit ; 
it is a social friend, a promoter of friendship and good will. Even the so-called 
small matters of a village or incorporate town are only small to those whose hearts 
are too full of personal pomposity." 

Opelousas Courier. — The Opelousas Courier is the oldest paper in the 
parish of St. Landry. It was established in 1852 by J. H. Sandoz, who con- 
ducted the paper as long as he lived, and at his death his two sons, L. and L. 
A. Sandoz, took charge and are still editing and pubHshing it. Its issue of 
December 27, 1890, is Volume XXXVIII and No. 14. It is a four-page paper, 
and is neatly printed, showing considerable mechanical taste. Upon the closing 
of the thirty-seventh volume, the Courier thus salutes its friends and patrons: 

" This issue of the Courier completes its thirty-seventh volume; the next 



-.0 SOUTH \] EST L Of/SIANA : 

will bt-oin its thirty-eighth. It was founded in December, 1852, and hence will 
soon be thirty-eight years old. But, unlike some of our contemporaries, we 
reckon its volumes on the basis of the weekly' numbers issued, not from the date 
of its establishment. Its publication was interrupted for several months during 
the war and subsequently, in 1870, when its friends were denied the privilege 
of giving it their patronage and support; hence the discrepancy between the 
date of its establishment and the number of its volume. 

" The Courier has always been Democratic. It has always been a friend 
of the people. Under our management it will remain so. It has a record of 
wliicli we are proud. Its future is in our keeping, and we propose to transmit 
that proud record, undimmed and untarnished, to our children. While the 
Courier has always advocated every cause which in the opinion of its managers 
would promote the welfare of the people, it has specially devoted its attention to 
education and immigration. In the furtherance and development of these objects 
He the dearest interests of our State. We need white immigrants to assist us in 
the development of our vast resources and to maintain the supremacy and pre- 
pf)iiderance of our race. 

"To the friends who have stood by us in the past we return our siiict-re 
thanks. With their kind assistance and encouragement we hope to successfully 
weather the coming storm as we have weathered many an one before; and we 
promise them that we will continue in the future as in the past to advocate every 
measure conducive to the greatest good of the greatest number, whether our 
couise suits selfish and self-seeking politicians or not."" 

The St. Landr}' Democrat was established by James N. Jackson in 1876. 
It is the official paper of the town of Opelousas, and the parish of St. Landry, 
and one of the ablest in Southwestern Louisiana. It is and has always been 
Democratic in politics, and its opinions carry weight in the part}'. Number 
50 of "V^olume XIII bears date December 27, 1890. The paper is at present 
published by Mr. L. Sandoz, and edited by Hon. E. North Cullom. It is a 
folio, with seven columns to a page, and presents a hantlsome appearance. 

Judge Cullom is too well known in this section to need an}' introduction to 
the people. He is a native of Southwestern Louisiana, and was educated at 
old Center College, at Danville Kentuck\', one of the oldest and most eminent 
institutions of learning south of the Ohio River, having been chartered in 1819. 
Judge Cullom had as classmates there some of the flower and chivalry of Ken- 
tucky and the Southern States, men who have become great in church and State 
— who have adorned the bench, the bar and the pulpit, and have left their im- 
press upon the statesmanship of the country. As a lawyer and iurist. Judge 
Cullom has few equals in the State. It is upon the bench, perhaps, where he has 
served several terms, that his talents best fit him. As a jurist, his judgments 
were always marked with impaitiality and even-handed justice. He believes in 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 51 

those fundamental principles embodied in the organic law — that eveiy person 
ought "to obtain right and justice freely, and without being obliged to purchase 
it," and that he ouglit "to find a certain remedy in the laws for all injuries and 
wrongs which he ma}' receive in his person, property or reputation." Judge 
Cullom takes an active interest in politics, but is no office seeker; on the con- 
trarjs he has frequently declined political nominations when a nomination was 
equivalent to an election. He is a writer of more than ordinarj- ability, and 
wields a pen that is equaled by few in Southwestern Louisiana. 

The Clarion is a paper established during the summer of 1890, and is a spicy 
little sheet, published by the St. Landry Publishing and Printing Company. Its 
mast head shows no colors or ensign as to who is its editor, but that it has one, 
its sturdy blows in matters of right clearly manifest. 

The only paper in the parish outside of Opelousas is the Washington Advo- 
cate, quite a lively and interesting sheet. The present paper was established in 
tiie summer of 1889, and is owned and edited by Mr. Carlos Grieg. The first 
paper in Washington was called The Enterprise; this was succeeded by The 
News, and it in turn was succeeded bv The Advocate, whicli, phoenix-like, has 
risen from their ashes. 

The parish of St. Landry is laid off into eight jur}' wards, one member from 
each ward, but one, which has two, who are called police jurors. They transact 
the business of the parish, as the Board of Magistrates, the Board of Supervisors, 
or the Board of Commissioners transact the business of the counties of other 
States. The police jurors of St. Landry are as follows: E. AL Bagmi, president, 
fn-st ward; H. O. Durio, Dr. H. Berry, T. C. Bihn,- P. Robin, C. W. Ward, 
E. E. Milburn, Paul Stagg, Capt. Sam'l Hass, and L. J. Dossmann, H. E. Estorge, 
clerk, and J. J. Thompson, treasurer. The two last named are not actual mem- 
bers of the police jurv. 

The first court house in the parish was built soon after the State was admitted 
into the Union ; the second dne in 1846, and the present beautiful temple of 
justice was erected in 1886, and is one of the handsomest in the State. 

Opelousas. — The town of Opelousas is one of the oldest places in Southwest- 
ern Louisiana. The date of its birth as a town is unknown. Its records run 
back into the last centur}', and whether it was ever laid off as a town, or, like 
Topsj-, "just grovved" no one can tell. It was originally a military post, where 
soldiers were stationed to overawe the Indians and protect the white settlers in 
the vicinity. As people settled near the protectmg walls of the station, it soon 
became a sort of trading post for furs and pelts from the Indians and white hunt- 
ers and trappers. As this trade increased stores were opened, and the station 
began to assume the airs and attributes of a town. Mr. Alfred Louaillier states 
that within his recollection there were more Indians to be seen in the streets of 
Opelousas than there are negroes at the present day. 



53 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

The first merchant in Opelousas was believed to have been Mr. J. J. Lou- 
aillier, who opened a store while the place was still a military post. He fol- 
lowed the business for many years and amassed a fortune. Col. Francois Neda, 
one of the prominent men of the parish, who has been extensively mentioned 
among the early settlers, was also one of the pioneer merchants of Opelousas. 
So was Col. William Moore, and also John Merimond. Pierre Wastelle was an 
early merchant. Antoine King was among the pioneer merchants, and sold 
goods in Opelousas early in the present century. He has a son, now seventy- 
two years old, living in the town, with a memory clear as a bell, wlio was also a 
merchant for many years. 

Thus, as the population increased, business in all its branches increased 
proportionally, until at present Opelousas is one of the enterprising and wealthy 
towns in this section of the State. There are no extensive manufacturing estab- 
lishments in the town, and the business is confined principally to mercantile, and 
the buying of the products of the farms and the selling of farm machinery to the 
planters," which annually amounts to from $50,000 to $100,000. Nothing shows 
more conclusively the improvements in modern farming than the increase in the 
sale of agricultural implements in Opelousas and other points in the parish. 

The First National Bank of Opelousas was organized last year, of which 
Mr. A. Levy is president, Mr. S.J. Wilson, vice president and Mr. J. T. Skipper, _ 
cashier. It has been of great benefit to the town and the parish, and has given 
them important financial advantages by securing the people and the planters 
against the extortions of the professional moneylenders. 

The Southwestern Louisiana Land Company is an institution located in 
Opelousas that has probably done as much toward developing the resources of this 
rich country as anything tliat has been brought to bear in t])at direction. It has 
been the means of bringing Inmdreds and hundreds of immigrants to the parish, 
and of securing them good lands and desirable locations. Its prime object is to 
induce immigration, and thus, by inducing immigration, to develop the vast re- 
sources of the country. And the company has struck the proper metliod to 
attain that end. 

Another wonderful improvement to the town and parish, and a great factor 
in their development, is the railroad. It was a great triumph for Opelousas when 
the road was completed and she found herself connected with New Orleans by 
rail. The people doubtless wonder how they got along without a railroad as long 
as they did. The advantages resulting from plenty of railroads is, they bring 
every market of the world to our very doors. We read that it used to take from 
two to six weeks to make a trip from St. Martinsville, in the adjoining parish, to 
New Orleans and return. That was well enough for the " good old times before 
the war," but this is an age of improvement and invention, and he who would 
not be left behind must march with the procession. It is energy and enterprise 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. hi 

that has made this great country of ours what it is. Opelousas and St. Landry 
are better off than some of the other parishes of the Attakapas country, for St. 
Landry has two railroads, while some of the others have but one, and yet others 
none. The Morgan division of the Southern Pacific Company, and the Texas 
& Pacific road afford fine accommodations for travel and transportation and con- 
nection with the outside world. 

The town of Opelousas is governed in its municipal affairs by a Board of 
Trustees, composed of seven members, who are elected by the people. The 
board elects one of its members mayor, who presides over the meetings and has 
judicial powers; sits as a magistrate in the trial of police matters, and in the vio- 
lations of the town laws and ordinances. The board at present is composed of 
the following: Robert O. Chachere, mayor, and J. B. Sandoz, J. T. Stuart, E. 
J. Clements, E. Latrayet, George Pulford and Frank E. Bailey, trustees. 

Bench and Bar. — In writing of the early bar of St. Landry parish, the 
historian must go elsewhere than to the old people of the parish for his data for 
sketches of the oldest practitioners. Many of them are dead and forgotten, and 
the old dust-stained records are the only history of them left behind. Hence, 
there can be little given of them except their names. 

Hon. Seth Lewis was judge of the court in this district for many years. 
In the sketch of tlie bar of St. Martin, an extended sketch of Judge Lewis is 
given. He was born in 1764, and died here long ago. He was the grandfather 
of Hon. E. T. Lewis, the present judge. 

George King was the first parish judge, a very prominent man and es- 
teemed by every one who knew him. He was an able lawyer, a wise and just 
judge, and the father of Hon. George R. King, who was elected district judge 
and afterward elevated to a Supreme Court judgeship. Judge John H. Overton, 
judge here for many years, a stanch Democrat and an active politician, was a 
son-in-law of Judge King. 

Judge Henry Adams BuUard, whom many of the old citizens of Opelousas 
will remember, was an early citizen of St. Landry, and settled about half-way 
from Opelousas to Washington. He was an able lawyer and for years a judge 
of the Supreme Court of the State, Wm. Ward Bowen was a prominent lawyer 
at the early bar of St. Landry and died years ago. Benjamin F. Linton was 
from South Carolina. He was a polished gentleman, a profound lawyer and a 
good citizen. 

Among other pioneer lawyers of Opelousas may be mentioned Edward H. 
Martin, who died here in 1865; Wm. Bowen, who died many years ago; Thos. 
H. Lewis; Taj'ler Bell Savage, an old lawyer, who died in Opelousas many 
years ago; Judge James Porter, who also died here; Judge Moore who died 
here near the close of the year 1890, and Lucius Dupre, who died before the war. 
All these were prominent lawyers, able men, and most of them wealthy citizens. 



5i SO UTIi WES T LO UISIA NA : 

Judge B. A. Maitel was a character in tlie pioneer bar of the parisli. He 
had important " friends at court," which went a great way toward " boosting " 
him into office. He was born in France, and had made pretensions to the 
studying of law there. He was a man of eccentric habits; was somewhat iUit- 
erate, but not ignorant, and a regular poHtical hustler. His famil}' and »elativ("s 
were numerous as the " leaves upon the trees," and through them he managed 
to ride into political offices, among which was that of district judge. In tliat 
office lie gained the distinction of having more of his decisions " reversed by 
the Supreme Court than any judge, perhaps, that ever sat upon the bench in 
the State."' 

Jacques Dupre, though not a practicing lawyer, was quite a statesman and 
politician, and it is appropriate, perhaps, to mention him here. He served man\' 
years in the Legislature and State Senate and was an active and energetic worker. 
He was not a polished scholar, having received but little mental cultivation in his 
youth, but what was better for tlie times in which he lived, he was a man of sound 
practical sense and sterling honest}-. He was elected to the lower branch of tlie 
General Assembly in 1816, to represent the parish of St. Landry, and was twice 
re-elected. In 1828 he was elected to the Stale Senate, and remained a member 
of tliat body until his death in 1846. He became Lieutenant Governor January 
14. 1830. through a combination of circumstances. Hon. Pierre Derbigny was 
Governor, and died from an accident wliich he met with October 5, 1829, less 
tlian a year from the time of taking his seat as Governor. He was driving from 
his residence to the city, wlien his horses took friglit and ran away, throwing him 
from the carriage, inflicting injuries from which he died. Lieutenant Governor 
Armand Beaiivais succeeded him as Governor, and being by virtue of his office 
President of the Senate, left that place vacant. Mr. Dupre was elected to fill it, 
which made him ex officio Lieutenant Governor, and which position he held to 
the close of Gov. Beauvais' term. 

Gov. Dupre was a native of St. Landrj- parish and born at a time when the 
parisli bore the name of County of Opelousas. He was reputed to be tlie largest 
stock raiser in the State of Louisiana. A granddaughter of Gov. Dupre mar- 
ried Gov. Alexander Mouton. It is related of Gov. Dupre that he spelled his 
name without a "c" in Jacques, which gave rise to a current joke among the 
French portion of the population, who first called him "/e Gotiverneiir sans c," 
which, from his good common sense, was changed to "/<; Gouverneur sense." 

Guy H. Bell was a character who, perhaps, might also be mentioned with 
the bar. He came here at a time when he was most needed to hold all the offices. 
He was justice of the peace, postmaster and a militia officer, and had there been 
more offices he would probably have had them too. It was in the latter position, 
perhaps, that he shone most brilliantly. As on training days he got into his 
gorgeous uniform, with a long red plume in his hat, a sword belted around him 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 55 

like unto the broadsword of Rhoderick Dhu, and mounted his prancing steed 
(a broncho pony) that "snuffed the battle from afar," then it was he rode in 
front of his lines with a Napoleonic air, giving his orders in tones that would 
have put to shame Beauregard or Stonewall Jackson. Ah! these old militia 
displays had to be seen to be appreciated. But Squire Bell was a fine man. He 
did a great deal of good and but little harm in the world. He was a Scotchman, 
warm-hearted, sociable, whole-souled and a very popular man with everybody — 
could have been elected President of the United States had the vote depended 
alone on St. Landry parish. 

The present bar of the parish is as follows: Hon. Henrj- L. Garland, Judge 

Edward Estellette, Baillio, Judge E. N. Cullom,T. H. Lewis, E. T. Lewis 

(present judge), L. J. Dupre, G. L. Dupre, E. P. Veazie, DuRoy, Lee 

Garland, Charles Garland, W. C. Perault, Gill, Wm. Frazer and John N. 

Ogden; the latter is the present district attorney. This list comprises an able 
bar, many of the members being among the most prominent lawyers in South- 
western Louisiana. Sketches of them are omitted here, but will be found in the 
biographical department of this work. 

Pioneer Physicians. — The early phj'sicians of the parish, like the early law- 
yers, are many of them almost wholly forgotten, and little more can be given of 
them than their names. Among the names collected are the following: Dr. 
Grolet, Dr. Archer, Dr. Thos. A. Clark, Dr. Louis DeBion, Dr. Robert C. 
Smith, Dr. Moses Littell, Dr. Marsden Campbell, Dr. Beauchamp and Dr. James 
Ray. 

Dr. Ray is, perhaps, the oldest practising physician in the parisli, and is 
sketched in the biographical department. His father was among the early settlers 
of the parish and died here long ago. Dr. Beauchamp was from Kentucky and 
died in Baton Rouge. Dr. Campbell was from Wilmington, N. C, and came 
hei'e with his father, who was an early settler, a large slave holder and a wealthy 
citizen. Dr. Campell died in 1857 ; he was a prominent physician. Dr. Littell 
was one of the oldest practitioners and died in 1837. Dr. Smith died in Grand 
Coteau many years ago. Dr. DeBion lives out in Flat Prairie and is now eighty- 
five years old. Dr. Clark died in the town of Washington many years ago. Dr. 
Archer died in Opelousas, as also did Dr. Grolet. 

The Catholic church of Opelousas, as remarked in a preceding page, is one 
of the oldest in Southwestern Louisiana, and dates its organization back to 1777, 
though the Cathohc church of St. Martinsville claims to have been established in 
1765. The church was moved from Washington to Opelousas, having received 
a donation of land from Michel Prud'homme. The first church erected on this 
land was a wooden building. Many j'ears later the present magnificent brick 
church was erected. Originally this church (St. Landry's) belonged to the 
bishopric of Havana, but in 1791 it was transferred to the diocese of St. Louis. 



56 SOUT/IU'ESy LOi'/S/A\A : 

The present rector of St. Landry's church is Father Armand Duboury, a most 
affable and courteous priest and gentleman. 

The convent of the Immaculate Conception, at Opelousas, is a tirst-class 
school for girls, and is well attended. It is in connection with St. Landry's 
church. There is also a school for boys under the patronage of tliis church in 
which English is taught. 

After the Catholic churcli, the next denomination in Opelousas was the 
Methodists. They established a church some seventy-five years or more ago, 
and have probably the strongest Protestant church in the parish. The Episco- 
palians followed ne.xt, and had a church here before the war. They have a 
verv handsome church building. The Presbyterians organized a church just 
after the war, and the Baptists some years ago. In addition to these churches 
the colored people have two or three churches. 

Washington, situated on the Morgan railroad about six miles above Ope- 
lousas, is a live and wide-awake town, with something like a thousand inhabi- 
tants. The place was originally called Niggerville. A rich old negro named 
Antoine Lemel owned a large tract of land about the place and a great number 
of slaves, so the place became rather an extensive colored settlement, and was 
dubbed Niggerville by its white neighbors. It was finally laid off as a town, 
and in 1830 was incorporated under the name of Washington. It is the most 
important place in the parish next to Opelousas, and has about a thousand 
inhabitants, several fine stores, factories, warehouses, etc., and does a large 
business in shipping cotton and rice, and other products of the country. A 
large number of agricultural implements are sold annually. There are several 
churches, the principal one being Catholic, a Catholic school and a public 
school, and a newspaper, noticed elsewhere in this chapter. 

Grand Coteau, situated on the railroad, about eight miles south of Opelousas, 
ranks next in importance to Washington. It has several stores and other busi- 
ness houses. Specially is it noted for its fine Catholic church, and its college 
and convent. The college is one of the most eminent institutions of learning 
in Southwestern Louisiana. Rev. Francois Abadie, long rector of the church at 
Grand Coteau, and who died recently, received the following touching notice 
from the editor of the St. Landry Democrat, soon after his decease : 

" AVz'. Francois Ahadie. — In our last issue we noticed the death of this pious 
man, but at the time of writing it we were not in possession of any data upon 
which to base any further observations. Since then a friend has furnished us 
with some, and we now incorporate them in this little sketch. 

" Father Francois Abadie was born in France, A. D. 1802, and was 88 years 
old when he passed away. For fifty-five years he officiated as a priest, having 
united himself with the Society of Jesus, ten years before he preached. He 
left France and came to Grand Coteau about the vear 1835, and exerted himself 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 57 

in tlie incorporation and establishment of the grand old college at that place. 
The entire time, to the hour of his death, was devoted to the best interest of that 
institution. Full of energy and zeal for his church, he labored continuously in 
the great cause of learning and religion down to the time of his death. He had 
passed the three score years and twenty, by nearly twenty years, but he kept on the 
armor of the mihtant Christian soldier, and stood like a faithful sentinel on the walls 
oi Zion until a few hours before the vital spark went out. The hand of afflic- 
tion was not laid upon him. God saw proper not to prostrate him through the 
instrumentaHty of disease, but took him hence when age had exhausted the oil 
in his lamp. He never courted the applause of men, but contented himself by 
the consciousness of duty to God. We may justly say he was an Ionian 
column under both the church and the college, which we fear will be much missed 
in the future history of both, at Grand Coteau." 

Other towns and villages of the parish are Armandville, in the southern part 
on the Bayou Teche, Leonville and Belleview, also on the Teche, Notlej-^dlle 
and Garland, on the Texas & Pacific Railroad, Goshen, on the same road; also, 
Rosa, Whitesville and Morrow. Big Cane is situated in the north part of the 
parish, Barbreak, on the Morgan railroad, also in the north part of the parish, 
and Vilie Platte in the west central part. Most of these are small places, somJ 
of them nothing but a post office, or a post office and a small store; and some of 
them a post office, a store, a church and school. 

''War and Rumors of W^ar."— The military history of St. Landry is 
interesting and highly creditable to her citizens. Quite a number participated 
m the war of 181 2, particularly in the battle of New Orleans, and several had 
been soldiers in the old country, and had fought under the first Napoleon, and 
in the armies of the Spanish King. Such men, and the descendants of such, 
would not be found in the "rear rank" in such a war as that between the States 
in 1861-65. They left the store, the counting room, the office, and— 
" The plow was in mid-furrow stayed." 

They hurried to the place of rendezvous ready, willing and anxious to serve 
their country in such a trying emergency. 

As a matter of interest to the people of St. Landry we give the companies 
and their officers, from the parish, or that drew a number of men from the par- 
ish. First is the "Opelousas Guards," made up entirely in St. Landry, and 
was the. first troops to leave for the seat of war. The facts are taken from the 
Opelousas Courier: 

The Opelousas Guards.— It will be interesting to many of our readers to 

know who composed this company— the first that left Opelousas for the seat of 

war in 1861. After having been mustered in the Confederate service and sent 

.to Camp Moore, they left the latter place on the 24th of June, 1861, for Rich- 



5g SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

mond, Va.. as Company F, Eighth regiment, Louisiana vohmteers, and remained 
rn Virginta taking L active and honored part in the many terr.ble engagemen 
haToc'curr'ed thefe up to the close of the war, :8.5, -"^^^^l^l^^^'^t 
crnllant company returned home. The Opelousas Gua.ds of 1886 cauies on t. 
f^ the names of a few of the veterans and several of the descendants of the 
Guards 0:^86. The following is the roll of the Opelousas ^uar^ a .ua..- 
ofacenlurv a^o. Officers and non-commissioned officers James C.i.au, 
eltain Dr ^ohn Taylor, first lieutenant; Geo. W. Hudspeth, second lieuten- 
ant Tiber D^ean, tiird heutenant; Thos. D. Cook, first sergeant; Aaron 
P esftt cond sergeant; John P. Offutt, third sergeant; Clinton B. Andrus, 
Lth sergeant ;Jol^iWalci;um, first corporal; E. Sumter Taylor second cor- 
pora • Kad E. Hoy, third corporal; John T. Healy, fourth corporal. 



PRIVATES. 



Jas. D. Allen, Seth Andrus, Albert D. Andrus Robert M. ^ndru^, A^K. 
Anselm, Geo. Anselm, Joseph P. Bay, O. Bourgeat, S H B"ley,F. a Caiue,^, 
Louis Carriers, Gilbert H. Cochran, S. S. Cole, B. E. Cla.k J. E Clark, A. b. 
CracherTja A. Demaret, Oscar Dawson, Andre Derosier, Lucius Dav d 
E L EsVette, Rosemond Fisette, Louis Fisette, ^^^^^f ''"f A Frem^ott' 
.„ F Fo<rleman A T. Fontenot, L. Fontenot, Onile Forest, A. F.emont, 
Xsse Fr^g ITs'tic Fruge, Ernest Fruge W. E. Gay, Edmond. P. Gui ry. 
Arcade GuiLv, Aristide Guillory, A. Greffil, E. Harmon, Benjamn. Hemy, 
B^dHenr/ Charles S. Hollier, Richard Hightower^Thos. H'gg.n^o^ian , 
S D Hill Uriah Hayes, John P. Hudson, E. Jenner, Wm. H. Judge W^ 1. 
^■..l^r T OS Kelley Wm. C. Lewis, C. F. Lutz, Wm. H. Mayo, L. J. Mont- 

ffleton, Tohn Sherwood, K. tl. csiaugniei , n. j » «;.,:„ t T 

borne SmUh, David Smith, Antoine Soileau, Benoit Soileau, Jules Sit tig, J. T. 
SrothrSi^on Taylor, H. B. Taylor, Jewell J. Taylor Adam Tate, J. A. 
Taylor. H. H. Umphries, T. Vidrine, Elmus West, James West, H. J. 

^^ We copy the following from the Opelousas Courier of September .7. 1862, 
>vhich shows the condition of the company at the time of writing. 

C.\MP Near Gordonsville, Va., August 2, 1862. 

Messrs Editors: Knowing that an account of the condition of our com- 

pany'touM be interesting to the^ good people of ^^ ^^l^^^^^^l^'t^Z, 

have relatives and friends in the "Opelousas Guards, I send by ^Ir- ™^ 

who leaves for St. Landry to-morrow, a statement of our present condition, witk 



• «s»-\^ 




Vfl^/r 




^ nf^^z 



^//l^ 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. (Il 

the changes that ha\-e taken place since our first organization, which I hope you 
may find it convenient to publish in the columns of your paper. By complying 
in this you will very much oblige, yours, etc., John Taylor, * 

First Lieutenant "Opelousas Guards." 

A LIST SHOWING THE ORIGIX.VL ORG.\NIZATION AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE 
OPELOUSAS GU.\RDS, COMPANY F, EIGHTH REGIMENT, LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS. 

Jas. C. Pratt, captain, not reelected at reorganization of the company. 
Discharged the service. 

John Taylor, first lieutenant, present, well. 

Geo. W. Hudspeth, second lieutenant, not reelected at reorganization of 
compan}-. Discharged the service. 

Albert Dejean, second junior lieutenant, elected captain at reorganization 
of the compan}^ April 24, 1862. 

First Sergeant Thos. D. Cook, elected second junior lieutL-nant. Jane 14, 
1862. 

Second Sergeant Aaron Prescott, elected lieutenant in an artiller}- com- 
jiany and transferred. 

Tiiird Sergeant John P. Offutt, killed while gallantl}' charging the enemj- 
at Gaines Mills, June 27, 1862. 

Fourth Sergeant Clint. B. Andrus, private since reorganization of compan\'. 

Fifth Sergeant Albert G. Moore, elected lieutenant April 24, 1862: fell 
leading his company on the enemy's batteries at Port Republic, June 9, 1862. 

First Corporal John Waldrum, transferred to Calhoun batter}-; since died. 

Second Corporal E. S. Taylor, elected lieutenant April 24, 1862. 

Third Corporal Karl E. Hoy, discharged honorably. 

Fourth Corporal John Healey, private since April 24, 1862. 

Privates Jas. D. Allen, present, well. 

Albert S. Andrus, absent, sick. 

Robt. M. Andrus, present, well. 

Seth Andrus, made fifth sergeant at reorganization. Killed vvliilst bravely 
fighting at the battle of Port Republic, June 9, 1862. 

A. K. Anselm, present, well. 

Geo. Anselm, honorably discharged. 

W. Abbott, hospital steward, since dead. 

O. Bourgeat, absent on account of injury received whilst returning to Vir- 
ginia to rejoin company. 

F. H. Brilej', detailed as doctor's orderl}'. 

J. P. Bay, died at Camp Pickens, Manassas Junction, Virginia, last fall. 

Gilbert H. Cochran, present, well. 



62 S0i'7Vn\'ES'r LOUISIANA : 

BeiinLtt Clark, lionorably discharged. 

J. E. Clark, present, well. His coat \\as riddled with bullets at the battle 
(?f Malvern Hill. 

A. B. Chaciicre, elected ordinance sergeant at reorganization. 
Sol. S. Cole, honorably discharged. 

F. C. Carriere, present, well. 
Louis Carriere, present, well. 

T. Chachere, first hospital steward: after appointed assistant surgeon. Re- 
signed on account of ill health. 

Lucius David, present, well. 

S. D. Dill, detailed as hospital wagoner well. 

A. Derosier, present, well. 

O. Dawson, wounded at the battle of Mah'ern Hill. Jul}' i, whilst gallant- 
l}- fighting: died since. 

Jas. A. Demaret, wounded at Malvern Hilh July i, whilst gallanllv light- 
ing; since died. 

E. L. Estilette, taken prisoner in the Valle_y. 

R. Fisette, present, well. 

L. Fisette, w^as made prisoner at Winchester. 

G. Fogleman, left sick at Front Royal: captured. 
J. Fogleman, present, well. 

E. Fogleman, present, well. 

T. Fontenot, wounded at the battle of Gaines Mills. Has returned for 
duty. 

A. J. Fontenot, detailed as brigade wagoner; well. 

A. Fremont, captured near Winchester. 

U. Fruge, present, well. 

E. Fruge, absent, sick. 

L. Fruge, absent on account of injury received by being run over by 
ambulance. 

O. Forest, absent wiihout leave. 

W. E. Gay, received appointment as cadet in \'irginia Military Institute, 
and discharged from the compan}'. 

E. P. Guidry, wounded severely at the battle of Wincliester. May 25. 1862. 
In Lynchburg. 

A. Guillory, detailed as brigade wagoner, well. 

Aristide Guillorv, detailed as brigade wagoner, well. 

A. Greffil, present, well. 

Benj. Henry, present, well. 

Bernard Henrv, honorablv dischaiged. 

Chas. S. HoUier, present, well. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 63 

Thos. Iligginbotham, present, well. 

J. P. Hudson, wounded at ihe battle of Port Republic, charging the enemy's 
batteries. 

U. Hayes, present, well. 

R. H. Highlower, honorably discharged. 

E. P. Jenner, was cut off from the regiment in its retreat up tlie \'alley, 
and, after dodging the Yanks for nearlv two months, returned safelv. Present, 
well. 

Wm. H. Judge, honorablv discharged. 

Wm. M. Keller, absent, sick. 

Thos. Kelhs absent at hospital. 

Wm. H. Lewis, present, well. 

W. C. Lewis, present, well. 

C. F. Lutz, absent, sick. 
Wm. H. Mayo, present, well. 
Thos. J. Montgomery, present, well. 
Wm. Montgomerv', present, well. 

B. Molbach, present, well. 

B. ]\L Morrow, honorably discharged. 

T. J. McGinty, detailed as brigade wagoner. 

J. McBride, died in Richmond last spnng. 

Wm. O. Moss, honorably discharged. 

Chas. Moss, absent, sick. 

Wm. Mitcheltree, present, well. 

Wm. J. Offutt, made second sergeant at reorganization. Absent, sick. 

Wm. F. Perrj', present, well. 

Arthur Perrault, honorably discharged. 

D. H. Quirk, honorably discharged. 
VV. P. Quirk, honoral>ly discharged. 

John O. Richard, elected lieutenant in another company whilst home on 
furlough. Transferred. 

Wm. Rhelburg, taken prisoner near Winchester. 

T. S. Robin, elected lieutenant in Captain Robin's company. Transfeired. 

R. A. Rowe, present, well. 

Louis Ro}', present, well. 

Louis Rousseau, captured in the \^allev. 

J. W. Sandefer, present, well. 

T. K. Singleton, present, well. 

Arthur L. Singleton, honorably discharged. 

Q. Sayant, present, well. 

A. J. Smith, present, well. 



C4 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

C. Smith, present, well. 

D. Smith, taken prisoner in the Vallej'. 

A. Soileau, honoraby discharged. 

B. Soileau, honorably discharj^ed. 
Arist Soileau^ honorably discharged. 

John Sherwood, taken prisoner in the Valley. 

Jules Sittig, present, well. 

Leonce Sandoz, honorably discharged at Camp Moore, June, 1861. Again 
joined the companj' in the Vallej', in May, 1862, and was captured near Win- 
chester. 

H. B. Taj'lor, present, well. 

J.J.Taylor. 

J. A. Taylor, was slightly wounded at the battle of Port Republic in the 
charge on the Yankee batteries. 

S. H. Taylor, died at Culpeper Courthouse last fall. 

R. II. Umphries, present, well. 

T. Vidrine, present, well. 

John Welsh, detailed as hospital nurse, well. 

J. West, present, well. 

H. J. Wynn, absent, sick. 

RECRUITS ENLISTED IN THE COJIPANY IN THE SPRING OF 1 862. 

A. T. Andrus, died at hospital in Richmond. 

B. T. Andrus, present, well. 

L. L. Boutte, captured at Winchester, paroled. 
B. A. Boutte, wounded at battle of Port Republic. 
A. Bertrand, present, well. 
George Baskin, absent, sick. 
Thomas Bacon, present, well. 
J. D. Bernard, absent, sick. 
Jos. Chachere, home on furlough. 

L. L. Chanin, killed whilst gallantly charging the enemy's batteries at Port 
Republic. 

Jules David, present, well. 

E. Dardeau, taken prisoner in the Valley. 
Oran Elliot, absent, sick. 

Isaac M. Eves, present, well. 

Denis Fontenot, present, well. 

Ilorthere Fontenot, absent, sick. 

Rodolphe Fontenot, taken prisoner in the Valley. 

Hypolite O. Fontenot, present, well. 



JIISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 05 

G. Forrest, absent, sick. 

D. Guillor}-, absent, sick. 

O. Guiilor}', accidental!}' shot liimself tiiroiigli tlie hand at New Market; 
present, well. 

A. Guillorj-, absent, sick. 

Wm. H. Harris, was cut off from the Regiment in the \'alley; after seven 
weeks of adventure among the enenu', escaped and returned to his company; 
well. 

M. Hebert, present, well. 

A. Lavergne, taken prisoner in the X'allev. 

A. Lague, present, well. 

A. Lebleu, absent, sick. 

E. McDaniel, absent, sick. 

13. McDaniel, taken prisoner in the Valley. 

C. A. Morphis, honorably discharged. 

Robert McLin, was wounded at the battle of Port Republic: recovered and 
detailed at brigade wagon yard. 

E* D. Parker, present, well, ^\'as \\ouiided in ihe head at the battle of 
Malvern Hill. 

O. D. Raulin, present, well. 

J. D. Richardson, taken prisoner in the ^'alley. 

Victor Sittig, present, well. 

H. Savant, taken prisoner in the Valley. 

L. Speirer, died at hospital in Richmond. 

C. C. Swaj-ze, wounded at battle of Gaines' Mills, whilst charging the 
enemy. L'atel}' returned to the regiment, but is vet until lor duly. 

C. Saulter, absent, sick. 

In the next issue of the Courier. October 4, 186^, which is in mourning" 
for tlie death of its junior editor. Major Wm. H. Spencer, killed at the second 
battle of Manassas, while gallantly leading his regiment (the roth Loui.-i ma) to 
the charge, we find the following list of killed and wounded, among the Opelou- 
sas Guards, in that bloody engagement: the gallant writer of the foregoing- 
correspondence being himself a victim, having bravely j-ielded up his young life 
on the field of honor but a few da3's after it was written : 

Liit of Killed and Wounded in Company F, Slh Louisiana Regiment. — 
Sherwood, wounded in leg; E. P. Jenner, wounded in spine; Wm. Rhetberg, 
slightly in the arm : James Conner, slighth' in the arm; Lieut. John Ta3lor, 
killed, shot in body, lived four da3's, was buried at Buckner hospital, about ten 
miles from Aldee, Va. : Derosier, killed: Baskin. wounded : Dardeau, wounded; 
Perry, wounded. 

Calcasieu Invincibles. — Next is the Calcasieu Invincibles, of which the 



€6 SOLTJIWJ^ST LOUISIANA. 

officers, or most ot them, were from St. Laiuliv : Warren W. Johnson, captain ; 
Jolin A. Spence, first lieutenant; Sims M. Pilhron, second lieutenant; J. W. 
Wagnon, third lieutenant; R.A.Parker, orderh' sergeant; E. L.Cole, sec- 
ond sergeant; Zephirin Lebleu, third sergeant; Jacob Seigler, fourth ser- 
geant; E. R. Seigler, fifth sergeant; H. D. Clark, first corporal; Martin 
Lebleu, second corporal; John B. Lebleu, third corporal, and Joshua Hug- 
gins, fourth corporal. 

Of the St. Landry Volunteers, only the following names were obtained: 
llenr\' L. Garlind, captain; Charles D. Bullard, first lieutenant; Jacob An- 
selm, second lieutenant: , and Adolph Debaillon, third lieutenant. 

Opclousas Volunieeis. — Louis Lastrapes, captain; James G. Ha3's, first 
lieutenant; Adolph Brpussard, second lieutenant; Willis Prescott, third lieu- 
tenant; Ferredie Perrodin, first sergeant; William Hall, second sergeant; V. 
S. Bonoque, third sergeant; William Reeves, fourth sergeant; Rabie Adams, 
fifth sergeant; Robert Sloan, first corporal; Elphege D. Daigle, second cor- 
poral; Joseph Higginbotham, third corporal, and Aurelien Richard, fourth 
corporal. 

The Confederate States Rangers were organized with the following officers : 
W. H. Spencer, captain; M. S. Prud'homme, first lieutenant; E. D. Seato.n, 
second lieutenant; Mat. G. Davis, ensign; A. Perrodin, first sergeant; Joseph 
Lebleu, second seigeant ; Isaac Ryan, third sergeant; Paul Lambert, fourth 
sergeant; J. F. Monelle, fifth sergeant; James McKinney, first corporal ; Isaac 
Reeves, second corporal: Wm. L. Plutchins, third corporal, and Henry Miller, 
fourth corporal. 

St. Landry Li^ht Guards — N. Offult, Jr., captain; J. C. Hickman, first 
lieutenat; H. Bain Ritchie, second lieutenant; S. D. McCauUey, junhjr second 
lieutenant; A. Desbrest, ensign; L. A. Corinier, orderly sergeant; P. Scott, 
second sergeant ; J. O. Trainer, third sergeant; A! L. Meterier, fourth ser- 
geant; C. P. Gordon, fifth sergeant; E. J. Goring, first corporal; E. O'Reil- 
1\-, second corporal ; A. Pfeil, third corporal; F. M. Drinkard, fourth corporal ; 
D. A. Titah, fifth corporal, and A. Winkler, honorary member. 

So far as could he obtained the foregoing is a list of the commissioned and 
non-commissioned officers from Opelousas and the parisli of St. Landr}*. It is 
a prett}^ long list for a single .parish, and shows the patriotism of the people in 
those times " of war and rumors of war." — Perrin. 



CHAPTER 111. 

Parish of St. Martin — I.ntkoductoky and Desctuptive — Early History — 
Its Territory Lopped Off to Form Other Civil Divisions — The 
Civil War — Soldiers of St. Martin — Dark Days of Reconstrlctiox 
— Crop Statistics — Resources, Etc. — Parish^Goverxment Schools 
from i8ii to i86i — Calamities that Visited the Town — Manufac- 
turing Statistics — Fire Department — Stores, Etc. — Catholic 
Church — The Story of Evangeline — Pioneer Bar of St. Martin — 
.So:me Prominent Lawyers — Breaux Bridge. 

" Non loin de la, an siid, les villages de St. Maur et St. Martin, sont situes sur les rives dii Teclie. 
Le pays est admirable avec ses prairies ses foiets d'aibor fruitiers ceux qui I'habitent I'ont nomnie 
I'Eden de l.i Louisiane, avec son tapis de verdure emailM de fleur^, et son ciel des plus azures qui 
s'incliije, et dont le dome s'appuie sur les murailles des forets. — Lotigfello-'f s Evangeline. 

^- TMMEDL\TELY after the cession of Louisiana to the United States, it was 
rj or<ranized as the Territory of Orleans. The population of the Attakapas 
c" district amounted then to 7369 souls. Numerous farms were in success- 
ful operation, and its pasturage grounds were covered with immense vacheries, 
constituting the wealth of n;iost of the inhabitants, and abundant crops of cotton, 
corn, rice and tobacco were raised yearly and shipped to the New Orleans market. 
Stock and cattle raising had been eminently successful, and countless droves 
of cattle stocked the city market every year, and were sold at high prices. The 
money market was easy, and it may truly be said that these were the halc3-on 
days of the Attakapas region. 

In 1824 the territory of the parish of St. Martin was again curtailed by the 
formation of the parisli of Lafaj'ette. This division did not, however, check 
its prosperous career, as its wealth and population were now increasing rapidl}'. 
In the year iS44the parish of Vermilion was formed, and again tlie parish of St. 
Martin was deprived of a large and valuable part of its territory. 

Notwithstanding the successive curtailments of its domain, the parish of St. 
Martin, now thickly peopled, held a distinguished rank among the richest par- 
ishes of the State. The banks of the Teche were embellished with the elegant 
residences of its planters, whose large estates yielded enormous and most valuaT 
ble crops of sugar and cotton. Magnificent boats ploughed its water courses 
and an easy means of communication was now opened with the Citj'- of New 
Orleans. The value of the lands had increased tenfold. Such was the pros- 
perous condition of tlie parish in 1S61 when the great civil war broke out. The 



Cs SOUTHWEST L OVISIAXA : 

citizens ot tlie parish displayed a patriotism worthy ot their aiicesir\', and flocked 
to tlie standards of tlie Confederate army. 

One of tiie first companies organized in the South left this inirish early in 
June, 1861, for the seat of war in Virginia, under the command of Captain 
Alcibiades DeBlanc, and was incorporated in the Eighth Louisiana Regiment as 
Company C. Its captain was subsequently promoted to the colonelc}' of the leg- 
iment for meritorious service on the battle field. That company took part in all 
the bloody battles tliat were fought in Virginia under the leadership of Stonewall 
Jackson and Robert E. Lee. 

Another company, incorporated in the battalion ot the Orleans Guards, won 
gieat distinction in a memorable charge at the battle of Shiloh, led by First 
Lieut. Alfred Voorhies — others enlisted in the Eighteenth and Twenty-sixth 
T^ouisiana regiments. The former was commanded by Col. Alfred Mouton, who 
was promoted to Brigadier General for his braver}' at the battle of Shiloh, and 
who was killed at the battle of Mansfield, won by his superior generalship. The 
Yellow Jackets, Valsin A. Fournet, colonel, and Dupeire's battalion of cavalry, 
Mai. St. Leon Dupeire commanding, were also organized in the parish. 

During the four long years that the civil war was lasted, the lands remained 
untilled, and the destruction of property in the parish by the enemy was simply 
appaUing. The war closed, and the gallant Confederate soldiers returned only 
to witness the desolation of their homes, with ruin and poverty staring them in 
the face. The dark da3's of reconstruction added their gloom to this alread}' 
gloomy state of affairs, and i.i 186S, St. Martin was again deprived ot a part of 
its territory by the formation ot the parish of Iberia. 

Cro/> Statistics and /Resources. — -The peoph; of tlie parish of St. Martin 
were not disheartened by these many reverses and misfortunes, and displayed a 
remarkable energy under the trying circumst mces. Men who had led the easy 
life of the gentleman before the war became tillers of the soil. New industries 
sprang up, and by degrees the parish became once more prosperous and wealthy. 
Its vast territory of yore has dwindled to the proportions of those of a sm ill 
parish, and yet its population now numbers 18,381 souls. Its total area is 448,- 
000 acres, 183,000 of which were culti\'ated as follows, in 1S90, to-wit: 

In cane, 6000; in cotton, 30,000; in corn, 55,ooo;in rice, 700; in oats, 500; 
in liav, 9000; in sweet potatoes, 6000; in Irish potatoes, 1000. The \ield has 
been: sugar. 7,000,000; pounds; molasses, 168,000 gallons; cotton. 14.000 
bales: corn, 500,000 bushels; hay 20,000 bales; sweet potatoes, 250,000 bar- 
rels; Irish potatoes, 6000 bushels; rice, 30,000 barrels. 

Its commerce in eggs and poultry is also important. Seventj'-five thousand 
acres of its tillable lands remained uncultivated in 1890, whilst its 264,800 of 
swamp lands, out of which thousands of trees were floated, have produced an 
enormous revenue to their owners. 



IIISIORRAL AXl) lUOGRAPniCAL. 6!) 

The parish of vSt. Martin is one of the alluvial parishes of tlie Stale, beint;- 
situated in the Atchafalaya basin. The lands on the banks of the rivers and 
bayous are generally high lands that slope gently toward the back lands, which 
are several feet lower. The soil is of unsurpassed fertilitj-, and its timbered 
lands are classed among tRe most valuable of the State. The Teche runs through 
the parish from north to south. It lakes its source near the Courtableau, in tiie 
parish of St. Landry, and is the main channel through which the products of the 
land are shipped to the New Orleans market. It is navigable the year round to 
St. Martins\ille, and during the high stage of the waters is navigable for small 
boats as far up as LeonvilJe, sixty miles further up. Its banks average from 
sixteen to twenty feet above low water mark, but are not steep or precipitous, 
sloping gently to the water's edge. Stately oaks and gi-aceful magnolias line its 
bank, and the green foliage and snowy blossoms of the latter add their fresh- 
ness to the beauty of its scenerj- and landscapes. Although quite narrow at St. 
Martinsville, its width not exceeding eighty feet when low, it widens by degrees 
until it becomes a noble stream from Franklin to Pattersonville, where it loses 
itself in the Atchafalaya River. The parish is washed on the east by a chain of 
lakes, some of which by their size and depth are small inland seas. 

Parish Government. — The parish of St. Martin is administered by a Police 
Jury composed of one member from each one of its five wards, and which is a 
political corporation with powers clearly defined by the Legislature. The or- 
dinances are enforced by the courts when they do not clash with the provisions of 
the State laws. Their police powers are extensive. The raising of the parish tax is 
a part of their attributes and .duties, but the collection of the tax is made by (he 
sheriff, who is ex officio the State tax collector. When the tax is collected the 
amount is turned over to the parish for disbursement under the orders of the Police 
Jur}'. Police Jurors receive as emoluments of office $5 a da}', besides mileage, 
whilst they are holdiug their sessions. Police Juries throughout the State are 
constituted boards of revision to revise and correct the assessment lists of State 
parish assessors. 

Public Scliooh. — Our system of public schools, remai kable for its simplicity, 
has given an impetus to education in Louisiana which has been productive of 
the best results. There is a marked amelioration in the organization of our 
schools and in the manner of conducting them. The selection of teachers has 
been most happy, and the school facilities afforded to the people for the diffusion 
of knowledge among them and for the enlightenment and cultivation of their 
minds are greater now than the}' have ever been in the State. 

The State Board of Education is composed of the Governor, the Lieutenant 
Governor, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the State Superintend- 
ent of Public Education, and two citizens of the United States who have resided 
two years in the State. The Governor appoints the two citizens. Thus constituted, 



70 S0C77IWES7' L O UJSI. YNA : 

tlie State Scliool Board is a practical corporation possessing all the rights, pie- 
rogatives and powers which are the attributes of such corporations. It makes 
all needful rules and regulatiDns for the government of free public schools, and 
for the examination and employment of teachers. It selects, chooses and 
recommends series of text books and apparatus, which shall be used in the 
schools. It prescribes forms for all statistical reports of an}'^ kind required of 
officers connected with the administration of the free public schools; appoints 
parish School Boards, to be composed of five and not more than nine members. 

The parish School Boards are political corporations, with the right of select- 
ing their own presidents, and to appoint parish school superintendents, which are 
ex ojficio secretaries of the boards. Their duty is to divide the parishes into school 
districts, and to apportion the schoolfunds among the several districts in propor- 
tion to the number of children between the ages of six and eighteen 3-ears. To 
require from each member a quarterly report to the board of the actual condition, 
prospects and needs of the schools of the ward in which he resides. To appoint 
committees to examine personally all candidates for teacherships in the schools. 
To i^rovide school houses, furniture and apparatus for the schools. To adjust 
and fix the salaries of teachers. To dismiss any pupils from the free public 
schools for gross immorality, or persistent violation of the regulations of the 
school. To appoint all the teachers of the public schools, and lastlj^ to make to 
the State a yearly report containing a full and complete statement of the con- 
dition of the scliools, and the number of pupils in attendance during the }'ear. 

The general exercises in the public schools are conducted in the English 
language, and also the elementary branches taught therein. The school fund 
consists of (i) an annual poll tax of one dollar per capita upon every male in- 
liabitant in the State over twenty-one j^ears. (2) The interest on the proceeds 
of all public lands heretofore granted by the United States for school purposes, 
or (3) which may be granted, bequeathed or donated hereafter for that purpose. 
(4) All funds or property other than unimproved lands bequeathed or granted to 
the State, not designated for other purposes. (5) The proceeds of vacant estates 
falling under the law to tlie State of -Louisiana. (6) A certain amount set apart 
frcun the amount of State taxes collected; besides (7) a certain amount set apart 
from the amount of parish taxes collected. The number of schools in the parisli 
is as follows: white schools, twelve; colored schools, twelve. There are no 
mixed schools in the parish. 

St. Martinsville from iSii to 1S61. — St. Martinsville, the seat of justice, 
had followed in the wake of the prosperity of the parish. From the obscure 
Poste des Attakapas it had grown to be a town of some importance in 181 1. Its 
population increased steadily until the year 1S43, when it was incorporated. Its 
situation at the head of na\'igation on the Teche made it the commercial mart, not 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 71 

only of the parish, but also of the adjoining parishes, which then did not possess 
the railroad facilities of to-day. 

Tiie refinement of its people, their politeness and sociabilit}-, had won for it 
the name of " Le petit Paris," by wliich it was known throu<![hout the State. It 
possessed a branch of the Louisiana Stale Bank, and had the neatness of a town 
and the appearance of a city. Hither the best Creole families of the State re- 
paired every 3'ear, attracted by the gaieties of the place. Here also the artists 
of the New Orleans French Opera spent their vacations, regaling their audiences 
with selections from the best operas, and delighting them with the performance 
of the witty comedies of the French Repertoire. It was, in those times, a 
fashionable summer resort, and during the entire season there was a succession 
of amusements, the equal of which are seen only in great cities. 

Its prosperous condition, the great commercial advantages of its situation, 
every thing seemed to point to a bright future for the rising cit}', but these 
promises soon vanished, and its prosperous career was checked and its com- 
merce crippled b}'' a series of disasters which brought it to the very brink 
of ruin and of desolation. In 1S55 it was visited by a yellow fever epidemic 
which decimated its population. The gloom of this calamity was scarcely being 
dispelled when a most disastrous fire swept away the entire business portion of 
the town. To complete the horror of the scene, fourteen persons perished 
miserably in the flames. The year following, on the loth of August, a hurricane 
of untold violence destro3'ed the crops of the parish and scattered ruin and 
desolation in its path. Shortly afterward the civil war broke out. Alter- 
nately occupied by Federal and Confederate troops, during that eventful period 
its commerce was completely paralyzed. The bridge that spanned the Teche 
was burnt down b}'^ the Federal soldiers and the wanton destruction of the prop- 
erty of its inliabitants was the finishing blow to its prosperity. 

Since the war it has recovered slowly from these successive calamities. 
Although its growth has not been as rapid as that of the neighboring towns, it 
has progressed steadily and has more than doubled in size and population. Its 
commerce is increasing, and the branch road of the Southern Pacific, which taps 
the Teche, has made it the shipping point of all the freight of the parish. Its 
population now numbers 2000 souls. Besides the court house and other public 
buildings, there are in the town a public market, two private markets, seventy- 
eight stores, and two drug stores. Its lodge of Knights of Honor is prosperous, 
and there are besides two colored benevolent associations. Its high school 
house is a substantial two story-buildiug with a large attendance of pupils. The 
convent of the Sisters of Mercy has an attendance of over three hundred child- 
ren and bids fair to become one of the most important educational institutions of 
the State. 

Vigilance Coiiiniittees. — Perhaps the most remarkable event that occurred 



1-2 SOUT/nVESl' L OUISIANA : 

in ante-bellum clays, in the Teche region, was the upiisiiig" of the people, their 
organization as vigilance committees, and the absolute power exercised b}' them 
over the district during six months, despite the interference of the Governor of 
the State, whose proclamation they heeded not, and whose orders they spurned. 
The causes which led to that revolution must have been grave ones indeed. 
A people will not resort to measures so extreme as to subvert the State govern- 
ment, and to constitute themselves a sovereign power w'ith judicial and executive 
prerogatives, unless driven to this rash act b}' reasons of the most weighty na- 
ture. Without discussing those reasons, we will now attempt to chronicle the 
occurrences of that revolution, occurrences with a part of which we are familiar, 
having been an eye witness of their happening in tliose days of trouble and of 
turmoil. The following pages will contain the dark side of tlie picture that we 
have drawn of the Teche region. 

The rapid increase of tlie population in tiie Teche region was clue, in a 
great measure, to an active immigration from the other States of the Union, as 
well as from the old European countries, principally France, Spain and Ger- 
many. These emigrants were mostly poor, but as a general rule they proved 
a A'aluable accession to the population, being either good mechanics or hard 
working and honest laborers. As much, however, can not be said of all these 
emigrants. Some of these new comers, socialists of the worst type, had brouglit 
along with them, across the Atlantic, those pernicious theories and principles 
which rendered their living impossible in tlie mother country. Having ingrati- 
ated themselves with the poor and ignorant element of the population, they were 
soon at work, inculcating in the minds of those people the beauties and advan- 
tages of socialism, the main principle of which is the elimination of the mine 
and ihine from the vocabularv of moralit}-, and the substitution of the word ours 
in lieu thereof. 

Among the poor and ignorant class were men who bore the name of the 
most respected and withal respectable families of the Slate; but their hearts 
were demoralized by the withering influence of poverty and want, and they lent 
but too willing an ear to these poisonous theories. The bad instincts of their 
hearts were roused. They were singularly taken up with the principle that all 
things should be l>eld in common. The diffusion of this pernicious doctrine 
among them produced the most disastrous effects. They began to look with 
distrust and jealousy on their more wealthy neighbors. They familiarized them- 
selves, by degrees, to the idea that they were justified in taking their neighbor's 
property, provided they could avoid detection. Between so flattering a theory 
and the carrjdng it out, there is but a step, an imaginar}- line. This line was 
soon obliterated. 

.Small marauding parties were formed — the thieving was carried out on a small 
scale at fiist — a few cattle were stolen at niglit and either slain or sold to parties 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 73 

residing in the neighboring parishes. But, as the marauders grew bolder by 
success,' tiie thefts and robberies increased rapidly in number and magnitude. 
Other marauding parties were formed, their membership increased steadily, 
until b^' consolidating themselves together, they created an organization, whose 
ramifications extended over the whole Attakapas region. It was, in fact, a mili- 
tary organization, with its grand chief and subordinate officers. Thus equipped 
and disciplined, the marauders became more daring and aggressive. Although thev 
prowled at night like wolves, sweeping the Attakapas prairies, they took no 
measures to avoid detection — whole herds of cattle were corraled, and driven to 
the market in broad daylight. 

Tlie people of the district became alarmed at this state of affairs. Tlie law 
had become powerless to check the evil, and things had assumed a most threat- 
ening aspect. Marauders detected in the act, and prosecuted criminally, had 
been acquitted by the jury, although the evidence of their guilt had been estab-' 
lished be3-ond peradventure. The following anecdotes are illustrative of the sit- 
uation in the district at that period: A planter came suddenly upon a thief, a 
neighbor of his, who had slain a cow, and who was in the act of carrying away 
the meat. 

"Tills is m}' cow."' said the planter, " I shall prosecute you for larceny."' 

" Pshaw! " said the thief, "3-ou are too intelligent to do that." 

" Too intelligent! Whj', do you mean to say this is not my cow?" 

•• It may have been once," answered the neighbor, " but it is mine now." 

'• What," said the planter, " this is j'our cow?" 

" Certainly it is; you have sold her to me, and I have paid you the price, in 
the presence of witnesses." 

" Monstrous ! Your witnesses will swear to a lie I You know that this cow 
belongs to me! I will prosecute all the same." 

" Do just as you please,"' said the neiglibor, shrugging his shoulders, as he 
went away with the meat. He was prosecuted, but true to his word, he produced in 
court seven witnesses, who swore tliat he had purchased the cow and h id paid 
the price in their presence. He was acquitted. 

The favorite cow of a planter missing one morning, he walked over the prai- 
rie surrounding his farm, in quest of her. Having gone as far as a little store 
kept by a Frenchman on the highway four or five miles distant from his planta- 
tion, to his great surprise he found the hide of the cow, freshly skinned hanging 
on the fence. 

" Where did 3'ou get that hide?" said he to the merchant. 

" I have just bought it." 

"From whom? It is the hide of my cow that was stolen last night." 

" Had you come a little sooner, you would have seen j-ourself the person 
who sold it to me; he has just left, but I can not give his name." 



74 SOTTHWEST L OUISIAXA : 

" Be careful," said the planter. " The hide is in your possession. This is 
a pretty strong presumption that you have stolen tliat cow; the more so that 3'ou 
refuse to give the name of him that sold the hide to you." 

" I can not give his name," repeated the merchant. 

" Very well," said the planter, " the grand jury will investigate this matter." 

The Frenchman was indicted for larcenj'. He was warned by his attorney 
to disclose tlie name of the thief, to avoid being convicted. He stubbornly 
refused to speak. The case was tried, the evidence was direct and conclusive, 
and 3'et he was acquitted. During the whole trial he had sho\\n no nervousness, 
and his acquittal seemed to be no matter of surprise to him. Being asked by his 
counsel to explain how the jury could have rendered such a verdict, he smiled 
and said: " I can speak now, although I will give no names. The man that sold 
me the hide was on that jury, and there was, besides him, five others who belong 
' to his gang. I was sure of an acquittal. Had I given his name, my store would 
now be a mass of ashes, and I would probabh' be dead. I thought it more 
prudent to take mj' chances." 

These two anecdotes, well authenticated, serve to show the exact state of 
affairs in the Teche region in 1859- The courts, although presided over by 
honest and able judges, were powerless to reach the violators of the law, pro- 
tected as they were by perjured witnesses and corrupt jurors, and crime, parad- 
ing its ugliness in broad daylight, went unwhipped of justice. The people, to 
tlieir great disma}^, had found that they were encompassed b}^ an organization 
composed of bandits of the worst type, extending over the five Attakapas par- 
islies, and having affiliations even in the ranks of the best societv. This state 
of affairs demanded immediate and energetic action — unless checked, this grow- 
ing evil might pervade the whole body, politic and social, and be productive of 
the most disastrous results. In this emergency tlie people did not hesitate, but 
rose in a bodj' for self-protection, as well as to wage a merciless war upon the 
bandits who had thrown the gauntlet to society. They decided that henceforth 
no violator should be subjected to the judicial farce of a criminal trial before the 
State courts, but that these trials should be carried before the tribunals of the 
sovereign people. A code of laws, as short and almost as severe as the Dra- 
conean code, was adopted. Its provisions were easy of interpretation, and tlie 
penalties provided for, of easj- application. Tlie lash I Exile ! The rope I 

The people had now organized as vigilance committees, to carr}- out their 
plan, and issued the following proclamation, in which their objects and purposes 
are concisely and clearl}' set forth. We translate from the original documents 
in our possession : 

PROCLAMATION. 

Fellow Citizens! Having organized ourselves as vigilance committees, that 
is, having constituted ourselves as a tribunal, entirely independent of the other 



\ 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. lb 

tribunals created by the law, we owe it to ourselves, as well as to 3'ou, to give tlie 
reasons that have driven us into the revolutionary movement that we have inauf- 
urated. We address ourselves to the honest people of the State, our peers in 
integril\', and who, hke us, bow in sweet reverence to the laws enacted for the 
protection of society. We would blush to give any explanation either to the 
bandits who infest this district or to their frieads and accomplices. We incline 
ourselves before that justice — that saintly justice that shields the innocent and 
strikes the yuilty; we look in her face .without fear, fellow citizens, because we 
have violated none of those duties that society imposes on its members. This 
being premised, we veil her statue so often insulted and spat upon bj- the 
bandits, and we sa}- to those, who, like us, have at heart the prosperity of their 
native State: Fellow citizens, we have been subjected to a system of rapine and 
plunder without parallel in the history of this country; our property is destroyed 
daily and hourly; our houses are burglarized and rifled of their contents; crime 
has its army in our midst, with its generals, officers and soldiers. We will tell 
}ou bluntly how it is that crime holds its high carnival in our midst. The jury 
has failed most miserabh" in its mission. It has been guilty in the face of God 
and of society of the abominable crime of perjury — for when jurors acquit 
those whose guilt is established beyond peradventure they commit the crime of 
perjur\-, and place themselves on a level with those they have acquitted. Is it 
not to 3'our knowledge, fellow citizens, thatsucli verdicts are of daily occurrence 
in our courts of justice? If t1ais criminal indulgence of the jury had no other 
effect than tiiat of saving a few miscreants from the penitentiary, we wDuld 
qualify it merelv as a weakness without a name. But verdicts rendered con- 
trar}' to tlie most convincing evidence find an echo in the hearts of the corrupt 
people of the district; the acquittal of a bandit is a premium for the encourage- 
ment of vice, and opens a new field for the perpetration of crime. •' He that 
sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind," says tlie Scripture. Our district is an 
eloquent proof of this. As soon as the law became powerless for the repres- 
sion- of crime, what have we seen? The boldest robberies committed at night; 
in the daytime, everywhere and at all times. We have seen tlie assassin and 
the incendiary following in the footsteps of the thief and of the robber; we 
have seen corruption festering in our midst and extending its pestilential stench 
to the very core of society. Do we exaggerate, fellow citizens? The bandits have 
a numerous and intelligent army, with chieftains, shrouded in the dark, but 
issuing orders that are obeyed without hesitation b}^ the soldiers. It is a mixing 
of whites and blacks, a confused mass of thieves and assassins, standing 
shoulder to shoulder in their programme of rapine, of plunder and of incen- 
diarism, each one concurring to the ultimate success of the organization — crops, 
cattle, everything in fact that constitutes the riches and welfare of our laborious 
population is exposed to the depredations of these bandits. 



7(; SOUTHWEST L OUISIAXA : 

In this cruel emergenc}' were we to await supinely for the action of the 
courts to check this growing evil, when every one knows that our courts are 
powerless to protect us with jurors who acquit the worst criminals, although 
there be superabundance of proof of their guilt? No! We have banded 
together for self-protection, and the law of self-protection is supreme —and 
armed henceforth with the sword of justice, we have organized temporarih' as 
a tribunal for the trial of bandits and of violators of the law. We have called 
ourselves vigilance committees, and our. programme contains but one word: 
chastisement. The lash and the rope shall be our arms — both terrible and 
dishonorable chastisements. Our organization is that of honest}' against dis- 
honesty, of society against crime, and we fear neither the censure of men nor 
the wrath of our enemies. 

Now, fellow citizens, if you still hope to save from rapine and plunder that 
which j'ou have earned by your labor, if you wish to restore our corrupt society 
to a healthy standard bj' branding with the infamy of exile or of the lash the 
men whose presence in our midst is an insult to public morality and a danger to 
our families, follow our example; fellow citizens, join us in our holy crusade 
against vice and immorality, against rapine and incendiarism, and let us, with 
the lash, print on the back of those wretches a catalogue of their crimes. 

]\Iarch i6, iSjg. By the Executive Committee. 

The effect produced by the issuance of this proclamation was immense, 
and it created a stir in the whole State. The action of these men was discussed 
by the whole press, which went wild on the question. The vigilants found 
warm supporters in the city press and to a large extent in the country press, but 
heeding neither friends nor foes they did not allow themselves to be deterred 
from the object they had in view. The proclamation struck terror in the ranks 
of the organized banditti, and many of them, without awaiting the action of tlie 
vigilants, sought their safety in flight. 

The step taken by the people was a bold one, and savored of revolution, 
but they must not be judged too harshly and with too much levity — a revolution, 
whether on a small or on a large scale, has alwa3's a parent cause, and that 
parent was certainly set forth in the proclamation issued by the vigilants. The 
investigations made by them developed startling facts, on which our restricted 
space does not allow us to comment. Enough of evidence was collected, 
however, to trace the disastrous fire that swept awa}- the business portion of St. 
Martinsville in 1855, ^"^ ^" which fourteen persons perished miserably, to the 
parties who subsequently assumed the names of anti-viyalants. 

Vigilance committees were organized, not onlj^ in the parishes of St. Mar- 
tin and of Lafayette, but also in Vermilion, St. Landry and Calcasieu. The 
uprising was so great, that the organization could marshal from three to four 



HISTORICAL AXn B IOC, KAPlflCAL. 77 

thousand men, well armed and disciplined. The most prominent citizens in 
those parishes took the lead in the movement, and the work of regeneration 
progressed rapidly. Many of the marauders underwent the penalty of the lash ; 
others were driven away into exile, and during six months the whole Teche re- 
gion was on a war footing and in a state of feverish excitement. 

The bandits were demoralized, but the indiscreet zeal of certain officials, 
and the interference of the Governor of the State, infused new life in their 
ranks; a quasi civil war ensued, which might have been productive of the most 
serious results had not the, bandits lacked in manhood what the}' possessed in 
low and degrading instincts. On the 28th of Ma}', 1859, the following procla- 
mation was issued by the Governor of Louisiana : 

PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, oflicial information has been conveyed to us by tlie District Attor- 
ney of the Fourteentli Judicial District of Louisiana, that a certain number of 
persons of the parishes of Vermilion and of St. Martin, organized as vigilance 
committees, have in violation of the law committed sundry outrages on persons, 
and have been guilty of depredations on the property of citizens of these 
parishes, and have resisted the officers of the law who have attempted to put a 
stop to their illgal proceedings; and 

Whereas, it appears that the officers of courts of justice have been unable 
to bring these violators of the law before the courts, with the means within their 
reach. Now, therefore, I have thought proper to issue this my proclamation to 
invite these committees to disband and disperse, and I call on all the good citi- 
zens of the State to lend their assistance for the arrest and prosecution of these 
violators of the law. 

Gi\'en under our signature and the seal of the State at Baton Rouge, this 28th 
dav of May, A. D. 1859, and the eighty-third year of the independence of the 
United States of America. By the Governor: 

Andrew S. Herron, Secretary of State. Robert C. Wickliffe. 

TJie people heeded not this proclamation, wliich had, however, a most disas- 
trous effect on that class of people who were in opposition to the vigilance com- 
mittees. It was received by them with applause aud rejoicings. Imagining that 
the Governor was preparing to advance to their rescue with' the State militia, 
they threw aside all reserve, and banding themselves together as anti-vigilants, 
prepared openly for an aggressive campaign against the vigilants. For this 
purpose, they collected a large quantity of arms and ammunition on the farm 
ot one Emilien Lagrange on Bavou Queue Tortue in the parish of St. Landry, 
this being also the place assigned for their rendezvous. Over eighteen hundred 
anii-vigilants, well armed and equipped, assembled tlie're on the 3d of Septem- 
ber. 1859, ft^-'dy tor their onward march to the town of Lafayette, which was to 



78 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

be burnt to ashes after having been abandomed to pillage and to all the hor- 
rors of a captured town in time of war. 

But while the antis were thus caressing fondly their dream of vengeance, 
the vigilants had been on the alert, and had watched their movements closel}'. 
On the third of September the \igilants, five hundred strong, sallied out of the 
town of Lafaj'ette in three columns, under the leadership of Alfred Mouton, a 
graduate of West Point, he who subsequentl}- died so gloriously on the battje 
field of Mansfield. They had with them a twenty-four brass pounder and one 
hundred rounds of ammunition. This little army \\'as composed of detachments 
from the various companies of the organization, the chiefs having decided that 
this force was sufficient for the emergenc}'. This gallant little band had sallied 
out before day, and had received orders to advance with the least possible noise, 
to avoid detection, as the plan was to take the antis by surprise. On its way it 
was reinforced by two hundred men from St. Landry, and the whole force now 
numbered seven hundred men. Owing to unavoidable delavs on the road, it 
was broad da3light when Bajou Queue Tortue was reached, the antis, drawn 
up in battle array, seemingly ready to withstand the assault of their eneni}-. 

A deadly silence prevailed and a battle was imminent, when, for the purpose 
of avoiding a useless effusion of blood, Governor Alexander Mouton proposed 
to hold a parle}' with the chiefs of the antis. This was. acceded to, and Governor 
Mouton, with Major St. Julien, Captain Valmont Richard and Lieutenant Steak, 
advanced toward the antis, walking up to the fence which enclosed Lagrange's 
house. This was a one-story house, surrounded by a shed. It was " cat and 
claj-ed," and pierced with loop holes. The shining barrels of guns could be 
seen pointed toward the new comers, read\' to be fired at any morrient. La- 
grange and Jones, two anti chieftains, came to the fence — 

" What do )^ou wish, gentlemen?" said Lagrange. 

"We have come," said the Governor, '-to find out the object of j'our 
meeting." 

"It is nothing but a political meeting," answered Lagrange. 

"A political meeting! Wh}', we have no elections this year. But I see that 
j'ou are armed to the teeth. Political meetings are generally held without guns. 
It may be that you have cannons also? " 

"We are too poor to buy cannons," answered Jones; " we meet here to-da\' 
because we have a constitutional right to do so." 

"Very well," said the Governor, " but you liave among you * * * * 
men that have received orders to leave the State ; men that we intend to chastise 
severely for their disobedience to our orders." 

"We know not these men," answered Jones. 

"Then you refuse to deliver them up?" Lagrange answered evasively. 

" Governor," said St. Julien, " what is the use of parleying with these men. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 7» 

since they refuse to deliver tlieir friends; let us return to our post and open 
fire at once.'" 

" Lagrange," said the Governor, " it were well that you should send away 
the women and children I see in your yard; we have come to fight men, and not 
children: '" and then he added, " the responsibility of what follows is yours, not 
ours."" 

The Governor and his escort returned to their posts, the little army was 
deployed for action, the cannon was unmasked, and when the lighted match was 
about to be applied to it there followed in the camp of the antis a scene of con- 
fusion which beggars description. Panic stricken the antis fied in every direc- 
tion ; their army had melted away in the air ; the sight of the cannon had produced 
that most unexpected result. The battle had been won without shedding a drop 
of blood. Then a helter-skelter race took place in the prairie, in the wood, along 
the bayou, between the panic stricken antis and the vigilants, who captured over 
two hundred prisoners, and over a thousand small arms, guns and revolvers. 
The battle was over, and excepting eight}' prisoners, the balance of the antis 
were released and allowed to return to their homes. 

Tlie prisoners were closely examined separately and the testimony of each 
one of them coincided with that of the others, and, being condensed, established 
the fact that their plan was to overrun the parish of Lafayette, to incite the ne- 
groes to revolt against their masters, to burn and sack all the plantations on their 
way to Lafaj'ette, and plunder the safes of Alexander Mouton, Emile Mouton, 
"V. A. Martin, Gerassin Bernard, Alexandre Latcolais, Camille Doucet, Francois 
D'Aigle and others, all of whom were doomed, besides, to a cruel death; and 
lastly to plunder the town of Lafayette and reduce it to ashes after having aban- 
doned it to all the horrors of a town taken by assault. 

The vigilants, not wishing to use extreme measures against deluded men 
who had made a clean breast of their guilt, condemned them to the penalty of 
the lash, and then ordered them to leave the State. 

The battle of Queue Tortue, as this battle of the spurs is called, was a de- 
cisive blow to the pretensions of the antis, and secured forever the supremacy 
of the law in the Teche region. The end aimed at by the vigilance committees 
had been attained ; the bandit organization had been scattered to the four winds : 
peace and quiet had been restored: life and property were now protected, and 
these men, who had spurned the interference of the Governor in this crusade of 
virtue against crime, disbanded ot their own accord. 

Manufacturing Induslries. — Its oil mill and refinery of St. Martin is the largest 
in the state outside of the citj' of New Orleans. It runs da}' and night during eight 
months of the year and presses daily thirty five barrels of cotton seed oil, which 
are immediately clarified, whilst an immense quantity of oilcake and cotton seed 
meal is shipped to Liverpool and other foreign markets. There is also a steam 



so S O UTII WES T LO UISIA NA : 

cotton gin and a steam mill in successful operation in the town. The fire de 
partment is well organized and effective. There are three volunteer fire com- 
panies, and the the town possesses a first-class fire engine, "Evangeline." 

The town council is composed of five trustees, elected yearly by the people. 
The meetings are presided over by the mayor. The mayor has judicial powers 
and sits as a magistrate on the trial of all police matters, and of violations of the 
town laws and ordinances. 

There are four practising physicians in the town. Travelers find neces- 
sary accomodations in its three large and commodious hoteb. There are four 
churches in the town — a Catholic church, an Episcopalian church, these two 
belonging to white congregations, and a colored Methodist and a colored Baptist 
church. 

Brcaitx Bridge. — Breaux Bridge, the one other town of importance in the 
parish of St. Martin, is situated on the banks of the Teche, fifteen miles above 
St. Martinsville. Since the war it has increased rapidly in population and wealth. 
It is located in a highlj' cultivated and productive section of the parish, and is 
noted for the energy, politeness and hospitality of its inhabitants, who are 
mostly of French origin. Its school facilities are good, and the fondness of its 
people for theatrical performances and social gatherings bespeaks their refine- 
ment and sociability. There are two dramatic and literar}' associations in the 
town, each one possessing a large and capacious hall, with an elegant stage for 
the performance of their amateur theatricals. Its race track attracts sportsmen 
from the surrounding parishes, and a vast concourse of people assembles there 
to witness the races which take place several times during the 3ear. 

The commerce of Breau.x Bridge is extensive, and its merchants are noted 
for tlieir enterprise and steadmess in business. Its municipal affairs are 
administered by trustees elected by the people. The ma3-or exercises powers 
similar to those of the mayor of St. Martinsville. There are four practising 
]ih\-sicians living in the town. A wooden bridge spans the Teche, which is not 
navigable at this point during the low stage of the water. This is a -great 
drawback to the prosperity of the town. There is, however, a scheme on foot 
to build locks at some points lower down the Teche for the purpose of im- 
proing its navigation. It is claimed that a system of locks would maintain five 
feet of water in the bayou tlie whole year round. Should this plan be carried 
out successfully, it would have the effect of enhancing greatly the value of the 
lands on the upper Teche, by affording great shipping facilities. 

Although the population amounts now to only 800 inhabitants, there is a 
bright future in store for this neat and thriving little town. 

The Catholic Church. — This is one of the oldest in the State. It was estab- 
lished in 1765 b\' Rev. Jean Frangois, aCapuchin priest and missionary. We read 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 81 

in the American state papers that the land on whicli the church was built had 
been donated by one Dauterive as his share or portion of the contribution for 
tiie construction and edification of the church and priest's house. Tlie land 
donated was situated on both sides of the Teche and had a front six arpents by 
a depth of forty arpents. From 1765 to 1794 the following is a list of the 
names of the officiatingpriests : 1765, Jean Frangois; 1782, Rev. Gcneveau.x; 1783, 
Rev. Gcfrotain ; 1787, Joseph Antoine ; 17S8, Bernard de Deva; 1789, Gjorge 
Murphy; 1794. Father Viel. Father Viel, whose family name was D irby, was 
born in St. Martin, and was a lilteraleur of the first order. His translation of 
Fenelon's masterpiece, Telemachus, in Latin verse, places him at tlie head of 
modern Latin poets. His verse has the sweetness and melody of that of Virgil, 
and Louisiana may indeed be proud of Viel, her gifted son, for he certainly was 
a man of genius. lie died at Paris in the early part of this century. 

From 1794 to 1836 the following were the officiating priests of the St. Mar- 
tin ciiurch : 1795, Rev. Barriere ; 1804, Rev. Isabey, a Dominican, whose mem- 
or\- was long cherished in the colony; 1823, Rev. Marcel Borella. The church 
now standing owes its existence to his liberality. He willed the whole of his for- 
tune to be used in its construction. His tomb, long neglected, has lately been 
transferred into the church, where his remains now rest in the chancel in front 
of the main altar. From 1836 the officiating priests were : 1836, Rev. Jean 
Brasseur; 1840, Henri de St. Aubin ; 1842, Rev. Martin, who consecrated the new 
church building; 1844, Rev. R. L. Lucas; 1845, Rev. L. Dufour, a most talented 
orator; 1848, Rev. Jacques F"onbonne; 1851, Rev. Felix A. i\L Jan. During the 
thirty-six years of his ministry, his many virtues and sterling qualities endeared 
him to the people, who venerated him as their spiritual father. After his death, 
to commemorate his virtues, and as a testimony of the love which they bore him, 
his parishioners have raised a bronze statue, which now graces the green in front 
of the church and which is an ornament to the town. His successor. Rev. 
Barthelemy Langlois, is a worthy priest and a man of scientific attainments. He 
is reputed to be the best botanist of America. 

In 1765 and in the succeeding 3'ears the burial ground at the Poste des Att ak- 
apas was adjoining to the little church built by Rev. Jean Francois. There is 
hardly any vestige left of the old graves, and almost nothing remains of the old 
burial ground except the sweet memor}- of Evangeline, wliose earthly remains 
were there entombed. Her modest grave under the large oak tree is no more 
seen, having been leveled with the ground by the hand of time. Who Evan- 
geline was we may learn from the lips of one who knew her; who wept over her 
when dea'.h had closed her eyes, and who kept her grave green until she herself 
fell in turn under the scythe of relentless death. We here give in full the story 
of Evangeline as related bv Mrs. Bordat, an Acadian exile, to her grand- 



82 SOrjV/Jl'EST LOriSlAXA : 

children. We quote, and in her own words, from the " Reminiscences of ;in 
Old Acadian." 

The Story of Eniinclinc (Evaii^xline) Labiche. — " Emmeline Labiche, 
petiots, was an orphan girl, whose parents had died when she was quite a child. 
I had taken her to my house and raised her as my own daughter. How sweet tem- 
pered ! how loving she was ! She had grown to womanhood with all the attractions 
of her sex, and although not a beauty, in the sense usually given to this word, she 
■was looked upon as the handsomest girl of St. Gabriel. Her fine, transparent hazel 
eyes mirrored faithfull}' her pure thoughts. Her bewitching smile ; her dark 
brown hair waved in graceful undulations on her intelligent forehead and fell 
in ringlets on her shoulders ; her symmetrical shape, all contrived to make her 
an attractive picture of maiden's loveliness. 

" Emmeline had just completed her sixteenth year and was on the eve of 
marr3-ing a deserving, laborious and well-to-do young man of St. Gabriel, named 
Louis Arceneaux. Their mutual love dated back to their earliest years and was 
concealed from no one. All agreed that Providence willed their union as man 
and wife — she the fairest young maiden, he the most deserving youth of St. 
Gabriel. Their bans had been published in the village church; ihe nuptial da)- 
was fixed and their long love dream was about to be realized when the 
barbarous scattering of our colony took place. Our oppressors had driven us 
toward the seashore, where their ships rode at anchor, and Louis, resisting with 
rage and despair, was wounded by them. Emmeline witnessed the whole scene. 
Her lover was carried on board of one of the ships; the anchor was weighed 
and a stiff breeze soon drove the ship out of sight. 

'•Emmeline, tearless and speechless, stood fixed to the spot, motionless as a 
statue ; and when the white sails vanished in the distance she uttered a wild and 
piercing shriek and fell fainting to the ground. When she recovered her senses 
she clasped me in her arms, and in an agon}' of grief she sobbed piteously. 
'Mother, mother,' said she, in broken words, 'he is gone; they have killed him; 
what will become of me?' I soothed her. grief with caresses and endearing names 
until she wept freely, which relieved her anguish. By degrees the violence of 
her grief subsided, but the sadness of her countenance betokened the sorrow 
that preyed on her heart. Henceforward she lived a quiet and retired life, 
mingling no more with her young companions, and taking no part in their 
amusements. The remembrance of her lost love remained enshrined in her 
heart, never to be contaminated by her love for another. Thus she lived in our 
midst, always sweet tempered, with such sadness depicted on her countenance 
and with smiles so sorrowful that we had come to look upon her as not of this 
earth, but rather as our guardian angel, and it was for this that we called her no 
longer Emmeline, but Evangeline, or God's little angel. The sequel of her 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 83 

story is not gay, petiots, and my poor old heart breaks whenever I recall the 
misery of her fate; and while our grandmother spoke thus her whole figure was 
tremulous with emotion. 

" Emmeline, petiots, had been exiled to Maryland with us. She was, as I 
have tokl you, my adopted child, and I loved her with a mother's love. She 
dwelt with me and followed me in my long, weary overland route from Maryland 
to Louisiana. Wlien we reached the Teche country, at the Paste dcs Attakupcti,, 
we found the whole population congregated there to welcome us. As we landed 
from the boat, Emmeline walked by my side, but seemed not to admire the 
beautiful landscape extending on all sides. Alas ! it was of no moment to her, 
\\hether she strolled on tlie poetical banks of the Teche or rambled in the pic- 
turesque sites of hospitable Mar\lr.nd. She lived in the past, and her soul was 
absorbed in her mournful regrets. For her, the universe had lost the prestige 
of its beauties, of its splendor, of its freshness. The radiancy of her dreams 
was dimmed, and she breathed in an atmosphere of darkness and of desolation. 
She walked beside me with a measured step and grave countenance. Suddenly 
she grasped my hand, and, as if fascinated by a vision, she stood rooted to the 
spot. Her very heart's blood suffused her cheek with a crimson flush, and then, 
with the silvery tones of a voice vibrating with jo\' : 'Mother, mother,' she 
cried, 'it is he, it is Louis !' pointing to the tall figure of a man reclining be- 
neath a large oak. That man was Louis Arceneaux. With the rapidity of 
lightning sheflew to his side, and, in an ecstacy of joy and love, cried : 'Louis, 
Louis, I am your Emmeline, your long lost Emmeline. Have you forgotten 
me?' Louis turned ashy pale and hung down his head, without uttering a word. 

" 'Louis,' she said, painfully impressed by her lover's silence and coldness, 
' why do you turn your eyes away from mine? I am still your Emmeline, your 
tjethrothed, and have kept pure and unsullied my plighted faith to you! Not a 
word of welcome, Louis,' she said, as the tears started to her ej'es, 'tell me, 
do tell me, that you love me still, and that joy and surprise at meeting me have 
overcome you and stopped your utterance." Louis Arceneaux, with quivering 
lips and trembling voice, answered: 'Emmeline, speak not so kindh^ to me, 
for I am unworthy of 3'ou. I can love you no longer ; I have pledged mv faith to 
another. Tear from your heart the remembrance of the past, and forgive me.' 
With a quick step he walked away and disappeared in the forest. 

" Poor Emmeline stood trembling like an aspen leaf. I took her hand; it 
was icy cold ; a deadly pallor had overspread her countenance and her eye had a 
vacant stare. Emmeline, mj' dear girl, come, said I; and she followed me like 
a child without resistance. I clasped her in my arms and I wept bitterly: 'Em- 
meline, my dear child, be comforted ; there may 3'et be happiness in store for 
_\()U.' ' Emmeline, Emmeline,' she muttered in an undertone, as if to recall that 
name : then, looking in m\' face with fearfully shining e3'es that made me shudder. 



S4 SOUTHWEST LOriSlANA : 

she said in ii strange, unnatural voice: 'Who are you?' and turned away from 
me. Her mind was unhinged. This last shock had been too much for her 
bioken heart; she was hopelessly insane. 

" Ah, petiots, how strange that beings like Emmeline, so pure and celestial, 
should be the sport of fate and be thus exposed to the shafts of adversity. Is it 
true, then, that the beloved of God are always visited by sore trials? Was it 
tliat our Evangeline was too ethereal a being for the world, and that God would 
liave her in His sweet paradise.' 

"Emmeline never recovered her reason, and deep melinchol}- possessed her. 
Her beautiful countenance was fitfully lighted by a sad smile, which made lier 
all the fairer. She never recognized any one but me, and, nestling in my arms 
like a spoiled child, she would bestow on me the most endearing names and 
fondle me lovingly. As sweet and amiable as ever, everybod}' loved and pitied 
her. When she strolled on the banks of the Teche, plucking the wild flowers that 
strewed her pathway, singing in an undertone some Acadian song, those that met 
her wondered wh}" a being so fair and gentle should have been visited with God's 
wrath . 

" She spoke of Acadia and of Louis in such loving tones that one could not 
listen to her words without shedding tears. She fancied herself to be still the 
sweet girl of sixteen, on the eve of marrying her chosen one, whom she loved 
with so much devotion and constancy, and listened with emotion to the tolling 
of the marriage bells from the village church tower, her countenance brighten- 
ing and her frame trembling with ecstatic joy. In a sudden transition from joy 
to despair her countenance changed; she trembled convulsivel}', gasping and 
struggling for utterance, and pointing her finger at some invisible object; in shrill 
and piercing accents of agony, she would crj' out, ' Mother, he is gone; they 
have killed him; what will become of me?' and, uttering a wild and unnatural 
shriek, she would fall senseless in my arms. Sinking at last under the ravages 
of her mental disease, she e.xpired in my arms without a struggle, and with an 
angelic smile on her lips. She sleeps in her quiet grave, shadowed by the tall 
oak near the little [church at the Poste des Attakapas, and that grave his been 
kept green as long as your grandmother has been able to visit it. Ah ! petiots, 
how sad was the fate of ' Evangeline, God's little angel?' and grandmother buried 
her face in her hands and wept and sobbed bitterly. Our hearts, too, swelled 
with emotion, and sympathetic tears rolled down our cheeks — we crept softly 
away, and left dear old grandmother alone, to think of and weep for her 
Evangeline, God's little angel." 

Pioneer Members of the Bar. — Prior to the adoption of the Louisian i Code 
of iSoS, the practice of the law, although somewhat complicated, offered no 
material difficult)' to tiie practitioner, who had a long string of precedents on 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 85 

whicli to rely for the solution of the most knotty questions. After the cession of 
Louisiana to Spain, the Spanish law had superseded the French law, but had 
caused no inconvenience in the colon}', as the onl}- change brought about by its 
introduction related almost exclusively to municipal arrangements and to the titles 
to real estate. Contracts of a social nature, being more or less interwoven with 
the customs of the people and modified by them, were, to a certain extent, still 
governed 1)}' the French laws. Besides, the Spanish and French laws had a com- 
mon origin, the R >man law. The rules governing matrimonial rights and the 
settlement of estates, whether testamentary or otherwise, were alike, and the 
transition from the French to the Spanish law had hardl}' been felt in the colon\-. 

But the change operated in the practice of the law by the adoption of the 
Louisiana Code of 1808 was most material. It had been to a large extent copied 
almost verbatim from the Napoleon Code, but lately promulgated in France, and 
which had abrogated its droit coiitumier (law of customs) for the purpose of har- 
monizing its wiiole system of laws by a code of positive or written laws. 

The Louisiana Code of 1808, better known as "a digest of ilie civil laws of 
the territory of Orleans, with alterations and amendmints adapted to the present 
govenmient,'" had been prepared with the idea of simplif3-ing all legal proceed- 
ings by divesting them of unnecessary proli.xity, and in this wise to save costs to 
the litigants ; liut it failed of its purpose and had the contrary effect. It repealed 
none of the laws that did not conflict with its provisions, and most of the laws and 
customs contained in the Spanish Partidas, Recopilaciones, Huero viejo, etc., 
remained in full force in the State. 

The contusion resulting from the blending of the two S3-stems of law 
together may be better imagined than explained. The uncertainty of the law 
served to complicate legal mattei-s, as the organization and working of the courts 
of justice under that system were faulty and cumbersome in the extreme. Judge 
Martin, speaking of the Superior Court of the territory of Orleans, of which he 
was one of tlie judges, saj's in the preface to the first volume of his reporls dated- 
October 30, A. D. 1811 : " No one could more earnestl)' deplore, forno one felt 
more distressing!}- the inconvenience of our judicial system. From the smallness 
of the number of judges of the Superior Court, the remoteness of the places where 
it sits and the multiplicity of business, it has become indispensable to allow a quorum 
to consist of a single judge, who often finds himself compelled, alone and 
unaided, to determine the most intricate and important questions, both of law and 
fact, in cases of greater magnitude as to the object in dispute than are generally 
known in the State courts. While from the jurisprudence of this newly acquired 
territory, possessed at different periods by different nations, a number of foreign 
laws are to be examined and compared, and their compatibility with the general 
constitution and laws ascertained — an arduous task anywhere, but rendered 
extremely so here from the scarcity of works of foreign jurists." 



86 SO urn WEST LO UISIA NA : 

As remarked by Judge Martin, the jurisprudence of the newly acquired ter- 
riiory, possessed as it had been at different periods by different nations ; the 
number of foreign laws to be examined and compared, with a scarcity of the text 
books of these laws; the stud)' necessary to reconcile seeming contradictions, 
all of this opened a wide field for the speculations and researches of the law3^er. 
To seek the spirit of those laws he had to grope his way in a maze of conflicting 
questions without a precedent as guide for their solution. These had to be 
reconciled; rules of practice for the future determination of cases similar or 
analogous to those that were being passed upon had to be fixed to serve as beacon 
I'ghts to the practitioners at the bar; in fact, the entire jurisprudence of the State 
was to be created. 

The amount of labor, of study, of researches required to attain this result 
was simply appalling, and such was the task imposed on our pioneer bar and 
judiciary; in the early days of Louisiana. This evil called for a corrective, and 
the Civil Code, promulgated in 1825, was adopted for tliat purpose. It abro- 
gated in a sweejiing manner all the civil laws in force in Louisiana before its 
promulgation. But this abrogation, sweeping as it was meant to be, repealed 
none but the positive and written statutes of France and Spain, and left intact 
those principles of law which had been ingrafted on our jurisprudence by the 
decisions of our courts.* 

It followed from this that the decisions of our courts were the rules by which 
the bar was to be governed in the interpretation and application of the laws, and 
that, in the absence of a judicial decision, the courts and the practitioners were 
to rely solely on the general principles of the civil law. 

It is true, also, that shortly afterward a Code of Practice, remarkable for 
its simplicity and clearness, had been promulgated, but this did not, neverthe- 
less, simplify the law questions which, for the reasons given by Judge Martin, 
remained unusualh^ difficult and important. NotVy-ithstanding the promulgation 
of the Code of Practice in 1825, grave and complicated litigation continued in 
our courts, where the practice bristled with difficulties without precedents to ex- 
plain them away. It required the judicious labors of the judges of the Superior 
Court to brush off the law quibbles and fallacies which are the necessarj- result 
of this state of things. It required incessant work and stud}' to harmonize our 
system of laws, to elucidate what appeared obscure in the body of those laws, 
and to rear bj- degrees the noble structure of the jurisprudence which remains an 
imperishable monument of the talents, learning and integrity of our Supreme 
judges. Their decisions are complete commentaries on almost every article of 
the Civil Code and Code of Practice ; and the questions of law which arise in 
the practice are now easily solved, as precedents are not wanting in our law 
books. 

*Tliiiteenlli Louisi:>na Reports vp. 123). 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 87 

Our pioneer lawyers were active participants in the good results effected by 
the judicious labors of our Superior Court. To their disquisitions on the law, 
to their researches, industry and talents, are due the solution of the important 
questions which have been settled with so much distinction b}' our pioneer 
judges. 

The St. Martin bar, at that early period, was composed of men eminent for 
their learning and \vlio enjoyed a widespread reputation. Prominent among its 
members we must mention Alexander Porter. He was a native of Ireland, and 
was born near Omagh, county Tyrone, in 1786. In 1801 he emigrated to the 
United States, and settled in the Tcche region in 1810, having previously been 
admitted to the bar in Tennessee. lie was a scholar, and had that ready wit 
which characterizes the Irish people. With a glowing imagination, graceful 
■diction and learned eloquence, he soon attained high eminence in his profession 
and was reputed the best lawyer of the St. Martin bar. He Was promoted to 
the Supreme judgeship in 1821, and held that position during twelve years, when 
he resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate. He died in 1844. 
As a judge, Alexander Porter has had no superior in Louisiana. His decisions 
are remarkable for their clearness, depth of reasoning, and for purity and beaut}- 
■of style. They have been several times quoted by the highest tribunal of France 
as authority in civil matters. 

It is related of him that, W'hile he was a practising member of the St. 
Martin bar, his services were retained b}' a prisoner charged with passing coun- 
terfeited bank notes. 'J'lie party accused was well educated, and his manners 
and good breeding were those of one who seemed to have moved in the high 
circles of society. His story, as related by himself, was touching, and, withal, 
so truthful apparently, that Judge Porter was convinced of his innocence. The 
case was tried before a jury and he was acquitted. The prisoner wept for joy, 
and, as a mark of his gratitude for the valuable services of his attorney, he 
begged of him to accept $500 instead of the $250 that had been agreed upon 
for a fee. The amount was paid and the discharged prisoner left for his home 
in Texas. 

A few weeks afterward Judge Porter went to the cit}- of New Orleans, his 
purse well stocked with the bank notes of his friend, the Texan. Having pur- 
chased some merchandise in a store on Chartres street, he handed over to the 
merchant one of these bank notes. The merchant, discovering that the bank 
note was a counterfeit, called in a police officer, who arrested Judge Porter for 
passmg counterfeit bills. Despite his protests, he had to follow the officer to 
the station, where his incarceration lasted only a few minutes. Having ascer- 
tained that all the bank notes he had received from his client were counterfeit, 
he related his experience with the Te.xan to the great merriment of the by- 
standers. 



88 SOUT/nVEST LOUISIANA : 

Edward Simon and Cornelius Voorhies became members of the St. Martin 
bar a few years after the promotion of Alexander Porter to the Supreme bench. 
]Mr. Simon was a native of Belgium, and settled in the Teche region when quite 
a youth. He was well educated, of prepossessing appearance. He mastered the 
English language, and was no sooner admitted to the bar than he became one of 
its leading members. His eloquence, added to his profound knowledge of the 
law, made him a powerful debater, and no one knew better than he how to 
address and capture a jury. He was appointed judge of the Supreme Court, 
and maintained in that high position the reputation he had acquired at the bar. 
His decisions are noted for clearness and for soundness of reasoning. 

Cornelius Voorhies had to contend in his youth with the disadvantages of 
an insufficient education. By dint of study he oveFcame all difficulties, and his 
grasping mind had soon mastered, not only the English language, his vernacu- 
lar, but also the French language, which he spoke elegantly and with a pure 
accent. His knowledge of the civil law was profound, and his eloquence was of 
that kind which sways the masses. His practice was very lucrative. He was 
exceedingly popular, and never experienced a defeat whenever he consented to 
become a candidate before the people. He was successively elected district 
attorney, district judge, and finally one of the judges of the Supreme Court 
under the Constitution of 1852. He was succeeded on the bench by his son, 
Albert Voorhies. His decisions denote great learning, and his style is elegant 
and simple. 

Iskac E. Morse, another member of that earl}' bar, became Attorney Gen- 
eral of the State of Louisiana, and filled that position with honor to himself and 
to the State. He once had a suit pending before the Supreme Court, It was a 
case of some importance, and had attracted a good deal of attention in the dis- 
trict. Judge Cornelius Voorhies was the adverse counsel. On the da}' of the 
trial Mr. Morse rose from his seat to address the court, when Judge Martin 
remarked: " Mr. Morse it is unnecessary ; the court is with 3'ou. We will hear 
the adverse counsel." Mr. Morse bowed graciously to the court and 
resumed his seat, with a beam of complacenc}' on his countenance. Nothing 
daunted by the opinion expressed so freel}' and openly by the court. Judge 
Voorhies argued his case with great fervor, ability and eloquence. To the great 
dismay of Attorne\' General Morse the court the next day brought in a decision 
in favor of Judge Voorhies' client. The year after, being about to argue one 
of his cases in the Supreme Court, he was again interrupted by the court, 
Judge Martin again remarking; '• Mr. Morse, it is unnecessarj^; the court is 
with 5'ou."" " Please the court,"' answered Mr. Morse, " last year the court 
was with me in the Broussard case, and the decision went against my client. I 
•^refer to aryue mv case if the court will allow it."" This retort excited the 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 89 

merriment of the bar in-attendance. He was allowed to proceed witli his argu- 
ment, and this time the court decided in his favor. 

John Bronson was a civilian of no mean oider, and accumulated great 
wealth as a lawyer. He was a leading attorney in all land suits, which were 
then of grant importaoce by the frequent recurrence of disputed claims. Most 
of the land owners held their titles from the Spanish government, and errors of 
location occasioned a great deal of litigation. 

William Brent, also one of the pioneer lawyers of the St. Martin bar, was a 
man of great ability and withal a powerful logician. His practice was large and 
lucrative, and he lived in affluence. He was a native of Maryland and had set- 
tled in the Teche region, which presented then a fine opening to the lawyer and 
a wide field for success. He descended from the Brent family that had ex 
tended such a generous and noble hospitality to the poor Acadian exiles cast 
away on the shores of Maryland by their British oppressors, and who had subse- 
quently emigrated to Louisiana. These Acadians had always felt the deepest 
gratitude for the kindness of the Brent family, and the name of Brent had been 
kept in particular veneration and esteem b}' their descendants. No wonder that 
the popularity of William Brent should have been so great with the Acadian 
population of the Teche Bayou. 

Edward Heard, Alexander Derbes, Joseph Parrot of tiie firm of Brent & 
Parrot, Augustus Magill, Thomas C. Nichols and Cesare Delahoussaye were 
also pioneer members of the St. Martin bar, and men of ability, coping with dis- 
tinguished honor with the several members of the bar of whom passing notice 
has been given. Tht-y were mostly men of means who relied not on their pro- 
fession for a living. 

The St. Martin bar ha? held a dislinguished rank in the legal fraternity of 
tlie State, and five of its membeis have successively occupied the Supreme 
Bench of Louisiana, to-wit: Alexander Porter, Edward Simon, Sr., Cornelius 
Voorhies, Albert Voorhies and Alcibiades DeBlanc. 

The St. Martin bar is now composed of C. H. Mouton, Edward Simon, Jr., 
Felix Voorhies, Robert Martin, Raphael DeBlanc, Dan. W. Voorhies, Louis J. 
Voorhies, James Simon and James E. Mouton, who is now the judge of the 
district. — Felix Voorhies. 



l^^^^^W^ 



CHAPTER IV. 

Parish of Iberia — Generai. Description — Water Courses, Etc. — Resi- 
dences AND PLANT.VriONS PrAIRIE AU LaRGE GrAND Co'IT. AND 

Petit Anse Islands — A Pisgah View — The Avery Salt Mines — 
Indian Relics — Joe Jefferson's Island — Lake Peigneur — A Land 
Flowing with Milk .\nd Honkv — Early Settlers — First Aimericans 
— The Acadians — Organiz.\tion of Parish — First Court Housf — 
Public Improvement.s — The Medical Profession — Yellow Fever 
Epidemics — (Jld "Felicity" — Lawyers — Educational — Public 
Schools — New Iberia Laid Out — Maxuf.-vcturing Industries — The 
Oil Mill — Churches, Neavsp.\pers, Etc. — Military — Jeannerette 
AND Other Towns of Smaller Note, Etc., Etc. 

"Away back in the by-gone times, 
_ Lost 'mid the rubbish of forgotten things." 

HISTORICALLY, Iberia parish is a paft of the A..ttakapas distiiet. It is 
.^ ^ an ohl settled parish. Of those who first saw it in its primitive beautv, 
o'^ tiie young men have grown old, and the old are in their graves. The 
country is still beautiful, though its virgin beaut}' iias been despoiled bv the 
hand of the husbandman. 

The parish of Iberia is rather rough and ragged in its geographical bound- 
aries. It may be called a gulf parish, though the parish proper lies some 
distance from the gulf, but Marsh Island, which belongs lo Iberia, is on the 
gulf coast. The parish of Iberia is bounded on the north b.y St. Martin's 
parish, on the east by Assumption parish, on the south by St. Mary's parish 
and Cote Blanche Bay, and on the west by Vermilion parish. Much of its 
eastern portion is water and cypress swamp. The tillable land along the west 
side of the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Teche, from the parish line below 
Jeannerette to New Iberia, called the "Prairie au Large," has a vvidtli of about 
si.x miles, and it is a little wider above, between the railroad and Lake Peigneur: 
the land, from the line where the railroad enters the parish below Jeannerette to 
the line where it leaves it west of Lake Tasse, is about twenty miles in extent. 
All the land is tillable between Lake Peigneur and Lake Tasse, and in the great 
bend of the Teche northeast of New Iberia. And there is some fine tillable 
and grazing land south of Lake Peigneur. 

The Teche is lined with plantations nearly the entire distance from its 
entrance into the parish east of Lake Tasse to the line where it leaves the parish 
below Jeannerette. The portion of the parish that borders on Grand Lake is 



92 .S- O Uril J I 'ES T L O CIS I A XA : 

a dense cypress swamp, and bordering on this swamp there is a growtli of gum, 
ash, oak and other timber. Around the great bend of the bayou, called Fausse 
Pointe, the tillable land has a width of several miles. The lands of the parish 
are'all rich. On the west side of the bayou there is a scarcit}- of woodland; on 
the east side there is an abundance of fine cypress and wood for sugar making. " 
From the point where the Teche enters the parish, about five miles below 
St. Martinsville bj' its winding course, the distance to New Iberia is about twenty- 
five miles. Tiie scenery here is extremely beautiful and picturesque. The banks 
are generally about eighteen feet above the water and they slope gentlj'to it at an 
angle of less than thirty degrees. The bayou around the bend, in the low water 
season is about ninety feet wide and hss a depth on its most shallow bars of 
about 3J^ feet. Forest trees and water willows line both banks most of the 
distance. There are many live oaks, pecans and other noble forest trees grow- 
ing on both banks of the ba30u, and 

"Over tlieir luads the towering and tenebrous boughs * * * 
Meet in a dusky arch, and trailing mosses in inid air 
. Wave like banners that hang on the walls of ancient cathedrals." 

The houses of the planters and small farmers are generally situated not a 
hundred yards from the edge of the bayou. " Most of tlie houses are plain but 
coiufortable, and the improvements are plain, but the proprietors are quite inde- 
pendent. Below New Iberia the Teche is broader and deeper than above, the 
plantations are larger, the houses and improvements finer, and there are fewer 
trees growing on its banks. Here are palatial residences, grand sugar houses 
with chimneys towering skyward, plantation villages called 'the quarters,' orange 
groves, groves of the mespilus, flower gardens and beautiful shrubber}', floating 
bridges, and the general paraphernalia of wealth and lordly possessions."* 

Prairie an Large. — This is the beautiful body of land lying south and 
west of the town of New Iberia. It is as fine prairie land as can be found any- 
v\'hefe. The following sketch of it was compiled by Mr. Dennett some twentj'- 
five years ago: "This prairie has natural drains, which, by being opened a 
little, would relieve the whole country from surface water after rains. Leading 
natural ditches penetrate parts of the prairie, and into these the ravines may be 
opened at small expense. This fertile prairie must, at no distant day, be put 
in a high stale of cultivation by small farmers. Though there are many thrifty 
little fields now under fence, we doubt if a tenth part of the prairie is cultivated. 
Small tracts from forty to two hundred acres can be bought for ten dollars per 
acre, and even less. Large planters can not come into this prairie and put up 
new and expensive inachiner\^ with an}'^ show of success. A small farmer can 
start with cheap improvements, tuake ten, twenty, or fifty hogsheads of sugar 




^-^^^<rt^c<_ '-<J I 



c<_ ^J <i%-c-<: 



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HISTORICAL AXD hlOGRAPIIICAL. 05 

yearly with a certainty of success. His coal may be haul;d from the banks of 
the Teche at his leisure at anv season of the 3'ear in dry weather. A ton of 
coal, at a cost of six dollars and fifty cents on the bayou, will boil a hogshead of 
sugar. In addition to the sugar crop the small farmer could raise milch cows 
for sale, and make butter and cheese for the New Orleans market; and poultr}-, 
eggs, garden vegetables, fresh pork, broom corn, corn, ha}', potatoes, melons, 
fruits and other productions may all be sold for ready money or goods at New 
Iberia or in New Orleans. 

"It is a lovely and wonderful countr}'. Its bayous, lakes, prairies and 
woodlands are all beautiful. Its soil is ricli, deep and inexhaustible. Sea 
breezes roll over it, and give health and long life to its inhabitants. Its climate 
is a medium between the tropical and the north temperate, combining most of 
the advantages of both and the evil of neither. Steamers from New Orleans 
and vessels from the ocean penetrate to its very center, and the cars of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad, connecting New Orleans and the Pacific Ocean, in a 
few years (do now) will pass over it." 

Grand Cote Island in this parish is a beautiful place. It is some two miles 
in diameter and nearly round. On one of the bluffs there is a fine view of the 
■Surrounding country of hillsides, valleys, ravines and level plains, timber and 
open lands, cane brakes and pastures. In one direction is a bold elevation cov- 
ered with a heavy growth of timber, and hillsides almost as steep as mountains. 
In another direction, away down below, between steep elevations, a fine, fresh 
water lake is spread out, with water lilies upon its surface, the brandies of mag- 
nificent forest trees extending far out over the water. It needs but a few white 
swans to complete the picture, and make it perfectly enchanting. 

Mr. Dennett thus describes a residence on this island: A dwelling is on a 
handsome bluff of regular shape, about one hundred and fifty feet above the 
level of the gulf. Beautiful shade trees and the sea breeze keep the yard and 
the house cool, even in the hottest summer days. The yard all around is well 
set in Bermuda grass. In front, the sea marsh extends out a hundred yards, 
and beyond this the water of the gulf spreads out under a blazing sun. To the 
right is a baj^ou twenty feet deep, with five feet of water on the bar at its mouth. 
Any of the bayou steamers can run up to the landing, a few hundred yards from 
the dwelling. Redfish and many other fine fish are found in abundance in the 
bayou. There are oj'ster reefs not far off. In the garden there is a splendid 
arbor of scuppernong grape vines, about thirty feet square, roof nine feet high, 
the vines flowing down to the ground on all sides, making a complete room, with 
fruit walls and ceiling. These vines produce a bountiful- crop of grapes every 
year. There is no doubt that this chain of islands is admirably adapted to grape 
culture, and will, at some future da}', become as celebrated for its wines as 
the islands of any portion of Europe. Fruit, also, appears to do well on all these 



96 SOI 'TH U ^ES T L O UISIA AVI ; 

islands. Grand Cote Island contains a surface of about two thousand arces, 
. six hundred acres of which are in timber, the balance in pasture, or under culti- 
vation. Any one may visit Grand Cote, Cote Blanche or Petit Anse Islands in 
a buggy, and when not too wet, this road will be found pretty good, and alwa\s 
entireh' safe. 

At \-arious localities, all over the island, tine, thrifty forest trees may be 
seen, which add much to the beauty of the scenery. The island, viewed from 
the highest pinnacle, is picturesque and beautiful beyond anything in the State. 
Its gentle undulations, its peaks, hills, valleys, ponds, its towering magnolias and 
/ n(>ble oaks, its ash and cypres?, its fields of blooming cotton and waving cane — 
all inspire the most pleasant emotions in the breast of any beholder who loves to 
look on nature when she puts on her finest robes and appears in her most 
bewitching mood. 

The plantation known as Weeks p'aiitation, under aliigh state of cultivation on 
this island, has on it all the buildings and improvements common to the largest and 
most successful sugar estates in Attakapas; a large brick sugar house, slate roof 
and powerful engine and sugar mill, capacity for taking off and saving six or 
eight hundred hogsheads of sugar j-early; the plantation is in fine condition, the 
soil is of unsurpassed fertility, and the estate has always been one of the most 
productive and successful in this section of Louisiana. 

Petit Ai/se Island. — This island has a vaiiety of names, and is one of the 
interesting spots in Iberia parish. It is called, besides the name at the head of 
this paragraph, Avery's Island, Salt Island, etc., as suits the person's taste who 
speaks of it or writes about it. It contains about twentj'-two hundred arpents of 
upland and twelve hundred arpents of timber, cypress, gum, magnolia, oak, etc. 
It is about ten miles in diameter, and, like Grand Cote, is nearly round. It is 
composed of hills, valleys, ravines, ponds, woodlands, open fields and pas^tures, 
the whole surrounded on all sides by sea marsh, which, in the distance, has the 
appearance of dry, level prairie. 

In an article written for Harper's Magazine (Februar_y number, 1887), en 
titled " The Acadian Land," Mr. Charles Dudley Warner thus particularizes 
Iberia parish : 

•'From New Iberia southward toward Vermilion Bay stretches a vast prai- 
rie ; if it is not absolutely flat, if it resembles the ocean, it is the ocean when its 
long swells have settled nearly to a calm. This prairie would be monotonous were ' 
it not dotted with small round ponds, like hand-mirrors for the flitting birds and 
sailing clouds, were its expanse not spotted with herds of cattle scattered or clus 
tered like fishing boats on a green sea, were it not for a cabin here and there, 
afield of cane or cotton, a garden plot, and were it not for the forests which 
break the horizon line and send out dark capes into the verdant plains. On a 
gray day, or when storms and fogs roll in from the gulf, it might be a gloomy 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 97 

region, but under the sunlight and in the spring it is full of life and color; it has 
an air of refinement and repose that is very welcome. Besides tlie uplift of the 
spirit that a wide horizon is apt to give, one is conscious here of tlie neighbor- 
hood of the sea, and the possibilities of romantic adventure in a coast intersected 
by ba3'ous and the presence of novel forms of animaland vegetable life, and of a 
people with habits foreign and strange. There is also a grateful sense of free- 
dom and expansion. 

The Salt Mine. — " Soon, over the plain, is seen on the horizon, ten miles 
from New Iberia, the dark foliage of Petit Anse, on Averj-'s Island. Tliis 
unexpected upheaval from the marsh, bounded by the narrow circling Petit 
Anse Bayou, rises into the sky one hundred and eighty feet, and has the effect 
in the flat expanse of a veritable mountain, comparatively a surprise, like Pike's 
Peak seen from the elevation of Denver. Perhaps nowhere else would a hill of 
one hundred and eighty feet make such an impression on ihe mind. Crossing 
the baj'ou, where alligators sun themselves and eye with affection the colored 
people angling at the bridge, and passing a long causewaj- over the marsh, the 
firm land of the island is reached. This island, which is a sort o^ geological 
puzzle, has a very uneven surface, and is some two and a half miles long by 
one mile broad. It is a pretty little kingdom in itself, capable of producing in 
its soil and adjacent waters nearh' ever\thing one desires of the necessaries of 
life. A portion of the island is devoted to a cane plantation and sugar works; 
a part of it is covered with forests ; and on the lowlands and gentle slopes, 
besides thickets of palmetto, are gigantic live-oaks, moss-draped trees monstrous 
in girth, and towering into the sky with a vast spread of branches. Scarcely 
anywhere else will one see a nobler growth of these stately trees. In a depression 
is the famous salt mine, unique in qualit}' and situation. Here is grown and put 
up the Tobasco pepper; here amid fields of clover and flowers a large apiary 
flourishes. Stones of some value for ornament are found. Indeed I should not 
be surprised at anj'thing turning up there, for I am told that good kaoline has 
been discovered ; and aboiit the residences of the hospitable proprietors roses 
bloom in abundance, the china tree blossoms sweetly, and the mocking bird 
sings all the day long. 

" But better than all these things I think I like the view from the broad cottage 
piazzas, and I like it best when the salt breeze is strong enough to sweep away 
the coast mosquitoes — a most undesirable variet}'. I do not know another view 
of its kind for extent and color comparable to that from this hill over the waters 
seaward. The expanse of luxuriant grass, brown, golden, reddish, in patches, 
is interested by a net-work of bayous, which gleam like silver in the sun, or trail 
like dark fabulous serpents under a cloudy sk}'. The scene is limited only by 
power of the eye to meet the sky line. Vast and level, it is constantly chang- 
ing, almost in motion with life; the lone crrass and weeds run like waves when 



08 SO UTH 1 1 'ES T LO UIS7A XA : 

the wind blows, great shadows of clouds pass on its surface, alternating masses 
with vivid ones of sunlight; fishing boats and the masts of schooners creep 
along the threads of water; when the sun goes down, a red globe of fire in the 
gulf mists, all the expanse is warm and rudd}', and the waters sparkle like 
jewels ; and at night under the great field of stars marsh fires here and there give a 
sort of lurid splendor to the scene. In the winter it is a temperate spot, and at 
all times of the year it is blessed by an invigorating sea breeze. Those who 
have enjoyed the charming social life and the unbounded hospitalit}' of the fam- 
ily who inhabits this island may envy them their paradise, but they would be 
able to select none others so worthy to enjoy it. 

" It is said the Attakapas Indians are shy of this island, ;having a legend that 
it was the scene of a great catastrophe to their race. Whether tliis catastrophe 
has any connection with the upheaval of the salt mountain I do not know. 
Many stories are current in this region in regard to the discovery of this deposit. 
A little over a quarter of a centur}- ago it was unsuspected. The presence of salt in 
the water of a small spring led somebody to dig in the place, and at a depth of 
sixteen feet below the surface, solid salt was struck. In stripping awa}' the soil 
several relics of human workmanship came to light, among them stone imple- 
ments and a woven basket, exactly such as the Attakapas make now. This 
basket, found at the depth of sixteen feet, lay upon the salt rock, and was in a 
perfect preservation. Half of it can now be seen in the Smithsonian Institution. 
At the beginning of the late war great quantities of salt wei-e taken from this 
mine for the use of the Confederacy. But this supply was cut off by the Unionists, 
who at first sent gun-boats up the bayou within shelling distance, and at length 
occupied it with troops. 

"The ascertained area of the mine is several acres; the depth of the 
deposit is unknown. The first shaft was sunk a hundred feet ;'below this a 
shaft of seventy feet fails to find any limit to the salt. The excavation is already 
large. Descending, the visitor enters vast cathedral-like chambers; the sides 
are solid salt, sparkling with crj'stals; the floor is solid salt; the roof is solid 
salt, supported on pillars of salt, left by the excavators, forty or perhaps sixty 
feet square. When the interior is lighted by dynamite the effect is superbly 
weird and grotesque. The salt is blasted by dynamite, loaded into cars, which 
run on rails to the elevator, hoisted and distributed into the crushers, and from 
the crushers directly into the bags for shipment. No bleaching or cleansing 
process is needed ; the salt is almost absolutely pure. Large blocks of it are sent 
to the western plains for ' cattle licks.' The mine is connected by rail with the 
main line of the Southern Pacific at New Iberia." 

In addition to the relics found at the salt mine mentioned in the foregoing 
article, the miners have found others that have attracted the attention of scientists. 
The bones of the mastadon, have been found there, and scientists agree, that 



IIISrORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 91) 

tlie mastadon disappeared from ihe earlli many centuries ago. How long 
these bones and relics have been lying side by side in the salt formation of 
Petit Anse Island is unknown, and can only be conjectured by the geologist 
from a geological standpoint. Some of these scientific gentlemen have reckoned 
that the mastadon, or mammoth, was here witli the mound builders, and tliese 
peculiar people, of wiiom we know nothing, but conjecture a great deal, from 
the relics found in the mounds they heaped up, must have passed away a 
thousand years or more ago. That the mastadon and mound builder were here 
contemporaneously has been demonstrated by finding pipes and pottery ware in 
the mounds with images of the mastadon engraved upon them. As the mound 
builders had no written language, they could know nothing from having read of 
the mastadon but must have gained their information from a personal acquaintance 
with his majesty. And, as touching the mound bi ilders, the Indians had not the 
faintest tradition of them, or the mounds they erected in a continuous line from 
•our northern lakes down the Mississippi Valley into Mexico, and thence into 
South America. 

Oroiige Island. — This beautiful island is on a line with Petit Anse, Grand 
Cote and- Cote Blanche Islands, and each is separated from the neighboring 
island b}' a distance'of about si.x miles. Orange IsUind rises above Lake Peigneur 
and the surrounding prairie as the other islands rise above and overlook the sur- 
rounding sea marsh. The island is about eight3'-four feet above the level of the 
gulf. It has hills, valleys, level and inclined planes, and from its bluff banks in 
places the branches of the trees hang out over the waters of Lake Peigneur. 
A constant sea breeze renders the spot healthy and delightful as a place of 
residence. 

Tliere were, j-ears ago, some six thousand orange trees on this island, bear- 
ing an immense crop of oranges yearly. Most of them are still in fine condition, 
some of them having bodies more than a foot in diameter. There were two 
thousand bearing pecan trees, a large number of the better kinds of cherries, and 
some fig, peach, quince, lemon and palm trees; several avenues of live-oak and 
other growth, and a grove of stately magnolias. Seen from the summit of the 
bluff, Lake Peigneur spreads out almost beneath the feet of the observer, while 
the gleam of the silvery surface closes the vista of the principal avenues leading 
from the house. 

The owner of this beautiful and valuable pro,)erty is Mr. Joseph Jefferson, 
the great and world-renowned actor, the hero of Rip Van Winkle. He has 
spent large sums of money in improving, until it is one of the most beautiful and 
valuable estates in Southwest Louisiana. Mr. Jefferson frequently visits it and 
remains weeks and months in fishing and enjo3'ing a quiet vacation. 



100 SOrTIIWESJ' LOUISIAXA : 

Lake Peigncur. — Tliis beautiful lake, sometimes called Lake Simonette, 
is one of ihe finest sheets of water in the Attakapas countiy, or in the State, for 
that matter. It is about nine miles west of New Iberia, about ten miles north of 
Vermilion Bay and about six miles from the salt mines on Petit Anse Island. It 
is about three miles long and one mile wide, and its greatest depth thirty-two feet. 
It is fed by numerous springs that break out of the ground around the margin of 
the lake. Fish of all kinds found in the waters of this region of the country 
abound in Lake Peigneur, and nni}- be caught in profusion any season of the 
year. The supply is inexhaustible. Tlie country around this lake is verj' beauti- 
ful and picturesque. 

Lake Tasse, or Spanish Lake, more commonly called by tlie latter mme 
among the people, lies within two miles of the town of- New Iberia. It is some 
five miles long and nearl}- oval in shape. Its greatest depth is about twenty feet; 
its margin mostly fringed with grass and water lilies. This lake, like Lake 
Peigneur, swarms with fishes of every kind found an\'where in this region, from 
the sardine to trout and perch. Some of the trout are said to be two and a half 
feet long. The lake is fed b^- springs that break out around the margin. There 
is a large boiling spring in the middle of the lake that is supposed, from its boil- 
ing proclivity, to come directly up from "sheol," as its depth has never been 
readied. The Teclie is ab jut seven hundred yards from Lake Tasse at the 
nearest point, and its surface is about eight feet above the level of the ba\ou. 

The Planter's Banner thus describes a trip of its editor made in 1S69 
through Iberia parisii. Though it was more than twenty years ago, it illustrates 
the resources of the country as well as if made last year. " In company with 
Dr. Shaw we called atthe sugarhouse of Ducleon Bonin, across tlie bayou, twelve 
miles from New Iberia. The sugar house was made of pieux and rough plank, 
dirt floor, everything rough and cheap. The sugar house and mill house cost 
$650; tlie mill, second-hand, 32-inch cylinder, cost$5oo; the kettles, capacity for 
two hogsheads in twenty-four houi\s, cost $i.SO, second-hand ; the whole cost of 
all, $1200. They will make forty-five hogsheads of sugar and sixty barrels of 
molasses, worth over $5000. They have made two hogsheads to the acre from 
stubble cane; they make si.\ hundred barrels of corn. 

" The three Bonin brothers were raised in Fausse Pointe, served through 
the civil war in the Confederate arm}', lost all their slaves and nearly all their 
other property but one hundred and seventy acres of land, where they now live. 
Last year they went into the swamp, cut the timber and floated it out with their 
ownhands, made their pieux, and, tenora dozen neighboring Creoles joining them, 
they put up tlieir pieux sugar house in one daj'. The sugar house entire cost no 
money, except for a keg of nails ; the house has a dirt floor ; the molasses drains 
so as to catch it in an old sugar kettle, and from this it is barreled for market. 
These three brothers will this vear make thirty hogsheads of sugar. They are 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 101 

now making two liogsheads to the acre, and they will have two hundred barrels 
of corn to sell. They cultivated their crop with Creole horses of tlieir own. 
This is a sami>le of what white Creole labor can do in the cultivation of sugar." 
From all tliese flattering descriptions of the lands of Iberia parish, it is a 
fact evident to any one that if the Garden of Eden was not here, there was a 
mistake in the place of its location, for certainly these are the lands, of which 
the poets sings — 

"Tneir rocks and hills and brooks and vales 
With milk and honey flow." 

Well, it is a fin? country, there is no gainsaying that, if rich lands, favorabl}^ 
located, and having a salubrious and healthful climate, make a fine country. A 
man who would not be satisfied with it, would not be satisfied with a section of 
the "Promised Land." Appropriate to the above is an extract from Hon. 
Charles Gayarre's "Poetr}' of theHistory of Louisiana." Speaking of the title 
of liis book, he says: "I am prepared to sliow that her history is full of poetry 
of the highest order, and of the most varied nature. I have studied the subject 
con ciniorc, and with such reverential enthusiasm, and I may saj' with sucli filial 
piety, that it has grown upon my heart, as well as upon my mind. To support 
tlie assertion tliat the history of Louisiana is eminently p3etical, it will be suffi- 
cient to give sliort, graphical descriptions of tliose interesting events which con- 
stitute her annals. Bright gems they are, enriching her brow, diadem-like, and 
worth}- of that star which has sprung from her forehead to enrich the American 
constellation in llie firmament of liberty." 

Early Settlements. — The early settlements in the parish of Iberi.i date 
back as far as in St. Landry or St. Martin. Tiie first settlers were Spaniards. 
Among them were the Seguras, the Romeros, the Viators, Miguez, Domi- 
niques, etc. Next came the Acadians, descendants of the French, who had long 
before settled in the peninsula of Nova Scotia. These were the Decuirs, Brous- 
sards, Breaux, Moutons and others. The story of their expulsion from Nova 
Scotia by the English is already told in the chapters on St. Landr}' and St. 
Martin parishes. The\' were exiled to different sections on the Atlantic border 
for hundreds of miles, from whence many of them sought the wilds of Louis- 
iana undei" tiie guidance of Father Marquette, down the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers. A large number of them drifted down the Atlantic coast as far as 
Maryland and Charleston, South Carolina, and then made their waj' across the 
countrj' to Louisiana. They plunged into the wilderness, with their faces turned 
westward, and they did not burn the bridges behind them, because there were 
none to burn. The}' were of that hardy race of men and women to whom tlie 
perils of the wilderness was as nothing, if a home — a home free and untram- 
meled — stood at the end of their journe}-, \Yhere the}' could " worship God 



102 SO UTH WEST LO UISIA XA : 

according to the dictates of their own conscience." witli none " to molest or 
make them afraid." 

Among the early settlers of Iberia who came directly from France were the 
DeBlancs, the Delahoussayes, the Gonsoulins — one of the original surveyors of 
the country — the Devezins, the Oliviers, the St. Clairs and the Declouets. 
There are still to be found in this and the surrounding country descendants of 
these old aristocratic families, manj' of them with the blood of the Frencli no- 
bility in their veins. Their settlement in what is now the parish of Iberia, was 
long the nucleus, and great spot of attraction of French emigrants. During the 
French occupancy of Louisiana, DeBlanc, the ancestor of this distinguished 
family in America, was the commandant of Western Louisiana. 

The first American settlers came here soon after the battle of New Orleans, 
an event that seemed to open up this rich countrj^ to settlement from the States. 
The most prominent of these were John G. Wilkins, Governor Baker, and the 
Smiths and Youngs. Wilkins was from ^"il•ginia. He was ver}- wealthy, and 
brought a number of slaves here with him, and became an extensive sugar 
planter. He reared a large famil}', and has many descendants in the State. 
Governor Baker was a prominent man, and after the close of the war of 1812 
he was appointed Military Governor of Louisiana. The Smiths and Youngs 
came from Maryland, and have scores of descendants still living to perpetuate 
tliese good old American names. A few Irish followed about this time, promi- 
nent among whom vvas Judge Alexander Porter. He was a judge of the Supreme 
Court, and elected from the bench, upon which he had served twelve years, to 
the United States Senate, where he was a compeer of Clay and Webster and 
Calhoun. He is flatteringly noticed in the St. Martinsville pioneer bar by one 
who knew him well. 

The Pioneers. — Dr. Alfred Duperier, in a newspaper article written a few 
vears ago, saj-s of tlie pioneers: " We see as early as 1788 the census shows the 
coljny of Ibenato number one hundred and ninet)' souls. The different nationalities 
not being detailed in the census referred to, it is difhcult to determine who were the 
pioneers of this immediate post or settlement. Whilst the majority of them were, 
no doubt, Spaniards, they must have been preceded, if not by the French colonists 
under St. Denys and Bernard de la Harpe, who settled Natchitoches and Alex- 
andria from 1715 to 1719, by the Acadian French, who flocked to Louisiana after 
the treaty of Aix la Chapelle in 1759. The writer inclines to the belief that the 
pioneer settlers of this section were originally from France. That they ac- 
companied the grantees to lands, made under the regime of Bienville, isjconfirm- 
ed by names transmitted to the present generation. Among the descendants of 
the original French we find at Opelousas tlie Lastrapes, the Louailliers, the 
Martels; at the Cote Gelee, where one of the earliest trading posts was estab- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 103 

lished at the present site of Broiissardville, we find the Lassalles and the Si. 
Juliens; at this place (New Iberia) and at St. Martins we find tlie DeBhincs, De)- 
ahoussayes, Declouets and Fusehers. One of the earhest among tlie Frencii 
commandants was the Chevaher DeBlanc. Of the first Acadians we have the 
INIoutons, Dupres, Guidrys, Broussards, Dugas, Breaux, Bernards and Decuirs." 

The Aciidiaui. — Tliese people, perliaps, outnumbered any other one brancli 
of the earl}' settlers of Iberia parisJi; therefore everytliing pertairing to them will 
be found of interest to the general reader. The following newspaper article 
contains some interesting historical facts of the early Acadians: 

" The province of Acadia, in the peninsula of Nova Scotia, was ceded b}' 
France to England in 1713. The inhabitants, however, continued to expect and 
desire reunion with France. In 1755 an expedition was fitted out in Massachu- 
setts, and sailed for Nova Scotia, May 20 of that year, under the command of 
Gen. Moncton, and landed in JBne, and soon conquered the whole of the pen- 
insula. The Acadians doubtless sympathized with their countrj^men of French 
descent, and gained thereby the enemity of the British governor, who required 
every one of them to take the oath of allegiance to the British crown, and at 
the same time renounce allegiance to France. This the Acadians refused to 
•do. The British general then ordered them to instantly' go on board the British 
ships and be transported to other climes. They were driven at the point of the 
bayonet from their homes, and transported in British ships to Louisiana, which 
then belonged to France, settled along the coast, the bayous, -rivers and lakes of 
Sjuthwest Louisiana. In the hurrj^ of embarkation, friends and relatives were 
separated, and never saw each other again until they found each other in their 
new home; and perhaps some were never united again on earth. 

" The story of 'Evangeline,' by Longfellow, was true as to its main fea- 
tures. Last summer we were shown the tree under which Evangeline is said 
to have rested while she was engaged in hunting for her lover. It stands upon 
Jhe banks of the beautiful Teche, and forms part of a picturesque grove of 
live-oaks. 

" The Acadians, who were brouglit to this country against their wills, were 
descendants of French people, who emigrated from France in the seventeenth 
century. Their education, opinions and principles where provincial rather 
than French, by reason of their long absence from the Mother country. Hence 
thev brought with them to Louisiana ideas and habits formed after the provin- 
cial pattern. Being so different in many respects from those inhabitants 
of Louisiana who came to this country direct from France, they did not 
mingle with tiiem to any considerable extent, but formed communities of their 
own, and lived a quiet, peaceful, and uneventful life. The name Acadians, by 
vvjiich they w'ere first known, was soon contracted or corrupted into the term 



104 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

' Cajan," by which tliey are frequently known. For some reason unknown 
to us many of these people object to tlie name Cajan. There is certainly 
no disgrace in being a descendant of the innocent people who were driven from 
their iiomes in Acadia and settled in this coutitry; and we can see no reason 
for being ashamed of the name, or of its contracted form, Cajan. The Aca- 
dians who are still in this region are a quiet, hospitable and accommodating 
people. They are entirely' distinct from the descendants of those who came to 
this country directly from France; but they haVe some of the Franch character- 
istics, among which are politeness, vivacity, hospitality, etc. Their educational 
opportunities being v^ery meagre, many of them are uneducated; but they show 
commendable zeal in availing themselves of the improved and increasing facili- 
ties for educational advantages. They also readily adopt the new methods and 
nev/ machinery introduced bj' the Nortliern immigration of the last few years, 
and are rapidly accumulating wealth and increasing in intelligence. 

The pioneer histor\' of Iberia parish is somewhat short, on account of the 
3'oulhfulness of the parish, which as a municipality dates back to iS6S only. 
Thus, much that pertains to the earh' settlement here is given in St. Martin. and 
St. Mary parishes. This was unavoidable. When the fii-st settlements were 
made in what is now Iberia, and for long j-ears afterward, it- was a part of St. 
Martin parisli. Another reason of its abridged pioneer history is its small 
dimensions. On the State maps it is not much larger than a man's thumb nail. 
Though small, it is ver}' ricli, on the principle, perhaps, that "fine goods are put 
up in small packages." All these together contribute to curtail the pioneer 
historj' of Iberia parisli. 

Orgcniization of Parish. — Iberia was established as a parish by an act of 
the Legislature, approved October 30, 1868. The act is as follows : 

Section i. Be it enacted b}' the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened. That from and after the 
passage of this act, there shall be a new parish formed from a portion of the 
south part of the parish of St. Martin and from a portion of the north part of St. 
Mary, to be called and known b}' the name of the parish of Iberia. 

Skc. 2. Be it further enacted. That the following shall be the boundaries 
of the parish of Iberia, viz: Beginning on the Gulf of Mexico at the entrance 
to the southwest or Vermilion Pass; thence along the middle of the main chan- 
nel of said pass to the entrance to Vermilion Bay ; thence in a direct line to 
the mouth of Petit Anse Baj'ou; thence in a direct line to the western 
shore of Lake Peigneui'; thence along the western shore of said lake, and along 
the line dividing the parishes of St. Martin, Vermilion and Lafayette, to a point 
intersected by a line running east and west two and a half miles north of the 
township line between townships 11 and 12 south, in range 5 east; thence due east 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 105 

to the township line between ranges 5 and 6 east; thence southeast to the upper 
Hne of lands now belonging to S. M. Darby (originally confirmed to J. Fontenot, 
commonly represented as number 59); thence northeastward along said upper 
line to Lake Tasse ; thence southeastward through the middle of said lake in a 
direct line to the upper line of lands now owned by Jno. F. Wyche, following 
said upper line to the depth of forty arpents: thence following the rerfr conces- 
sion of lands lying south of J. F. Wyche, and fronting Bayou Teche at a dis- 
tance of forty arpents from said bayou to the south line of Onezephore Dela- 
houssaye ; thence circumscribing the lands of said Onezephore Delahoussaye to 
Coulee Porlage, following said coulee to Baj'ou Portage ; thence along the middle 
of said bayou to Lake Fausse Point, and through the middle of said lake to a point 
intersected by tlie township line between townships 11 and 12 south; thence 
east along said line to the eastern limits of the parish of St. Martin on Grand 
River; thence southward!}' with said limits to the line between townships 12 and 
13 south; thence westwardly in a direct line to the northwest corner of the lands 
of Charles Grevenberg; thence southeastwardly across the Bayou Teche along 
the upper line of said lands of Charles Grevenberg, and in a direct line to the sea 
marsh ; thence through said sea marsh, midwa\' between the liighlands of Cypre- 
mortand Grand Cote to Vermilion Bay; thence through said bay to the southeast 
l^ass of Cote Blanche Buy, and thence along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to 
the point of beginning, including Petit Anse Island. 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That it shall be the duly of the Governor 
immediately after the passage of this act, to nominate, and by and with the ad- 
vice and consent of the Senate, to appoint for the said parish a judge, a sheriff, 
a recorder, and all other officers that may be necessary therefor, etc. 

There are several other sections, but they are not material to this sketch. 
The act is signed by Charles W. Lowell, Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives, Oscar J. Dunn, Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate, and H. 
C. Warmoth, Governor; attested by George E. Brown, Secretary of State. The 
requisite parish officers were appointed as required in the act, and the parish 
was formally organized, and started on its way in the full tide of successful ex- 
periments. 

The first court house after the parish was organized was a temporary build- 
ing used for the purpose, which was burned in 1870. Otiier temporary build- 
ings were used until a spirit of enterprise infected the good people of the town 
and parish, and they determined to have a court house that none would be 
ashamed of, and so thej'went to work while the fever was on lest if it cooled the 
project would drop. Mr. Dominique Ulger Broussard was the moving spirit, 
and but for his enterprise they probably would still be without a court house. 
The beautiful building that now graces the public square of New Iberia was 
built at a cost of $22,000, and finished in 1884. The people are justly proud of 



106 SOUTHWEST LOUISIAXA : 

it, as it is entire!}- the result of home production and enterprise. It is built of 
brick and is two stories high, besides the mansard roof. The internal arrange- 
ments of the building are as excellent as the exterior is comely to the eye. 

The parish offices 'are on the first floor, the court room, a very tasty and 
handsome one, is in the second story, while in the third story, under the; man- 
sard roof, is tlie armory, where the three local military companies keep their 
arms and equipments. In the northeast corner of the square is the jail, a sub- 
stantial two-story brick building. 

On the first floor of the court house in the center hall is a beautiful memo- 
rial tablet of polished marble placed in the wall, upon which is inscribed the 
following: " In memory of Dominique Ulger Broussard, born August 4, 1838, 
died Jatmary 28, 1885. Erected by Iberia parish in grateful recognition of his 
unselfish and distinguished public service."" 

Public Improzcmciits. — Iberia parish has few public improvements besides 
railroads and a few bridges, outside of the parish capital. The main line of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad traverses the parish through the eastern side, a little 
west of north. A histor}- of this great road is given elsewhere. A branch 
extends from New Iberia to the salt mines, and another bianch will be built 
during the coming j-ear from New Iberia to Abbeville, the capital of Vermilion 
parish. When it is finished it will make New Iberia quite a railroad center, and 
having excellent navigation by means of Ba\ou Teche, Iberia parish is well 
provided with means of travel and transportation. 

On the subject of the improvement of water vva^s, Dr. Dupericr said in an 
article written in 1887 and published in The Sugar Bowl: "Since the closing 
of the Bayou Plaquemine there has been an increased demand for cheap water 
transportation to carry the agricultural products of the Teche to our nearest home 
markets. The arbitrary closing of the Bayou Plaquemine, the natural river inlet 
and outlet to and from the Mississippi River, was allowed without protest or 
injunction from the only proper tribunal — the United States Courts. Those 
interested (the people at large) have supinely waited, are still waiting, and will 
continue to wait, until congressional legislation orders the opening, deepening 
and locking of Bayou Plaquemine. When will that be? What have the mer- 
chants of Galveston, Texas, done? Can't the New Orleans and the entire Teche 
trade do as much for themselves? Until such time as the Bayou Plaquemine is 
opened, deepened and made permanently navigable by congressional enact- 
ment, or by an order from the United States Court, obtained by a chartered com- 
pany, organized for works of public improvements, can not, I say, the merchants 
of New Orleans, the Teche planters and merchants by combined action, do. what 
the Galveston merchants have done to secure the growing and immense traffic of 
the Teche?" 



HISTORICAL AXD BlOGRArillCAL. 107 

In another article written for the same paper. Dr. Duperier says further of liis 
pet scheine of improved water transportation: "The first commercial impetus 
given to New Iberia was the introduction in the waters of the Teche, in 1840, 
by Capt. Gillet, a yankee sea captain, of the steam propeller, Tomachichi. The 
arrival of this vessel was an eventful day, and the result of tliis venture brought 
the following j-ear the John Morrisett, a steamer of much larger proportions, to 
take the place of the Tomachichi. The success of Capt. Gillet, aroused tlie 
ambition and induced Capt. Cheney Johnson, of Franklin, to build, in quick suc- 
cession, three side-wheel sea-going vessels of large carrj-ing capacity, and 
adapted to the trade — the Belle of Attakapas, the Agricole Fuselier, and the 
Mamie Burt. The business management which characterized the enterprise 
contributed largely to its succes'^. In addition to the cargoes brought by this 
line of steamers to New Iberia for distribution, it was the terminus of naviga- 
tion for such sailing craft as came from the gulf and Atlantic ports. New Ibe- 
ria was made the entrepot for the lumber trade of Pensacola and Mobile. 
Strange to say, at that time not a smgle saw-mill was to be found on the 
banks of the Teclie or lower Alchafalaya, the nearest and only saw-mill' in 
operation being that of Capt. Curry, on Baj'ou Portage, leading to Lake Fausse 
Pointe. The first saw-mill erected on the lower Atchafa!a3'a was owned by 
Joseph Gall. Schooners coming from the Atlantic ports would bring lime, 
cement, fire bricks, potatoes, onions, codfish, oak staves, etc. The return car- 
goes of these vessels to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Savan- 
nah and Mobile consisted in sugar, molasses, hides, horns, bones, all of which 
was consigned to merchants in those cities, or bought by agents representing 
firms doing business at the different seaports." 

It is a fact, patent to every business man, that water ways and water trans- 
portation are greatly beneficial to any agricultural community, but it does not 
follow, no difference how complete and extensive they are, that they relieve the 
necessity for railroads. The railroad has become a necessity, and a country 
without railroads, in this age of enterprise, is almost without civilization. The 
more a countr}' has of both water and railroad transportation, the better it is for 
that country and its people. The competiiion between them prevents monopoly 
and gives to the shipper much more favorable freight rates for his products or 
his goods. 

The Medical Profession. — One of the early physicians of what is now Iberia 
parish, was Dr. Solenge. a native of Province Dauphine, France. He was a 
man of generous impulses, humane and charitable; a man of letters and an 
accomplished and highly educated ph3^sician. He married a rich heiress, 
amiable but an invalid. Her name was Pellerin, and among other possessions 
she inherited a large number of slaves, many of whom were natives of Afric a 



108 SOL'VVflVEST L OV/SIAXA : 

and with devotion cliaracteristic of the African race when they set tlieir lieart, 
upon an3-thing, tliey adored their youn<f mistress. They conceived an idea that 
the doctor was treating his wife in a way to take her life, that he miglit gain her 
propert}', and they formed a conspiracy to kill him. One stormy night, as lie 
was returning home fi'om a professional visit in the neighborhood, he was fired 
on and killed. When the murder was discovered the slaves were drawn up in 
a line, and a near relative of Mrs. Solenge slowly passed along and, without 
asking a single question, would occasionabl}' tell one to step aside: when lie had 
scrutinized all he declared they were the murderers. There were seven of 
them ; five confessed to the crime, and were executedon the spot wliere they had 
committed the deed. The other two were finally pardoned. 

Dr. Raphael Smith was a young physician of great promise. lie located 
here, but afterward went toPlaquemine, where he died in 1839, of j-ellow fever. 

Another early physician was Dr. Hacker. After practising here a few 
years, he, also, removed to Plaquemine. He lost his life on the ill-fated steamer 
Gypsy, the burning of which, on the Mississippi River some years ago, is still 
remembered b}' many of the citizens of New Iberia. He and a daughter were 
victims of the disaster, and were burned to death on the fatal boat. 

Dr. Jerome Mudd came from Maryland. He was a graduate of George- 
town College, D. C, and an excellent phj'sician. After practising here some 
years, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died. 

Drs. Benoni Neal, Blanchet, and Mestayer were among the early physicians 
of New Iberia. Dr. Mestayer practised many years and died some half a dozen 
years ago. Dr. Blanchet was a native of this parish and died only a few years 
ago. Dr. Neal was from Baltimore, and is also dead. 

Dr. Alfred Duperier is the oldest physician in practice in the parish. He 
has practised constantly since 1847, except five or six j^ears, just after the close 
of the war. He was born and raised here. His father was the original propri- 
etor of the town of New Iberia, and owned the land upon which it was laid out. 
The doctor studied medicine, graduated, commenced practice here, and here is 
still following the path he chose nearly half a century ago. 

Within the memory of those still living, there have been two epidemics in 
New Iberia from yellow fever. One of these occurred in 1839, the other in 
1867. That of 1839, '^^^ the severest epidemic the town ever experienced ; 
nearly one half of the population died. There were scarcely enough left to bury 
the dead and care for those down with the dreadful disease. 

In connection with this reign of terror, there is one whose name should not 
be allowed to drop into oblivion, and a more appropriate place to record it can 
not be found than in this sketch of the yellow fever scourge. She was only an 
old colored woman known by the name of "Felicitv-." She did an angel's 
part, and no doubt she now wears a crown, bright with man)- jewels. She 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 109 

nursed the sick, administered to the dying, closed the eyes of the dead, and 
wept over their graves. From that year (1839) to '^'^*^ time of her death slie 
was never forgotten or allowed to want by the sufferers of that dreadful period. 
Her picture adorned the parlors of a number of her white friends, and annualh', 
on the 1st of January, many substantial tokens of the love and friendship they 
cherished for her found their wa}' to her humble cabin. The day of her death, in 
February, 1852, was one of general mourning in New Iberia. By common 
request her body lay in state in the home of her former owner. The funeral 
rites were of the most solemn and imposing character. Every business house 
in New Iberia was closed, and ever}' man, woman and child in the town followed 
her to the last resting place. 

In 1867 there was another epidemic of yellow fever throughout this section 
of the State. In New Iberia two hundred and eighty died ; in LafaN'ette one huii- 
died and bixt3--nine whites died, and other parishes suffered in proportion. Dr. 
Hilliard, a native of Virginia, living in New Iberia, died, also Dr. Mattingly from 
the District of Columbia. Dr. Duperier was the only physician that escaped. 
Physicians came out from New Orleans to assist him. 

Early Lazvycrs. — There were no resident lawyers in what is now the parish 
of Iberia until after its organization in 1868. Prior to that all litigants had to go 
to St. Martinsville and Franklin for justice, and to have their little differences 
adjusted. The first lawyer to locate in New Iberia was Judge Joseph Breaux. He 
came here upon the formation of the parish, indeed, before the organization was 
completed, and continued to practise in the courts here until he was appointed 
to the Supreme Bench. For 3'ears before the parish of Iberia was formed he 
had practised in Abbeville, Vermilion parish. 

Judge Robert Perry, at present judge of the circuit court, was the next 
lawyer to locate in the town. Judge Perry was born in Vermilion parish, edu- 
cated at Bardstown, Kentuck}^ and graduated from the law school at Louisville 
when that eminent jurist Judge Henry Pirtle was at its head. After his ad- 
mission to the bar he practised for a while at St. Martinsville, where he was a 
partner of Judge DeBlanc. Judges Perry and Breaux held the principal part of 
the practice here until they were appointed, one to the Circuit and the other to 
the Supreme Bench. 

Judge Frederick Gates is a regularly licensed lawyer and practised for a 
number of j'ears at St. Martinsville and at Franklin. He was the tirst District 
Judge of Iberia parish after it was organized, and made a good one, but the 
practice of law was too slow a business for the judge, and he threw away his law 
books, changed his office into an oil mill, and is now jogging along the high 
road to fortune. He is making money enough every year to pay the interest on 
the national debt, and expects soon to pay off the debt itself. 



110 SOr'nnVEST LOi'ISIAXA: 

A number of lawyers came to the parish, but did not remain long owing to 
a lack of business. There was little litigation in the early legal life of the parish, 
and the first two or three lawyers who settled here succeeded in holding most of 
that over all new comers. Among the names of the present bar may be found 
Foster, Broussard and Renoudt, Waller Burke, Judge Castillanos, Delaney, the 
Fontelieus, Weeks, Hasse, etc. As these have sketches in the biographical 
department, further mention is omitted here, 

Education.— The public schools of the parish are of a rather poor quality 
in the rural districts, but in New Iberia a very excellent school is mamtained. 
The people have not been wont to take the interest in common school education 
here that its importance demands, and that the people do in other sections of the 
country. There are too many who look on common schools as pauper schools. 
This is not the light in which to view the matter. The schools are common in 
the same sense in which we speak of the common law, the common weal, the 
commonwealth. Some of the best men this country has known received their 
education in the common schools, and but for them would have received very 
little anywhere. But thanks to the perfect system of free education prevailing 
in many of the States, a man may fit himself in the common schools for any 
station or position in life. 

The negroes here take much interest in public education. They supple- 
ment the bonus received from the treasury of the State by. special taxes levied to 
continue their schools longer than the public funds alone will carry them. The 
colored school of New Iberia is in charge of a Miss Mitchell, an intelligent and 
well educated colored woman who came from the New England States, where 
she had received the full benefit of the excellent system of common schools of 
that land of schools, academies and colleges, free to all. 

The town of New Iberia has an excellent public school, with the best of 
teachers, and a magnificent school building, complete in all its appointments. 
It is held up as a model school throughout the surrounding country, and it well 
deserves the credit and popularity it has attained. Mr. W. R. Burke, one of 
the most energetic and enthusiastic men on the subject of common schools in 
the town, was elected Secretary of the School Board and Parish Superintendent 
of Schools, in 1877, and since that time has devoted himself to improving and 
perfecting the school system. When Mr. Burke took charge of the superin- 
tendent's office, the schools were in a deplorable condition, but under his effi- 
cient management they have attained their present high standard, which is 
second to none among the parishes of Southwest Louisiana. 

The Parish Cafita/.—New Iberia is the capital of the parish, and the prin- 
cipal town on the Bayou Teche, is situated on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 
one hundred and twenty-five miles out from New Orleans, and at the head of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. HI 

steam navigation on the Teche. The streets are of good width and well laid off, 
and the town lias shown its good sense and enterprise and its rapid strides 
toward metropolitan grandeur by lighting itself on the way to the goal with 
electricity. Some of the finest residences are surrounded with rare and fragrant 
flowers and rose gardens, and beautiful shrubbery, and shaded with grand old 
trees, that look as if they might have been of goodly size when DeSoto discov- 
ered the Mississippi River. The town is rapidly shaking off its slothfulness 
after a Rip Van Winkle sleep, and has become imbued with the progressive pace 
of the period. And Ihe result of this new spinl of enterprise is many hand- 
some public buildings. Among these may be mentioned the court house, built 
at a cost of $22,000; opera house, $26,000: Catholic church, including rectory 
etc., $40,000; public hall, $Sooo; public school building, $4000, and many new 
and handsome modern residences. In manufacturing enterprises it is the' lead- 
ing town in the Teche country, and does business of this kind amountin-- to 
over $300,000 annually. '^ 

A distinguished writer luis this to say of New Iberia: 

•• New Iberia, the thriving mart of the region, which has drawn away the 
lite trom St. Martinsville, ten miles further up the bayou, is a village mainly of . 
small frame houses, with a smart court house, a livelv business street, a few.'pretty 
houses and some old-time mansions on the bank of the bayou, half smothe'red in 
old rose gardens, the ground in the rear sloping to the water under the shade of 
gigantic oaks. One of them, which, with the , outside staircases and pillared 
gallery, suggests Spanish taste on the outside and in the interior the arrangement 
of connecting rooms a French chateau, has a self-keeping rose garden where one 
might easily become sentimental; the vines disport themselves like holiday 
children, climbing the trees, and reveling in an abandon of color and perfume. 
The population is mixed— Americans, French, Italians, now and then a Spaniard 
and even a Mexican, occasionally a basket-making Attakapas, and thr- all-per- 
vading person of color. The darkey is a born fisherman, in places where fishin^ 
requires no exertion, and one may see him any hour seated on the banks of the 
Teche. especially the boy and the sun-bonneted woman, placidly holding their 
poles over the muddy streams, and can study, if he like, the black face In ex- 
pectation of a bite. There, too, are the washerwomen, with their tubs and a 
plank thrust into the water, and a handkerchief of bright colors for a turban. 
These people somehow never fail to be picturesque, whatever attitude they 
take, and they are not at all self-conscious."* 

New Iberia was laid out in 1835, and the original survev made under the 
the supervision of Mr. Frederick H. Duperier, the father of Dr. Alfred Duper- 
ler^one of the best known citizens of the town. The elder Duperier had been 

♦Charles Dudley Warner, in Haiper's Magazine. 



112 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

engaged in sugar farming at Isle Pivert, and acting under the suggestion of Mr. 
Agricole Fuselier and Dr. Solenge, two personal friends, he, for the first time 
conceived the project of building a town upon a lot of land he owned on the 
banks of the Teche, '' fronting three arpents on the bayou and .running back 
forty arpents." This plat comprised that portion of the town between Iberia 
and Corinne streets, and extending back from the banks of the Teche to the 
property owned by the late Thomas Johnson. The services of a surveyor by 
the name of Dow were obtained to lay off so much of the tract as would include 
ten arpents in dcptli by the whole frontage on the bayou, reserving undivided 
the plat comprised between Main street, then known as the public road, the 
Teche and the streets now known as Corinne and Iberia streets ; this constituting 
the old Pintard and, subsequently, Duperier homestead. Out of the lots sur- 
veyed, the square fronting St. Peter street between Iberia and Corinne appear 
on the plan for the purpose of a church. This was in accordance with the plans 
of the owner. In 1836 the ground reserved was formall}- donated to a 
board of rectors, regularly authorized to construct on the ground thus donated 
a Catholic church. 

This was the beginning of the pretty little town of New Iberia. It has not 
grown rapidly, but it has grown substantially, and to-daj' stands on a foundation 
that no financial storms can shake. It is not like many western towns that spring 
up in a night like a mushroom, then pass away as suddenly as they rose, leaving 
not a trace behind to tell where or when or how they sunk. Her merchants are wide- 
awake, live business men; her manufacturers energetic, pushing and go-ahead, 
while her professional men are ready at all times to join hands with them for^ 
what will best promote the interests of all. 

Manufacturing Industries. — The most extensive manufacturing enterprise 
in New Iberia is the oil mill and soap factory of Judge Fred. Gates, situated on 
the banks of the Teche in the lower end of the town. It was commenced in 
1878, but only a shed was put up, with the necessary machinery for making oil 
in a rather small way. Mr. Gates has continued to add to it, until it is now well ' 
nigh perfect; probably there is not another mill of the kind in this section so 
admirably arranged and so complete in all its details as this. It is valued at: 
$30,000, including machinery, boats, soap factory, etc., and exclusive of such 1 
things as bags, tools, barrels, etc. It is what is called a 12-ton mill; and it is j 
lighted with electricity, which is manufactured in the mill. The mill runs about j 
ten months of the year, employs regularly eighteen hands, aside from " roust-J 
about" labor for loading and unloading boats on the ba3rou, and consumes two! 
hundred and fifty tons of cotton seed per month. It makes annually sixteen! 
hundred barrels of oil — worth $11 per barrel: about nine hundred tons of meal] 
— worth $17 per ton, besides linters amount to considerable. In connection] 



HISTORICAL Ayn BIOGRAPHICAL. 113 

with the oil mill is a soap factory, where soap is made from cotton seed, which 
IS a valuable adjunct. 

As to the value of cotton seed oil, and the manv purposes for which it cm 
be used. Judge Gates writes to the Manufacturer's Record as follows • - In mv 
household refined cotton seed oil has nearly taken the place of lard For all 
frymg purposes the refined oil is preferable to the best home made lard, for the 
reason :t is clean, healthy and pure, and for the additional reason that it can not 
come from diseased sources, and is cheaper by far than the cheapest lard 
Two-thirds of a gallon of refined oil at thirty-five cents will do more work than 
one gallon of lard at seventy cents. The oil in which fish is fried is strained off 
and used to fry potatoes; strained again it is used to fry steak, beef or mutton 
and yet it leaves no trace or taste of the one in the other. It gives to evervthinc^ 
cooked m it a nutty flavor that no other grease will impart. The great secret of 
using this oil, a secret that managers of households have not vet discovered is 
to have It just as hot as fire can make it widiout burning befor^ putting anvthina 
in: to fry. I± it is necessary to replenish, take out of the pan whatever is 
cookmg, put m fresh oil and let it get hot. Never put anything to cook in .old 

Oil. 

•• I would like to tell you of a circumstance that took place at my mill It 
sounds very much like a fish story, yet on my word it is true. A phvsician 
friend of mine, hving in a town some forty miles from here, sent a youn<r man to 
me with a note requesting that I would give him employment where he could ^et 
as much oil as he wanted. He stated that he had done all he could for him with- 
out ava.l, and as a last resort, sent him to me, with instructions to live on cotton 
seed o,L The boy was, to my mind, pretty far gone with lung and throat dis- 
ease. He was feeble, had a severe cough, and expectorated freely. In fact he 
was consumptive, and I did not think he would live six months. I put him in 
the mill at some light work, and told him to eat all the oil he wanted In the 
course of a fevv weeks I noticed a great change in him. He had brightened up 
wonderfully and gained strength enough to do heavier work. He had increased 
in weight, so that he began to fill his clothes, which were, when he came to me 
hanging on h.m as on a pole. In a word, that boy worked with me the season 
tlH-ough, and was at that time, to all appearances, a well man. I saw him about 
a year later, strong and healthy." 

^ In a letter to the Chattanooga Tradesman last summer,Judge Gates cives the 
following statistics of the cost of production, profit, etc., of cotton seed oil ■ 

• -My experience of ten years' close attention to the business in its smallest 
details tells me that one and a half tons of good sound seed will make a barrel 
of crude oil, say fifty-six gallons-an average of about eighteen to twenty pounds 
bnlers and loSo pounds cake or meal. I figure the seed at $8 per ton. We 
say therefore : 



114 SO UTH W 'ES T LOl 'IS/ A NA : 

One and a half tons cotton seed $12 oo 

Labor 3 00 

One barrel i 40 

Refining 50 

Lights, oil and press cloth 50 

Centals for meal 50 

Freights, cooperage, brokerage, drayage, commissions, etc., to put the 

oil on the market and realize 2 25 

Total. . ^20 15 

YIELD. 

48 gallons refined oil $14 40 

25 pounds linters i 25 

1080 pounds cake or meal 10 80 

1200 pounds hull i 80 $28 25 

Leaving the manufacturer a profit of . . $ 8 10 

On one and a half tons of seed, which is $5.40 per ton. 

Then this $5.40 on one ton must cover the interest on capital invested, in- 
surance at si.x per cent., the loss and destruction of sacks, extra labor, losses re- 
sulting from damaged seed and loss of weight, tools, ties and bagging, wear and 
tear of machinery, yearly repairs, etc., always necessary, and many other 
small and inconsiderable items which cost something. These items of expense 
are not mentioned by Col. J. O. Waddill, in the Tradesman, November i, 1890J 
page 31, and yet no matter how much attention is given to the business they are 
unavoidable, and must figure in the expense account. Put a fair estimate or 
these, and the profit of $5.40 per ton is very materially reduced. 

"The above calculation is based on the supposition that the seed is sounc 
and the oil and cake will class as ' prime.' But make a little ' off ' oil and cake^ 
which no mill can avoid, and you have a still further reduction of the $5.40 
profit. Ours is a twelve-ton mill, and we require some 50,000 ' Dundees ' fot 
seed. These cost from nine to eleven cents — say an average of ten centsJ 
which would make $5000. Do the best we can, we yearly lose about fifteer 
per cent, of our bags, which amounts to $700. At the end of the season, we 
can not clean up and repair and renew for the next season's work for less thai 
$500, and if we take out and put in improved machinery, the expense is still 
greater. So that when we come to strike balances, we generally find our profia 
of $5.40 reduced to about $3, or less, giving us not more than six per centi 
on our investment." 

This extended notice is not given as an advertisement for the owner of thd 
mill, but as matter of interest to the general reader, as showing one of th« 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 115 

great sources of industry of this wonderful countr}-, that has grown out of mod- 
ern research and practical investigation. A few years ago cotton seed was de- 
stroyed or thrown away as valueless. Now, it has become a source of wealth 
and an industry second to few of the industries of the country. 

Other manufacturing industries of New Iberia consist of saw-mills and lum- 
ber yards, sash, door and blind factory, cistern factories, brick yards, an electric 
light plant, ice factory, etc. These all do a large business, and, as stated else- 
where in these pages, the manufacturing industries of the town do an annual 
business of over $300,000. Not only this — it is increasing every year. 

So wonderfully has New Iberia grown and spread out, that long ago it 
crossed the Teche and established quite an addition to its territory over there. 
An elegant and substantial iron bridge spans the dark watei's of the bayou and 
connects east and west Iberia, thus making them one town, under one municipal 
government. There are some beautiful places " beyond the river," including 
the old convent, shaded in trees and overhanging with vines, and almost enr 
veloped in shrubbery and flowers. 

Churches, Newspapers, Etc. — The Catholic church of New Iberia dates 
back to 1S36. In the original survey of the town, a lot was set apart for a 
church, and formally donated to a Board of Rectors, who were -luthorized to 
construct a church thereon. Therefore, in 1837, a brick church was erected, 
which served as a place of worship until a few years ago, when the present mag- 
nificent church was built at a cost of about $40,000, including inside furnishings, 
rectory, etc. It is a handsome structure. It was designed I13' Mr. Freret, 
supervising architect of the Treasury Department at Washington City, under 
President Cleveland's administration. A ver}' elegant rectory has been built in 
connection with the church. 

The only church building outside of the Catholic church is the Episcopal, 
a handsome modern brick edifice. The Methodists have a flourishing congrega- 
tion, but their church was lately burned. They design putting up a handsome 
church, however, duri__ng the present year. There are also two or three colored 
churches in the town. 

The advantages of New Iberia, and the parish bearing the latter half of the 
city's name, are kept pretty well before the world by their enterprising news- 
papers. This, of itself, is commendatory enterprise. To-day, a countr}' with- 
out newspapers is no country at all. Horace Greeley said: " A history which 
takes no account of what was said by the press in memorable emergencies 
befits an earlier age than this." 

The New Iberia Enterprise is the leading and official paper of the parish. 
It was estabhshed by Mr. J. B. Lawton, its present enterprising publisher and 
editor in 18S3. For two years the Enterprise made semi-weekly visits to its 



11(5 SOUTHWESl^ L OUISIANA : 

friends, but it then l)ecame so large and unwield}' tliat it took it a wliole week 
to make its round. It is now a twelve-page weekly, and is zealously devoted 
to the interests of the Attakapas parishes generally and Iberia parish particularly. 

The Enterprise has accomplished much, but it is young and vigorous, and 
its work is just begun — it has a great deal more to accomplish before it can sit 
down and fold its hands to rest. It and its editor, and a few kindred spirits, 
have made the town of New Iberia, while old fogies and fossils have stood off 
and, with a lugubrious shake of the head, have croaked. Mr. Lawton is a 
newspaper man. reared in a printing office, spent his whole life in one, and 
knows the true value of printers' ink. All you that have the interest of your 
town and parish at heart, stand by him in his good work, and as the constant 
dropping of the water will wear away the hardest rock, so will the sturdy blows 
of the Enterprise sooner or later tell. 

The Enterprise purchased the press and types of the Star, the first paper 
printed in New Iberia, and which was established just after the close of the late 
war by a young man named Simpson. Its career was checkered, and its life 
was fitful, capricious and uncertain. It became extinct, was revived again about 
1880, and published for a few years, but finally died a natural death. 

The Sugar Bowl was a paper originally established in Franklin as the 
Planters' Banner, by Daniel Dennett, who has recently died. In the sketch of 
St. Mary's parish, more- is said of Mr. Dennett and the Planters' Banner. 

The New Iberia Democrat is the latest journalistic effort of the town. The 
Democrat is a four-page weekly paper, neatly printed, and edited by Mr. H. 
Milliard, but is owned by a stock company. It was established early in 1890, 
to fight the Louisiana Lottery, and though it has an army contract on hand, it 
pours in its broadsides with great vigor, regardless of who stands in the way. 

The military history of Iberia parish, so far as the late war is concerned, is 
given in that of the parishes of St. Martin and St. Mary, as Iberia parish was 
not then organized, and it could not very well be separated from the history of 
■those parishes. One old gentleman informed the writer that the war history of 
the parish outside of the town was not very creditable to a majority of the 
people, who took to the woods and became jayhawkers. It would have been 
much better, he said, if some of them could have been forced into the army, 
where they could have been civilized. This is, however, applicable to only a 
few of a certain class. Many a good soldier went from what is now Iberia 
parish, as will be seen by the military history of the neighboring parishes. 

New Iberia has quite a formidable military force on the peace establish- 
ment — a company of infantry, a company of cavalry and a company of artillery. 
Their armory is in the upper story of the court house, where their arms, 
uniforms and equipments are kept in the most perfect order and with the great- 
tes neatness. 



Ills 'ronn . i /, . i xn biograi'ji/c. i /. . 117 

The First National Bank, of New Iberia is a sound banking institution, and 
has been of vast benefit to the financial interests of the town, but is not adequate 
to suppl}' the growing business demands. A new bank has been lately organ- 
ized and will begin business in a ver}' short time. Nothing more aptljMllustrates 
the growing importance and wealth of a town than extended banking facilities. 

Few little cities anywhere have been more unfortunate in fires, and yet none 
of them have been exceedingly disastrous. The frequency of fires led some 
years ago to the organization of a most excellent volunteer fire department. 
The town has three companies — two steam fire engine companies, and one hook 
and ladder company. There are not many towns of New Iberia's dimensions 
tliat have a better equipped fire department, and the people are justly proud 
of it. 

The Mechanics and Traders Exchange is a kind of Board of Trade. All 
the merchants, manufacturers and business men belong to it, and are regularlv 
organized, with president, secretary and board of directors. The}' have ex- 
cellent rooms in the second story of the new brick building on Main street. 
abo\'e the Alma House, where all the leading newspapers of the countr}' are kept 
on file. This is genuine enterprise. 

The Teche Club is a social organization which lias a large membership 
among the best people. Then there is a lodge of Freemasons, and a lodge of 
Knights of Honor and other social, charitable and benevolent organizations, 
not the least of which is the " Unsectarian Aid Societ\^ of New Iberia." The 
object of this society is to '' provide food and clothing for the deserving poor 
and destitute," of the Caucasian race, and "medicine and medical attendance, 
when sick." The society is confined to no particular religious denomination, 
but embraces in its membership every '-kindred, tribe and tongue." except the 
African. 

Jeannerette, the most important town in the parish, outside ot New 
Iberia, is situated near the parish line on the Southern Pacific Railroad, about 
ten miles below New Iberia. It is comparatively a new town, and owes its ex- 
istence, perhaps, in a great measure, to the building of the railroad. In 1870 
the site where it now stands, with its fifteen hundred inhabitants, was part of a 
large sugar plantation. The erection of a saw-mill, by Mr. Joseph S. Whit- 
worth and others, was partly the cause of building up Jeannerette. It gave a 
great impetus to the town, brought a number of families to the place, and caused 
several stores to be opened. Whitworth & Co. own a large saw and planing 
mill in Jeannerette, which has a capacity ot cutting some 30,000 feet of lumber 
daily. To this is added a shingle mill, which cuts about 20,000 shingles dailv. 

Milmo, ytokes & Co. also carr}- on a lumber and shingle mill in the town. 

The Vauffrey Refinery is a large establishment, and is an enterprise in- 
augurated by Mr. A. L. Monnot. He commenced it as a sugar house some ten or 



lis SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

twelve years ago, and in 1883 erected the Vauffiey Refinei'y, which he still coti- 
ducts, and which has a capacity of six Inindred tons every twenty-four hours, or 
150,000 pounds of sugar daily. 

Mr. W. F. Hudson may be termed the Father of Jeannerette. He was the 
first merchant in the place of any importance, and continued merchandizing 
there until he turned over his business to his son-in-law, Mr. A. L.Monnot. 
But in many of the enterprises established for the benefit of Jeannerette, Mr. 
Hudson took a prominent part, and was greatl\' instrumental in making tiie town 
what it is to-day. 

Tliere are several churches in Jeannerette, the strongest and principal of 
which is St. John the Evangelist's Catholic church. It was organized in 1879, 
and a small chapel was used temporarily, until finally blown down. In i88t 
the present church vvas built under the charge of Father John Flankinger, now 
rector of the church of St. Peter and St. Paul in New Orleans. The church 
was finished in 1886 by Rev. Father M. Bardy, the present rector. When this 
church was organized, it had about eight hundred communicants ; it has in- 
creased until it now has about sixteen hundred. A temporary parochial school 
is attached for white children, in charge of the Sisters of Mercy, but during the 
present year a convent and large school building will be erected. 

There are also Baptist and Methodist churches in the town, and perhaps a 
Presbyterian and Episcopalian. These have Sunday schools, and the usual 
auxiliary societies common to those denominations. 

A newspaper was established in Jeannerette some four years ago, called The 
Hornet. It had a rather precarious existence, alternating for some four years 
between life and death — standing, as it were, with one foot upon the shores of 
dull mortality, and the other of the great Unknown, until in the early part of 
December, 1890, it passed away among the things that were. The last issue of 
the paper contained a valedictory, couched in rather sarcastic terms, by its 
editor, Mr. Percy W. Roane, in which The Hornet executed its last sting upon 
an unappreciative public. It then died. Requiescat in face. 

There are several other small places in the parish, but they amount to 
little outside of shipping stations, a store or two, a post-office, blacksmith shop, 
etc. Among them are Olivier, Burkeville, Cade, Patonville, Belle Place, 
Derouen, Loreauville, etc. Belle Place and Loreauville are situated on the 
Teche, around the big bend above New Iberia. Olivier is on the railroad, about 
five miles below New Iberia. Cade is in the very north part of the parish, and 
IS the junction of the St. Martinsville branch of the Southern Pacific with the 
main line. Burkeville is on the railroad, a short distance below Cade. Paton- 
ville is in the southern part of the parish, near the line of St. Mary. , Derouen 
is about five miles west of New Iberia. — Perrin. 



CHAPTER V. , 

Calcasieu Parish — Introductory — Topography and Description — Settle- 
ment — Reese Perkins — His . Magisterial Services — An Incident — 
The Pioneers — Organization of the Parish — The Seat of Justice — 
Di:\elopment of Resources — Fruit Culture — Figs — Rice Growing 
— Lumber Interests — Evening on the Calcasieu — Railroads — The 
Watkins Road — Churches and Schools — Lake Charles College — 
Lawyers and Doctors — Lake Charles Settled — Incorporated — A 
Go-ahead Town — A Rice Mill — Saw Mills and Lumber — The Press 
— Country Towns — The Sulphur Mine — Many Things of Many 
Kinds- 

"The axe rang sharply 'mid those forest trees 
Which from creation toward the sky 
Had towered in unshorn beauty." — Mrs. Sigourney. 

cx^y is difficult to realize as we walk the streets of our beautiful towns, and 
^j note the squares of built up houses and mansions, the factories, the busy 
S' mills and the ceaseless hum of industry where the bulk of a busy population 
" gains its bread by the sweat of its brow," that less than a century ago 
these blooming prairies, grand old forests and enchanting water courses and 
lakes were the possessions of wandermg savages and formed a part of one vast 
wilderness, which gave no sign of promise of the multitudes of a strange race 
by which it is now peopled, or the mighty developments in science and art which 
should make their lives so different from that of their rude predecessors. 

Here the bold immigrant pitched his lent and staked all beside the deep- 
rolHng Calcasieu or near some lake of sparkling water, and beneath those tall 
foVest pines, where erst the untamed children of nature had so long roamed 
unmolested, at one time in search of food, and again engaged in the wild pleas- 
ures which seemed the only occupation of their existence. The sound of the 
woodman's axe sang out amid this mighty solitude, frightening the denizens of 
the forests from their peaceful slumbers, and starting reverberations whose last 
reecho has changed into the screech of the iron horse, and into the hum of 
varied industries which now occupy the busy men and women who have been 
born and reared under a civilization which had its first beginnings in the rude 
log cabins of those sturdy pioneers. • 

A pleasanter task could scarcely be found than that which devolves upon 
the chronicler of our early history. Could he but reproduce the scenes of less 
than a century ago, with all their natural surroundings, that the reader in imag- 
ination might see the unhewn log hut, its crevices tilled with mud; the adobe 



120 • SOUT/IW'ESl' LOriSIAXA: 

cliimney, the broad fireplace, and rougli, unseeml}- lurniture: that he might see 
tlie small clearing; could the historian, we repeat, picture all these scenes in 
their wild but natural beaut)-, he would bring before many a reader similar 
senes, whose impress ha\e been left in the mind by oft-repeated stories of these 
olden times long past. 

Topography and Dcscriplioii. — But wit must reluctantly recall the reader 
from these general recollections to the more prosy subject of our work. 
Calcasieu is the westernmost parish of those embraced in this volume, extending 
to the Sabine River, which separates it from the State of Texas. The following 
on the topographical and geographical features of Calcasieu is from the Lake 
Charles Echo of September 14. 1888: 

The geographical situation of Calcasieu parish brings to it more advantages 
of a varied character than any other parish in the vState. Its climate is even 
and salubrious, being toned b}- gulf breezes during the four seasons, thus obviat- 
ing the extremes of heat and cold felt b}' the other sections of our countr}'. 

Calcasieu parish is bounded on the north b}- Vernon parish, north and east 
"by Rapides and St. Landry parishes, Bayou Nez Pique and the Mermentau 
River; on the south by Cameron parish, and on the west by the Sabine River, 
embracing a total area of nearly 2,000,000 acres; hence is larger than either the 
State ot Rhode Island or Delaware, and larger than the Kingdom of Belgium. 
Its principal streams are the Calcasieu and Houston Rivers; Beckworth, Hickory, 
Whiskey-chitto, Bundick's, Ten Mile, Six Mile, Barnes, Sugar, and Dry 
Creeks, and Serpent, Schoupique, Dinde, Lacasine, and English Bayous. All 
of which, except the Lacasine, flow into the Calcasieu River, and furnish about 
two hundred miles of navigable water. Small streams are too numerous to 
mention. The Calcasieu River furnishes an outlet to the Gulf of Mexico at a 
distance of fifty miles from Lake Charles, the parish site. The promised increase 
in the South American trade makes this an item of no small consideration. 

The soil of Calcasieu parish, while not so fertile as that of some of our 
eastern parishes, still the greater part of it, with proper drainage and cultivation, 
is made to produce all kinds of field crops in paying quantities. The soil is rich 
in vegetable mould, and the application of stimulating fertilizers is attended 
with the best results. The population of the parish aggregates about 30,000, and 
is rapidl}' increasing. The influx is principallj' from the Northern and Western 
States, and is generallv of that class of individuals that add wealth to any 
country. 

The principal industry up to the present time has been that of lumbering. 
The immense pinery, which covers about sixty per cent, of our territory, is an 
almost inexhaustible source of the very best quality of yellow pine timber. The 
next most important industry is that of stock raising, which is developing rapidly 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPNICAL. !21 

and promises in a few years to rival our timber interest. Improved stock is 
being introduced, as well as improved methods of handling it, and no doubt in 
a very few years we will compete with Kentuck}' in this direction. Rice, corn, 
cotton, peas, potatoes and cane are the principal field crops, while garden vege- 
tables of all kinds are raised in abundance. Our agricultural interests are being 
rapidly developed. Fruit raising until recentl}^ was not coiisidered profitable 
except in the northern part of the parish, but recent developments prove that it is 
rather owing to a want of knowledge than to the management of fruit trees as to 
any fault of soil or climate. Those experienced in horticulture find no trouble 
in making it a success. 

The following is from the correspondence of The American Wool, Cotton 
and Financial Reportf^r, Boston, Massachusetts, and is further descriptive of 
topograph}' and general features: 

Lake Charles, Louisiana, October 30, 1890. — We are at present in the 
growing little city of Lake Charles, in Southwestern Louisiana. Haying heard 
and read so much of this section of country, termed the " Italy of America," we 
came to the conclusion that in our trip through the "New South" we would ex- 
amine this section personally and ascertain what the attraction is, for people 
from ever}' direction are moving in and filling up the country. As evidence of 
the fact, one parish alone, Calcasieu, has added over 8000 to its population since' 
the last census, and most of this has been added during the last five years. 
There has been no boom such as the Oklahoma rush, and the old citizens, and 
in fact a large portion of those who have recently come, know nothing of the 
value of land. Men often part with their land at from $2 to $5 per acre, when 
the probabilities are that it may increase in value tenfold in a very few years. 
Tell these p"eople the chances are largely in favor of these lands bringing $50 
per acre in a few years, and they look at you with astonishment, and yet what 
are lands worth that will yield from $40 to $60 per acre in rice, or more in 
sugar cane? 

Where is this country? On the map, followed westward from New Orleans 
a distance of about one hundred and twent}' miles on the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road. This one hundred and twenty miles consists of alluvial land, or that por- 
tion of Louisiana subject to overflow from the Mississippi River. West of this 
alluvial portion is "terra firma," land that is not subject to overflow under any 
circumstances; and this land, to the Texas line, a distance of about one hundred 
and thirty miles by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and extending from the Gulf 
of Mexico about seventy-five miles north, is called Southwestern Louisiana. 

"It would require a whole book, instead of an article or two, to do justice to 
this wonderland. It contains some beautiful rivers and lakes whose waters come 
from springs, and are as clear as crystal. What a marvellous contrast between 
tlie waters of these rivers and those called bayous in the overflowed region, the 



122 SO UTHWEST L O UJSIANA : 

latter being sluggish and having a dingy appearance. One from the east can 
scarcely realize after seeing it that there is such a country in the State of Louis- 
iana. First impressions are lasting, and the first impression of the average 
eastern man, before coming here, is that Louisiana is one vast hot-bed of 
malaria. One may come and see for himself that it is untrue, as regards this 
part of the State, for there is not a more beautiful sight to behold than this vast 
table prairie land, and any one with common judgment, without making any 
inquiry, would at once pronounce it a land of health as well as of beauty: and 
statistics prove the correctness of such an opinion. 

In order to gain all the information we could, we talked with a number of 
the oldest citizens and mingled with the new comers. Being a newspaper man, 
of course, welookedafter that profession. We found a newspaper pubHshed here 
far above' the average; in fact, few papers north or south equal it, all things con- 
sidered. It is the Lake Charles American, a sixteen-page weekly. We made 
ourselves quite at home in this office, and while we wish to write more partic- 
ularly of other things, because of the good treatment we received, we must 
make mention of it. We asked the editor among other things about the climate. 

" The climate" said he, "is delightful. The temperature ranges from forty 
to seventy degrees in winter and from eighty to ninety-six in summer, seldom 
reaching the latter point. All north to the Missouri and a number of miles west- 
ward is" timber land, and much of this is the finest timber land in the world. 
'•This'" said he, "is our protection from the winter winds; then south to the 
gulf is prairie, and thus we get the unobstructed gulf breeze. On one side is the 
forest, as a check against the cold that would come upon us from the north, and 
on the other side is the gulf breeze tempering the heat of summer. All this 
combined produces this wonderful cHmate, which has been called by some the 

Italy of America." , •,• -i, . j 

The rainfall is fifty inches per annum, and is about evenly distributed 
throughout the year, the rain seldom interfering with farm work more than a day 
or two at a time. The land is level, having natural drains that leads to the main 
rivers or direct into the gulf . The soil varies, in some places a deep, rich, 
black clay loam ; in others a brownish, and in others a sandy loam, the latter more 
particularly adapted to fruit. 

From observation and all the information we can gather, we suppose almost 
any farm or vegetable crop can be raised in this section that can be raised in the 
United States. Besides many things flourish here that can not be successtully 
cultivated elsewhere. The sweet potato produces from one hundred to two 
hundred barrels per acre. Sugar cane grows to perfection, and $ioo per acre 
can easily be made on this crop. Rice culture is an industry that has come 
wonderfully to the front in the last two years. By the use of machinery in har- 
vesting, it is now possible for large fortunes to be made raising rice. Cotton 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 123 

grows well here, and tobacco, the latter producing two crops a year, and is said 
by tobacconists to be a very superior article. 

This is the home of the fig, and it is said never fails to bear a crop. 
Oranges do well, and the golden fruit on the trees now in Lake Charles is a 
beautiful sight. Pears of several varieties, and especially the Leconte and 
Keiffer, and many varieties of peaches, plums and other fruits grow here and 
come to great perfection. 

The Settlement of Calcasieu. — This parish, like most of the others in 
Southwest Louisiana, has quite a mixed population, consisting of Creole^., 
Acadians, Americans, from half a dozen or a dozen different States, a few 
Indians, etc. The Lake Charles Echo of October 24, 1890, says of the peo- 
pling of Calcasieu: " In the early da3's of America, when the Spaniards were 
settling Louisiana and Mexico, while Texas was a wild prairie region, the land 
unknown on the outskirts or confines of two great colonies, one having its seat 
in the famed palaces of the Montezumas, and the other having its center in the 
valley of the wooded banked father of waters, the great continent-draining Mis- 
sissippi, the present region of Calcasieu was the home of a few tribes of 
Indians and the wild deer. When Texas loomed up into a great countr}-, and 
as the Lone Star Slate severed her connection with Mexico, our section remained 
the outskirt between Louisiana and Texas. Calcasieu River was then known as 
the Rio Honda. The lands lying between it and the Sabine River was a disputed 
territor}' claimed by the two great colonies. And while a few adventurous pioneers 
came into the section east of the river under what are known as Spanish grants 
from the Louisiana colonial authorities, a few others, perhaps two hundred 
and fifty, settled in the western region under what were termed Rio Honda 
claims. 

" Among the Indians in the western region afterward conceded to the United 
States as a part of Louisiana, from an unknown origin, sprung a race of people 
of mixed ancestry, known as Red Bones. These and a few others for man}^ years 
constituted the entire population of Calcasieu, attached to St. Landr}-, from 
which it was separated about the 3'ear 1840, and designated the parish of Calca- 
sieu. Later a part was taken from this territory in forming the parish of Ver- 
non ; and again, a part was taken in creating the parish of Cameron: which two 
parishes are now united with Calcasieu in the judicial district. The Rio Honda 
lost its Indian name and acquired that of Quelque Shoue, from which again, 
b)' those strange changes which time effects without the reason being retained, 
it passed into the euphonious name of Calcasieu, whence may be attributed 
the pronunciation, ' Culcashu,' yet given it by man}- old inhabitants." 

Among the earliest settlers of Calcasieu parish were the LeBlues, Charles 
Sallier, Reese Perkins, Jacob Ryan, on the east side of the Calcasieu river. 



124 SO UTH WES T LO UlSIA NA : 

West of the river were, among others, Joseph Cornow, Hiram Ours, Dempsey 
lie, Hardy Coward and John, his brother, William and Archibald Smith, Elias 
Blunt, David Choate, Philip Deviers, Joshua Johnson, John Gilchrist, George 
Ower, Isaac Foster, Joseph Clark, Mitchell Neal. John Henderson and a man 
named Self ; perhaps others. 

These all came here prior to 1824, for the purpose of getting the benefit of 
the Rio Honda claims. Reese Perkins was one of the most prominent of these 
early settlers. He was the first justice of the peace, and his courts were admin- 
istered with more backwoods justice than with fine legal points. He once sent a 
man to the penitentiary for five years for harboring a runaway negro belonging to 
John Henderson. Elias Blunt was the culprit's name, and the negro had a wife 
at Blunt's house. One morning the negro was seen very early leaving Blunt's, 
and upon this meager-evidence Blunt was arrested and tried before Perkins, and 
for this heinous offence received a sentence of five years in the penitentiar\-. 
Blunt attempted to plead with the 'squire for a mitigation of the punishment, as 
he was a poor man and had a large family, etc., when Perkins thundered out — 
"Shut your mouth, or Fll make it ten years." 

Perkins started his son with Blunt to the penitentiar}- and gave him a note to 
Mr. Bell at Opelousas, to assist the boy in landing the prisoner at the peniten- 
tiary. He met Bell on the outskirts of the town, and handed him his father's 
letter. When Bell read it he inquii-ed of the young man where the prisoner was. 
" Here he is," said the j'oung man, pointing to Blunt. "Young man," said 
Bell, stepping aside with him and speaking low that Blunt might not hear him, 
" you had better take that man back and turn him loose. Your father had no 
right to sentence him to the penitentiary, and if some of the Opelousas lawyers 
get hold of the stor}' they will give you trouble. So, the best thing you can do 
is to get back home as quick as possible and release your prisoner." The boy 
took him at his word and went back. The prisoner was released and the matter 
was hushed up. A son of Squire Perkins, also Reese Perkins, now seventy 
years'old. lives about twenty miles from Lake Charles. Allen Perkins, of West- 
lake, is a grandson of the old pioneer. 

Hardy Coward was also very prominent among the pioneers. He was the 
next justice of the peace after Perkins, and did a great deal of business in that 
particular line. He married nearl)' everybodj' in the settlement in those days, 
for ministers were scarce then. Squire Coward married them without money 
and without price, gave them his blessing and sent them away happy as clams. 
He was a kind, good man, and well thought of by everybody. 

Jacob Ryan was originally from Georgia, but had settled some time before 
in the present parish of Vermilion. He came here in 1S17, where he died some 
years later. He has a son, facob Ryan, now an old man, living ni Lake 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 125 

Charles, who is a perfect walking encyclopedia -on matters pertaining to the 
early settlement of this country. Henry Moss and Pierre Vincent were son-in-laws 
of Mr. Rvan, Sr.. came with him and settled in liie same neighboriiood. Both 
are dead. 

Ch.vrles Sai.lier came from Ital}' and settled near the mouth of the Cal- 
casieu River. The town of Lake Charles was named for him. The LeBlues, 
there were three brothers of them, Arcen, Martin and Macey, and they settled 
about seven miles east of the present town of Lake Charles, on English Bayou. 
The three brothers who came here first are all dead, but they still have numer- 
ous descendants. These settlers were scattered all along the river for a con- 
siderable distance. Immediately subsequent to 1824, came John Br\'an, Richard 
West, William Prailiier, Abel Lyons, Thomas Bilbo, William Neeler. Nevel 
Barnet, etc. They formed a settlement to themselves. The old ones are all 
dead, but most of them have descendants living. Capt. Br3an, long editor of 
tiie '• Echo," is a son of John Bryan, mentioned above. 

Thcaias Bilbo died only a few j'ears ago. He was a surveyor, and sur- 
veyed a great deal of the land in this section. His wife is still living, and the 
house in which they lived is still standing. It has been repaired and modernized 
and is still quite a respectable house notwithstanding its great age. 

T.lie Pioneers. — Under this head. The American thus moralizes on the 
settlement of the country: "Let us call back a few years, and notice the set- 
tling up of our country from the East westward to the Pacific, a distance of 
three thousand miles. Comparatively speaking, only a few years ago a few 
hardv pioneers gathered in Western New York and in Pennsylvania and, bidding 
their neighbors good-b}', set out with their springless, rough wagons, tor the 
great beyond — Iowa and Michigan. The distance was truly great, the trail they 
traveled rough, and the good-by forever, so far as this world was concerned. 
The great city of Chicago was not in their wa}' with her million of inhabitants. 
They may have passed over the public dornain where this great city now rests 
without driving down a stake, hunting for a more desirable spot. They dotted 
down here and there in the great prairie region before reaching the Missouri 
and in the Michigan timber, but the great American Desert reaching out 
beyond, where Kansas and Nebraska now stand as States, was regarded as 
risky for settlement, a great waste of country, fit only for wild tribes of Indians 
and the buffalo. 



'■ Look at it later on. Witliin the age of a man we see this trackless region 
settled up, great cities built, and the east and west brought together almost as 
neighbors by the buildinij of ureat railroad lines. We have but to reflect a 



126 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

moment to see how rapidly this has been done. Onl}' thirty-five years ago 
Davenport and Iowa City was tied together by rail, and, if we are correctly 
informed, this was the first iron track laid west of the great Mississippi River. 
During this time, in the South the movement was from' South Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, westward, but the progress was not so rapid for two reasons. First, the 
system of slave labor operated against it : second, the foreign immigration con- 
stantly pouring into the country through New York Cit}' read the words on every 
hand, ' Go West,' and they went. Now, everything isturned,and the ' Go 
West,' which rang into the ears of the immigrant for so many years, has been 
changed to ' Go South.' The eyes of the world to-day are on the Soutli. 
Figures which we have given from time to time and have been published in all 
the leading journals of the land testify that the capitalists have found out the true 
value of the South and have already invested largely in lands and various enter- 
prises. Immigration has turned southward, and the north and south railroad 
lines are hurrying through for their accommodation. The work of settling up 
the South has rapidly started. The people north and south have been thrown 
together in business. The social relation developed, marrying and intermar- 
r3nng, and these ties making them more than ever one people." 

Judge G. A. Fournet thus congratulated the parish and the town of Lake 
Charles, upon their rapid strides toward prosperity, in a speech made on the 
28th of October, 1S90, at the la3'ing of the corner stone of the new court-house 
in Lake Charles: "There can be no fitter occasion than the present to recall the. 
changes that have brought about the ne.cessitj' of erecting the new court houseJ 
the corner stone of which is now being laid. Without having recourse to sta^ 
tistics, I will simply state that within the life and recollection of the youngest among 
you, the population of the parish of Calcasieu was the smallest in the State oj 
Louisiana. Although the largest in territorj-, it was the last opened to settlement! 
Its immense prairies, traveled b}' no roadway, save here and there the tracks 
the huntsman and the stock-gatherer, had not yet been startled by the shriek 
the locomotive or the roar of the railroad train. The tasseled corn, the rippling 
wave of the sugar cane and the loaded crests of the mellow rice field were ur 
known from the Mermentau to the Sabine swamp. Our wealth and timbef 
the finest and the best in the world; pine unequaled in usefulness and cypres! 
unrivaled in durabilit}', inviting the wants of mankind and courting the industrj 
of man, covered our virgin forests with giants of their kind, from the 30th par-j 
allel to the limits of Rapides and Vernon. Age, winds and storms alone tumblec 
their giant frames, while the steel destined to fell them laid as yet entombed it 
the bowels of the earth, undiscovered and unforged." 

We had then neither cities nor incorporated towns.' This very city, of whicb 
you are all so proud, I am sure, which now rests so gracefully basking in thij 
glory of our own Southern sun, like a thing of " beauty and of life," on thi 



''"■'**!?^S?i^i. 



■*#^ jfe'^' 



■P- 



>¥ 





I 
I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



129 



ed.c;e of this, the loveliest and most picturesque hike that ever c^reeted the eve 
ot man, was nothing but a mere hamlet. 

Jennings, Esterly, Welsh, Iowa City, Westlake, twin sister of Lake Charles 
Sulphur C:ty, Edgerly, Vinton, Jacksonville, Crown Point and Lakeside all 
growmg and promising towns, were not even on the maps, and had not yet dr'awn 
he breath o activity and life. In a few short years the magic hand of progress 
has accomplished the wonderful transfiguration in the aspects of nature and 
works of mdustry and art we contemplate to-day. We have now before us and 
around us a busthng and prosperous young city, teeming with a busy population 
of over tour thousand inhabitants of all classes and of all trades and professions 
Thnvmg towns, with the bright and comfortable residences and business houses! 
hll places where only two or three years since there was nothing but the wilder- 
ness of uncurbed nature, unbroken and untrained to meet the wants and bend 
itselt to the commands of civilized society. 

Numberless farms now dot the landscape where there was no object within 
the scope of vision in the measureless waste, except the flowering immensitv of 
the praine meeting with the boundless azure of the sky in the distant horizon. 
Hither have come the sturdy yeomen from the South, fleeing from overflows and 
^e competition of an inferior race, and hither have come the farmers from the 
Northwest driven from their inhospitable plains by the scorching drought of sum- 
mer and the snow-mantled blizzard of winter, to seek refugeln the solitude of 
our prairies ; and they have made our empty places smile with pleasant homes and 
pregnant nelds. 

Orgamzation of Parish. -\^\^^\^ settlements were not made so eariy in the 
pans^ of Calcasieu as in some other portions of Southwest Louisiana, we have 
seen that white People came here about 1815 and formed settlements along the 
Calcasieu River. We have followed that little settlement until we find it spread 
out over a large section of country, and the people began to think of bein<. 
organized into a parish to themselves. .They had been for years going to Opet 
lousas to attend court and vote, if they voted at all, and they determined on 

t':tiirr:et:""^- ^'^^ --'''' - ^- -^-^^ -• ^ -- ^--^ -^er 

An act to create a new parish, to be called the parish of Calcasieu 

the stt^rr '■ • ^^ " ^"T^ ^^ ''" ^^"'^^ ^"^ "°"^^ °f Representatives of 
Passt'eof h ;" n' ? ""' Assembly convened, That from and after the 

fovv nfh ." ' ' "' '"'■"'"'■^ ^" '^^ P^"^^ °^ St. Landry, within thefol- 

ouing boundaries, to-wit: Commencing at the mouth of the River Mermentau 
hence up said rwer to the mouth of the Bayou Nez Pique, thence up said bavou 
to the mouth of Cedar Creek, thence due north to the dividing line between'the 



^30 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

parishes of St. Landry and Kapides, thence along said line to the Sabine River 
thente down the said river to the mouth, thence along the sea coast to the place 
of beginning, shall form and constitute a new parish, to be called the pansh of 



Calcasieu 



Calcasieu. . , ,111 

The act contains eighteen other sections, all of whicli it takes to egalU 
consltie the parish an! provide for its legal machinery, and place it on foot as 
iZZnZl municipalUv. The act, when it finally reaches the end, is s,gnea 
bvWilL Debuvs, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Fehx Gaicia, 
Seulenr Governo'r, Tnd President of the Senate, and A. B. Roman Gover on 
It is approved March 24, 1840. The necessary steps were taken at once and 
the new parish set to work. 

The Seat of Justice. -^\^^ first seat of justice or court house was some six 
n.ilesf.-oniLak-e Charles on an air line, but about twenty-f^ve by way of the 
CakaieTRiver. It was called Marion, but was a small place and had been 
used a; a stopping o. resting place for drovers passing wUh ^1-^^-^ ^j ^^"^^ 
from Texas to the New Orleans market. It is now known as Old Town, and 
bTfoT th name no one would suspect its being a town at all, or of ever having 
be nth parish seat. After a few years (about X85X-52) the Pa-h -at - 
moved to Lake Charles, and the glory of Marion departed as " a tale that is 
told The finger of time has written " Ichabod " above her gates and like 
Ancient Rome "the spider weaves its web in her palaces, the owl sings his 
ltd Ing in her towers." The court house and Pil were moved from Ma 
to Lake Qiarles in 1852 by Jacob Ryan and Samuel A. Ku-by ^ ^^72 a new 
court house was built by Mr. Ryan, a two-story frame, which ,s stil doing dutj 
Tacurt house, but a new onef a handsome brick, to cost $20,000 is in process 
of construction and will be finished during the year, ^he P-ent b -^ Pd 
standing in the corner of the pubhc square next the lake was built m 187. 

'"' At fhe faying of the corner-stone of the new court house in October, 1890 
Hon GeorceH Wells, in an address delivered on that occasion, said. Our 
"res;nt poUce jury was the first to take any practical action toward furnishing 
our pa ish with thfs new court house, the first to advertise tor plans and sp cifi- 
Ii::: for the bunding, the first to advertise forbids and -ntract or its consU-uc 
tion,and the first to appropriate *« ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^Ht^ilnd it nec'ess^^r3 t^^ 
evidence of Calcasieu parish, that our pohce jury f f "°' ^^^'//^^.'^^^^^^^ey 
lew 1 special tax for the construction of the new court house, and that the monej 
eouired'lor hat purpose will come from the general and ordmary --enues of 
theTa is Indeed the parish tax of the present year ( 1890) levied on the p. p- 
er y of non-residents, though equal and uniform with parish tax e-ed « h 
.ame kind of property owned by residents of the par.sh, is consideiabh moie 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 131 

than enough to defray the expenses of the construction of our new court 
house." 

The following figures show pretty clearly the growth of the parish since 
1S40, the time of its organization: The first record book opened in the parish 
was in 1840, a very small book, and which contained all the transactions of the 
parish up to 1862. Four deeds of land from 1840 to 1863. Book B commenced 
1862 and closed in 1868. Book C closes in 1873. Book E closes in 1876. 
Book F closed in 1880. The books all the time getting larger, containing more 
pages and deeds. G closed in 1882, with over 600 deeds. H closed in 1S83, 
running 508 days, with a record of 492 deeds. I closed in April, 1855, with 651 
deeds in 503 days. J runs until December, n;885, with a record of 428 deeds 
in 226 days. K numbers 523 in 189 days and closes. L closes in January, 
1SS7, 431 deeds in 206 days. M records 462 in 197 days. N goes 462 in 171 
days and closes. O ends May, 1888, making a record of 521 deeds in 107 
days. P ends October, 3, 1888, 123 days and 556 deeds. Q ends March 21, 
18S9, with a record of 531 deeds in 167 days. R goes 550 deeds in 166 days, 
ending September 3, 1889. S ended January 16. 1890, making a record of 
589 deeds in 134 days. This is genuine, solid growth. 

Development and Resources. — The resources of Calcasieu parish probably 
interest more people than anything else that could be written in this book. It is 
but proper that it should be so. Naturally every man likes to see that country 
he calls his own flourish above all other countries. With proper energy and 
enterprise exercised by the people of Calcasieu, there is nothing with the vast 
capabilities of the parish to prevent it from becoming the very garden spot of 
Louisiana. 

The American, of Lake Charles, has spent much time in investigating -the 
resources of Calcasieu, and has carefully compiled some statistics as the result 
of its investigations, which may be here given as matter of interest to the gen- 
eral reader. There is no guess work about it, but they are compiled from prac- 
tical observation and personal investigation: 

Time and the turn of things have established beyond a doubt that this is 
one of the finest sections of country in the South for farming, stock raising and 
fruit growing. There are few places where as large herds can be wintered with 
as little expense as in this section. Cattle may be raised here and carried 
through the short winters without feeding on hay or grain, although it is better 
to provide a small amount of hay to be used during the latter part of the winter. 
There never was, perhaps, a more promising outlook for any country. Sugar 
cane, rice, corn, oats, grasses, fruits and vegetables of almost endless variety 
may be produced here in quantity. In whatever locality the settler has broken 
the soil, planted seeds and cultivated them, nature has done her part in the 
beauty of growth and fruitage. 



132 SO UTH WE ST LO UISIA NA : 

Tlie situation here is unsurpassed. We have all the characteristics neces- 
sary to produce a good country. Climate, soil and water. The climate, the 
most even on the Southern border of the Union ; the soil rich ; and the rain about 
rightly distributed. No blizzards in winter, nor droughts in summer to contend 
with. Here we can distance our more northerly neiglibors in placing fruits and 
vegetables in the Northern markets earlier. There are hundreds of ways in 
which we possess advantages over others, while we have the consolation of 
knowing that none can go south of us and reap an advantage over us in early 
production. The warm gulf water in winter and the invigorating gulf breeze 
in summer makes it a delightful place to live, and thus we can make money and 
enjoy health at the same time. With all the advantages this country possesses 
by nature we have it a hundred, yea, a thousand fold, increased by the building 
of the Kansas City, Watkins & Gulf Railwaj'. The building of this road 
makes it possible for this country to become one vast garden spot in a few years' 
time. 

The natural course of exchange of products is North and South. From 
here we can send daily train loads of lumber, sugar, rice, hay, fruits and vege- 
tables and bring back in return, coal, marble, stone, corn, flour, etc. The rice 
industry is at present in the lead, although it is in its infanc}-. From thirty to- 
sixty bushels per acre may be easily grown and it is a cash crop, every bushel 
of which is needed and will find its way to the Northern markets by way of the 
North and South road. The sugar industry has not as yet come prominent!}' 
to the front for the reasons that it requires a greater outlay of capital for seed 
and machinery with which to make the juice into sugar. The fact has been 
ascertained, however, that cane makes an excellent growth here and a superior 
quality of sugar, and it is only a question of time when the central sugar factory 
will be established, and then almost every other industry will give place to this 
industry. It has been demonstrated that $200 per acre can be made by manu- 
facturing into syrup on the small evaporators. 

The shipment of fruits and vegetables, it is believed, will, at no distant day, 
occupy a large space; indeed it is now commanding the attention of many who 
are planting and preparing for the future. When we view our country with all its 
bright prospects, with a flow of immigration from the North, not equaled any- 
where in the South, it is no wonder we are proud of it. 

The parish of Calcasieu has an area of nearly four thousand square miles, 
about 2,500,000 acres. In climate, resources and all things that lead to the high- 
est material prosperity, it possesses advantages far superior to any portion of the 
North, Over two-thirds of this area is timber, mostly long-leaved yellow pine 
of superb quality. This is one of the most valuable woods known. li is not the 
common hard pine known to the commerce of the North, but a finer grainedr 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 133 

harder and more durable variety. The soil upon which it grows is like oak, 
maple and beech soil, and all that prevents the growth of these trees everj^where 
is the fires. The long-leaved pine tree is immensely tall, straight, of nearly uni- 
form size from bottom to top and with but few limbs, just at the top ; no under- 
brush. This tall, thin shade enables the grass to grow abundantly, affording the 
best of grazing for stock. It is but little labor to bring this land into cultivation, 
as compared with ordinary timber lands. Many claim that it is more productive 
than the prairie. Certainly, excellent crops of cotton and corn are raised upon it. 

The trees do not mature like the pine forests of the North, where, when cut, 
the land is a waste for many j^ears. Here the timber matures a portion at a 
time. In good timber from ten to twelve thousand feet of mature trees can be 
cut per acre. In ten years as much more can be cut, and so on, possibly in per- 
petuity. The present selling price is one dollar per thousand for stumpage. 
With more railroads and a better knowledge of the value of this timber by the 
markets of the world, stumpage will just as readily bring four to five dollars per 
thousand. 

It is not difficult from this statement, which can be easily verified, to deter- 
mine the value of this timber as an investment. It is advancing every week, and 
still it is very low. Fine tracts can be purchased at five dollars per acre. 
Equally good tracts, with not quite so much ripe timber, can be bought for three 
dollars per acre. In addition to the pine there are large quantities of oak, c}'- 
press, gum, ash, beech and magnolia, all valuable woods. 

The southern border of the parish is prairie. A magnificent expanse of 
land, fringed upon the north by stately forests and bordered upon the south by 
the blue waters of the gulf, fertile, traversed everywhere by navigable streams 
and fanned by cooling breezes of the purest air, tempering and mellowing the 
climate to the perfection of comfort and spreading over mankind the benison of 
health. It is unique and seductive, and when once enjoyed allows of no com 
parisons. 

Here agriculture thrives, the cereals and fruits come to perfection; here the 
stock demand nothing but the carpeted earth and the vaulted heavens. The 
most gorgeous foliage, the most lovely flowers, with the delicate tints and the 
richest perfumes, the sunniest daj's, the superb and glorious evenings, and the 
most refreshing slumbers are among the common enjoyments of a contented 
people. Coming to the practical matters of life, production is varied and abun- 
dant. Here and there the tame grasses have taken hold, showing that clover, 
red top, orchard grass, timothy and blue grass will ultimately be produced in 
abundance. Horses, mules, cattle, sheep and swine do well. At the Hawkeye 
ranch good butter has been made all summer. It was golden yellow without 
coloring, and stood firmly, though made without ice. 

Mr. Langley, just north of Bayou Serpent, raised eighty-five husliels of oats 



134 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

per acre last spring. This was machine measure, by weight there were nearly 
one hundred bushels. James Maund, of Jennings, raised this season as good 
corn as we ever saw at any fair. Abner Cole last season produced in the pine 
woods six barrels of syrup and sugar from one-half acre of cane. It was crushed 
in a common cane mill and made in open potash kettles. Mr. Nelson, east of 
Lake Charles, has a crop of tobacco that will make four thousand pounds per 
acre. Thomas Walton, from prairie land, sold his Irish potatoes at the rate of 
one hundred and fift}^ dollars per acre. Mr. Clark produced last year one hun- 
dred and fift}' barrels of sweet potatoes per acre, and Mr. Adams one hundred 
and fifty-seven barrels. Five thousand cabbages have been produced by a gar- 
dener in Lake Charles on one acre, and four other crops of vegetables on the 
same land in that }'ear. The farmers are cutting one ton and a half of hay per 
acre on the prairie. The average crop of rice per acre is from ten to twenty 
barrels, worth from three to four dollars per barrel in the rough; and it costs to 
produce it no more than wheat. 

No warm country has so few insects. All through the pine woods a mosquito 
bar is not used. Flies are rarely troublesome. For stock in this particular a 
most favorable comparison may be drawn with the best grazing districts in the 
world. The woods are filled with game, and the coast marshes and bayous are 
everywhere fringed with a motley gathering of the feathered tribes. The streams 
abound with fish, and the coast furnishes the best of oysters. 

This coast prairie is destined in a short time to become densely populous by 
reason of its subterraneous wealth. Ai^ery's Island, near New Iberia, covers a 
quarry of solid rock-salt as white as marble, containing more than ninetj'-nine 
one-hundredths of sodium chloride, and hence is almost absolutely pure salt. 
The deposit is supposed to be inexhaustible. The mining of this salt is in suc- 
cessful operation. Ten miles west of Lake Charles is a bed of pure sulphur 
sixty feet thick. A wealtliy company commenced mining operations and dis- 
continued, but it is rumored they will soon resume operations. [They have 
alread)' commenced operations again with a large force and are pushing ahead 
with great energy. — Ed.] In boring for the sulphur, petroleum of excellent 
quality for lubricating was struck in large quantities. The oil region extends 
over more than two hundred thousand acres of land. On the coast some thirty 
miles from the sulphur borings, petroleum is poured out upon the gulf waters in 
quantities suflicient to cover several square miles. 

On the subject of stock raising, the Lake Charles Echo had this to say of 
some of the ranches of this parish : 

Among the largest ranclies of Calcasieu are those of Aladin Vincent, Oscar, 
David, Malachi and Madison Lyons, in the western portion of the parish. Mr. 
Aladin Vincent says he has turned three-year-old steers into the market, weigh- 
ing from eight to nine hundred pounds, which he considered all profit to him, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 13& 

except the expense of branding and gatliering for market. Tlie Perr3-s also, in 
this section, are large cattle owners. The most of these are also raising horses,, 
some merely for their own use, others for the market. North of these may be 
found other large cattle owners ; perhaps the largest north of the Southern Pa- 
cific Railroad are the Hon. Wm. M. Perkins, Mr. W. E. Gill and the lies. 

Coming east of the Calcasieu River, we find Watkins" ranch. This ranch 
embraces several ranches of bygone days. His purchase in 1884 for the English 
syndicate embraced a large tract of land on which several ranchmen kept large 
herds of cattle and ponies. After the purchase was made, the ranchmen either 
sold out bodily to Mr. Watkins or moved their stock to other fields. Besides 
these are a number of smaller ranches, such as the Hawkeye ranch north of 
Welsh. There are also quite a number in various portions of the parish engaged 
in sheep raising, and report their flocks in healthy condition. One gentleman 
from Waxeyland, in Texas, saj's this section has largely the advantage over 
Waxe3'land for sheep raising, as the land here has sufficient sand in it to keep 
the dirt from accumulating around the feet, thereby causing foot rot. 

Fruit in Calcasieu. — The following on fruit culture is drawn from the 
editorials of The American : Much has been written and talked about fruit raising 
in this countr}^, and yet we are convinced that not one-half the citizens of this 
region, nor one-twentieth of the people of the United States, even dream of the 
wonderful possibilities we hope to see realized in the near future. 

Tlie climate of Southwest Louisiana is well adapted to all semi-tropical 
fruits, and to most of tiiose of the temperate zones. Oranges, figs and pome- 
granates do splendidly here and yield large returns. Olives will thrive and yield 
enormous incomes for a lifetime. For peaches, pears, plums, grapes, blackber- 
ries, dewberries and strawberries, this climate can not be excelled on the conti- 
nent. Apples, especially of the summer and fall varieties, when grafted on 
quince, mayhaw or Leconte roots, do as well as they do in any country. . Mr. 
Derouen, on the Lacasine, has as fine success with apples as any one can wish, 
and there are many other examples of success in raising apples in this region^ 
We are convinced that it will pay to plant apples largely, but would advise that 
they be grafted on quince, mayhaw or Leconte roots. We think it a good plan 
to graft pears of all kinds on the same roots. The mayhaw, which is itself a 
valuable fruit, gives us one of the best stocks for grafting that we have. Horti- 
culturists are beginning to discover the value of the mayhaw in this respect, 
and we expect to see it more largely used in the futue than in the past. 

Trees bear very young in this climate. Peaches will bear the second year 
from the seed; plums about the same. Apples will bear the third year from the 
grafting. Figs sometimes produce ripe fruit the first year from cuttings. Oranges 
bear in about four years from grafts. 



136 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

As to profits it is hard to over-estimate. Peaches will j-ield $1000 worth of 
fruit per acre three years after planting tlie budded trees, if well cultivated and 
cared for. Oranges will do still better when they come into full bearing, which 
they do in about six or seven years after setting out. Pears have produced at the 
rate of $2500 per acre when the tree was seven years old. There is no telling 
what an acre of large fig trees well cared for will produce, but it will be enormous. 
Fortunes can be made, as soon as we have communication north by rail, raising 
dewberries, blackberries and strawberries. 

In order to succeed in raising fruits, however, the ground must be prepared 
for the trees. It must be thoroughly drained, and should be fertilized to secure 
the best results, although a measure of success may be obtained without. There 
is no need of irrigation here. In this respect we have the advantage of Cali- 
fornia, and in our opinion we will soon eclipse the famed Southern California 
region in fruit. We undoubtedl}' have a grand future before us. 

* 
-* * 

After reading this article you will certainly be impressed with the idea that 
this section of country is particularly adapted to fruits. There are no great ex- 
tremes of heat or cold, and the rainfall is just about what it should be for suc- 
cessful fruit growing. The trees grow to enormous size when properly cared 
for, and the fruits are delicious. Varieties of pears that are considered in some 
sections as hardly third rate, when grown here are considered first class. The 
flavor of the peach is considered as good here as those grown in any part of the 
United States. Plums of various kinds, including the Japan plum, ripening usu- 
ally in Februar}', grow to great perfection. This is the home of the fig, and the 
profits likely to accrue in a few years from fig culture will be large ; indeed, by 
the evaporating process it is possible to make enormous profits out of this indus- 
tr}-. There are many others, but we will only notice the orange. If the oranges 
grown by the natives here for many years past are a success, what can we say 
of the Oonshiu under intelligent cultivation? Every variety of Japanese fruits 
that has been tried here succeeds remarkably well. The horticulturists of Japan 
of all others lead the world. The}- have arrived nearer to perfection in the fruit 
industry there, perhaps, than in any other place on the habitable globe. They 
have schools of horticulture, in which the natives receive the highest training in 
tree culture. Persons attending the world's fair at Paris report seeing pine and 
cedar trees one hundred and fifty years old, and mere box plants; apple and 
pear trees more than a hundred years old, two feet high and laden with fruit. 
It is here that the Oonshiu orange has been improved on for ages, until it is now 
next to perfection. The orange in its natural or wild state was full of thorns, 
the fruit was of a bitter sour, full of seed, and the pulp and rind clinging closely 
together. After ages of study and toil a tree has been perfected without thorns, 
a fruit without seed, with pulp and rind parting readily, and of a most delicate 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 137 

taste. After all these excellent qualities had been perfected, they succeeded in 
bringing it into bearing pretty fair crops at the age of three years. Finally they 
brought it up, by a slow process of grading, until it could be successfully grown 
in a climate of six months winter. 

This is the celebrated Oonshiu orange, said to be the most perfect orange 
now in cultivation. But few have as yet been introduced into our country, but, 
like the other fruits of Japan, it has shown itself true to name. One writer says 
it stood the cold with him where barrels of water were frozen to soHd ice, and 
where the thermometer must have gone to ten degrees below zero. It is reported 
that a number of trees passed through the cold in Texas with the thermometer 
as low as zero. Horticulturists in Texas have come to the conclusion that they 
can make this fruit a success almost all over the State. This being the case, 
what will it be in our section of country, where it is peculiarly suited and where 
we alread}' grow such perfect fruit out of the old native varieties? 

• With lands here now at five to ten dollars per acre, a north and south railway 
from here to Kansas Cit)% and the possibility of shipping this fruit in September 
and October (as it ripens earlier than other varieties), where, we ask, is there 
a better place to drive down a stake for a home in the beautiful, delightful Sunny 

South ? , 

* * 

The Fig. — We regard the fig as one of the most valuable fruits of this or 
any other country. In their fresh state, when fully ripe, there is no other fruit 
that we know of that is so delicious and at the same time so healthful. There is 
no other fruit we know of upon which human beings can live so well without any 
other food. A person can not onl\- live, but will grow fat upon a diet composed 
exclusively of fresh figs. 

There is another thing about figs different from most other fruits, and that 
is, that the more a person uses them the more he wants. The first time a person 
unaccustomed to figs tastes them he may not relish them very well, but let him 
continue to eat them a few days and he will soon get so he will prefer them to 
any other fruit. They are not only a first-class food fruit, but also possess med- 
ical virtue. We verilj' believe that there is not much danger of sickness to any 
one who will eat all the fresh, ripe figs they can every day, and will be prudent 
in other things. 

But figs are not onlj- \aluable in their fresh state, but can be prepared in 
various ways for food. The}' are excellent canned in self-sealing glass jars. 
The}' make splendid preserves. They are delicious when prepared by drying and 
pressed into boxes. But perhaps the cheapest way in which figs can be prepared 
for keeping is by drying them by means of an evaporator. They can be pre- 
pared in this way cheaply and speedily, and make the most delicious dried fruit 
in existence. In preparing them in this way they should not be kept in the 



138 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

evaporator too long, but when partially dry should be pressed into boxes or 
buckets and permitted to go through a kind of sweat, when they are ready for use. 
Southwestern Louisiana is especially adapted to figs. Perhaps no country 
in the world can excel us in the production of this valuable fruit, and but few can 
equal us We had the pleasure of showing a Californian around a few days ago 
and among other things we examined the fig trees, loaded with their enormous 
crop of young figs. Our California friend said, " You can undoubtedly beat us 

in figs." 

Perhaps there is no other fruit that will produce as many barrels of fruit 
per acre as figs, and there is nothing in the fruit line more easily raised than fig 
trees. All tliat is necessary is to cut limbs from the trees and stick them mto 
the ground where you want your trees, and they will nearly every one grow. 
By planting the different varieties it is possible to have an abundance of this lus- 
cious fruit from the latter part of June until December. 

We verily believe that one acre of fig trees five years old will make a com- 
fortable support for an ordinary family. We believe an acre of figs will pro- 
duce more food for man, beast or fowl than an acre of almost any other produce 
grown. Let us plant figs and plant them largely. 

This is the home of the fig. There is no place in the South where they 
grow to greater perfection than in Southwestern Louisiana. The question has 
often been asked: " What will you do with them after you raise them, as they 
will not bear transportation to any great distance?" Some have recommended 
canning, but the last and seemingly the best is to evaporate them. Mr. C. G. 
Pageot, of our city, conceived the idea last summer that with an evaporator he 
could in a few hours' time produce a fig equal to the dried figs put up in other 
sections. He made the experiment and showed us the fig after it had been 
through the evaporator. We thought then, as he did, that it was a success. He 
pressed these figs in two-pound boxes and put them away, and they are keeping 
as perfectly as when they were put up. These figs were dried without any sugar 
added. The family now who has a fig orchard can, without an outlay for an 
evaporator, put up their own figs, which will certainly be very profitable. 

Rice Culture.— li is reported by the last census that Louisiana raised 
500,000 pounds of rice; South Carolina, 100,000 pounds: Georgia, 50,000; 
North Carolina, 41,500; and Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas, all told, 
285 000 Thus it will be seen that Louisiana produces more rice than all the 
other States of the Union put together. This is doubtless true, or the census 
would not say so. It is a truthful body (unless it be in regard to the population 
of large cities), and its statistical facts may be regarded as substantially correct. 
Calcasieu is the banner parish of Louisiana in the cultivation of rice. Much of 
its lands are specially adapted to rice. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



139 



The editor of the Jennings Reporter gives some figures on the acreage of 
nee planted in that part of the parish. He estimates that between Lake Arthur 
on the south to China post-office north of Jennings, and between the Mermentau 
River, the Nezpique and Grand Marias, there will be about nine thousand acres 
planted in rice, which, at ten barrels per acre, will give 90,000 barrels of rice, 
and of this amount he expects 60,000 barrels at least or about four hundred car 
loads to be shipped from Jennings. Two years ago only twenty-six car loads 
were shipped from Jennings ; last year, one hundred car loads. All this rice, 
should Jennings not get a rice mill, would eventually find its way to Lake 
Charles and be shipped northward on the Kansas City, Watkins & Gulf Rail- 
way. This is only a small portion of the rice acreage of this parish, and everv 
bushel raised in the parish should be hulled on mills here instead of beino- shipped 
to the New Orleans mills. "^ 

Says the American on the same subject : There is, perhaps, no section of 
country better adapted to rice culture than the lands of Calcasieu. Rice 
culture is now attracting more attention than any other field crop. The cultiva- 
tion is simple, consisting principally of planting and flooding, and the profits are 
large. Had we the space, we could give numerous instances of persons making 
enormous profits. 

Mr. R. Hall, of Cherokee, Iowa, purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of land for $800. Paid out for improvements about $450. Total cost of land 
and improvements, $1250. He rented the land for one-third, which was planted 
in rice, and reahzed for his third of the rice $1500. 

J. W. Rosteet reports on twenty-one acres of land planted in rice. He gives 
the expense of ditching, levees, fencing, planting and harvesting at $457.68. He 
sold his rice for $860, leaving a balance of $462.32. 

We give these two instances, not that they are exceptions, for there are in- 
stances where much greater profits have been made, but because Mr. Rosteet is 
a native of this parish, and Mr. Hall a resident of Cherokee, Iowa, and a gen- 
tleman well known in many States in the North. 

* * 
The American has from its beginning told of the possibilities of Calcasieu 
parish as a rice growing country, and of the great profits to the farmer to be de- 
rived therefrom. It has furthermore shown that there is great wealth in sugar, 
fruits and many other products of the farm. It is now beginning to realize°thJ 
fulfilment of its dreams. For years it was the universal opinion that rice could 
not be harvested by machinery; four years ago a rice machine was brought to the 
parish and tried with success. It is only three years since William Deering & 
Co. started to improve their harvesters to adapt them to the rice farmer's use. 
At that time Mr. E. S. Center advised his firm to enter this field, but they said to 
him,«'You might as well send cotton presses to Manitoba as harvesters to Louis- 



140 SO UTHWEST L O UTS I AX A : 

iana." Not discouraged, however, he persevered until he was successful, and 
now he says he can cut rice in eighteen inches of mud, and to back up his guar- 
antee he has shipped into Southwest Louisiana a train load of the William Deer- 
ing harvesters; a train load of twenty-two cars containing three hundred ma- 
chines. This is a grand demonstration of the development of Southwest Louis- 
iana during the past three years. 

The train left Chicago on the 8th inst., and was beautifull}' decorated with 
flags and flowers, and it is said to be the most beautiful freight train that ever 
entered the Southern States. At every station along the route it was met by large 
crowds, who hailed it with cheers and speeches of welcome. Among these crowds 
the representative of The American looked for the old croaker, who always 
said, "You can't make a living on a farm in this country," "but where, oh where 
was he?" " gone where the woodbine twineth," or dead with throat disease Irom 
overmuch croaking. When the train arrived at Lake Charles, over a thousand 
people were at the depot to welcome the representatives of the Deering Company 
and the representatives of the press. 

Prof. Knapp, of Lake Charles, and Mr. Carj-, of Jennings, made short 
addresses to the people on behalf of the Deering Companj-. which was followed 
by three rousing cheers for the compan}'. 

Mr. H. C. Drew read an invitation from the citizens of Lake Charles to the 
representatives of the company and the press inviting them to a banquet to be 
given at the Hotel Howard in honor of the occasion. 

Since this train left Chicago, another consignment of the machines has been 
shipped and is on its way to Southwest Louisiana, and the agents are now receiv- 
ing orders ever\' Aay. This, we will add, is the work of only one company. 
The Osborne Company is also in the field, and while we do not know the amount 
of their sales they have no doubt been large. So that not less than five or six 
hundred machines will be sold this year. The estimated crop of Calcasieu par- 
ish is 600,000 barrels, and if the increase next year should be as circumstances 
now indicate she will ship one million and a half barrels next ^"ear. 

Lumber Interests. — Upon the lumber interests of the South, and which seem 
to center in Calcasieu parish. The American has this to say: Lumber is now one 
of the South's greatest resources, and stands very prominent in Southwest Lou- 
isiana. We have time and again treated on this subject, but an industry of such 
vast possibilities, making such a rapid progress, can not be laid before the peo- 
ple too often. 

We have in the South a greater variety of timbers than the North, and the 
advantages of manufacturing are far superior to those of the North. These 
facts have been recognized long ago, and the timber lands have largelj^ increased 
in value in the last few years. The timber here is adapted to almost every 



HISl^ORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 141 

branch of manufacture into which wood enters. For buildincr material our 
Southern timber stands par excellent. Car building, furniture, ship building, 
railroad ties and bridge timbers, and lastly for paving. 

It is claimed that there are more than two hundred varieties possessing valu- 
able qualities. Among the many varieties stands the famous yellow pine, the 
cheapest, the most abundant and best known of all the woods. The Calcasieu 
yellow pine has found its way to the Northwest, South America, Europe, and 
large quantities are shipped to Me.xico, and its superiority is admitted by all. 
Next to the yellow pine is our cypress, which is>sed now principally for shin- 
gles and cistern building. The curly pine of this section, with one variety of 
cypress, makes the finest finishing material for inside work.' 

When we come to consider the number of valuable timbers which can be 
handled so cheaply in the South, it is not to be wondered at, the extent to which 
the industry has been developed within the past few years. The wonder is that 
it did not come sooner. The first shipment of yellow pine to the Chicago mar- 
ket was considered coarse and was not desirable. The Northern lumbermen, 
however, recognizing its value, began about ten years ago to invest in yellow 
pine lands, smce which time they have obtained about ten million acres from 
the government and perhaps as much more from private parties. In some in- 
stances the investments have been made for speculative purposes ; in others it 
has been developed and has added largely to the weahh of the South. 

Here in C'alcasieu the industry has so developed that we now produce more 
lumber than the entire State did about ten years ago, and we are sadly in need 
of the opening of Calcasieu Pass, that our mills may be enabled to fill the orders 
for millions of feet that are wanted annually in South America. 

Mr. A. G. Van Shack, editor of the "Mississippi Valley Lumberman," 
published at Minneapolis, Minn., after a three weeks' tour through the lumber 
regions of the South, went home and wrote as follows of what he had seen : 

" The South presents better opportunities for making money in the lumber 
lines than any other section. I have just returned from a three weeks' trip 
through the principal lumber regions and am greatly surprised at the rapid im- 
provements that have taken place the last three 3-ears. The cotton crop brings 
the Southerners in a large amount of money, as the bulk is exported. The money 
is being spent on improvements and new buildings are to be seen in process of" 
erection on every hand. The consumption of lumber there is very large, but the 
export trade is greater than few have any idea of. We made a thorough examina- 
tion of the timber lands and the management and workings of the saw mills at 
all the leading points. The Southern mill men have a better market for their 
common lumber than the Northern mills and make a larger profit on it. At the 
same time, however the Southerners do not get as high a figure for their good 
lumber as we do. After we get out of good lumber the situation will change. 



142 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

and the Southern mills will have a chance to sell their good lumber to better ad- 
vantage. The common lumber will not bring as much profit as now. Northern 
logs that cost four dollars in the tree do not produce as much as Southern logs 
that cost fifty cents per one thousand feet more at the mill than it does in the 
North. Northern lumbermen would be fools to invest in pine lands in the North 
at four dollars an acre when they can buy land that is as good in the South for 
one-tenth the price. Southern lumber cuts out two and one-half per cent, below 
merchantable, while Northern logs cut seven to ten per cent. 

" Let me show }ou the difference between the Southern and the Northern 
prices at mill. Three inch joist, sixteen feet in length, are sold in lots of 500,- 
000 to 1,000,000 feet for export to load in vessels at $10 at the mill. The same 
retails here at $12.50, or at $9 net at the mills in Michigan. Common inch sells 
at $8 to $10, while the same only brings $7.50 at Manistee. 

"The Southern lumbermen have all the advantages of the Northern lumber- 
men. They can profit by the rapid development of the country by railroads, 
which enable tjjiem to market their product very rapidly. They have a demand 
for it which the Michigan men did not have in the early da3-s. In the way of 
machinery, they have the advantage of the great improvements made during the 
past fifty years. More money will be made in lumber in the South than there 
ever was in the North, there being about double the amount of timber that there 
was in the States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota fift}' years ago. It does 
not cost more to handle logs in the South. White men and negroes work side 
by side. A strong point in favor of the Southern mills is that they can cut more 
lumber in the same space of time with their circular saws, and cut it as good as 
any mill in the North. For instance, they will cut 60,000 feet a day of eleven 
hours with a single circular, while we can not cut 45,000 to 50,000 in ten hours. 
The South is the coming lumber countr}-." 

With all these advantages of climate, resources of so many kinds, from a 
toothsome fig and a luscious orange to a pine log and the Chinaman's favorite 
dish (rice), it would seem that Calcasieu parish is the land of the blest. So 
enraptured became the editor of the Lake Charles Echo that he tuned his harp 
one beautiful September day, in the year of grace 18SS, and throwing himself 
back on an inverted n;iil keg, which he dubbed his editorial chair, he sung as 
follows to an 

EVENING ON THE CALCASIEU. 

Tlie day is done; 

The setting sun, 
Growing red, sinks out of view; 

The lowing lierds 

And twitt'ring birds — 
I hear them on the Calcasieu. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 143 

The old saw mill 

As death is still, 
Save sundry hissings now and then; 

'Neath the sky blue 

Gathers the dew, 
Glittering in the sunlight sheen. 

The Calcasieu 

Reflects the blue 
And beauteous sky that bows above, 

And from afar 

A little star, 
Reflected, seems to speak of love. 

What is that? Hush! 

I hear a slush! 
I look; I see a little boat; 

A maiden fair, 

With golden hair, 
Sweetly, softly sings afloat! 

She glides along; 

I hear her song. 
It dies away upon the river; 

Soft, rippling waves 

Behind she leaves, 
That make the shadows dance and quiver! 

'Neath starry beam. 

On down the stream. 
The lovely maiden fades away; 

The zephyrs sigh 

For her gone by ; — 
I bid farewell her gentle lay. 

'Tis calm once more; 

The days of yore 
Crowd past me with their wondrous store; 

And, ere we knew, 

I wonder who 
Dwelt on this beauteous Calcasieu? 

Perhaps this mound 

Upon the ground 
Was built by some old chieftain who. 

With his Red Men 

Made his bed then 
Upon the banks of Calcasieu! 

Those Indian men 

No doubt have been 
Often on our river's sheen — 

The rough canoe 

And arrow true 
Borne on our lovely Calcasieu. 



144 SOUTHWEST L O LTSIANA : 

But what, unseen, 

The mirrored sheen. 
Breaks into nnyriad ripples, bright? 

The zephyrs stir, 

I think of her. 
Who passed away into the night! 

The pine's weird voice, 

That low, sweet noise, 
It makes me sad, yet I rejoice! 

The wild winds swell 

And break the spell — 
I rise to go; sweet scene, farewell! 

Railroads. — Calcasieu, until the building of the Louisiana Western Rail- 
road, now a link in the Southern Pacific system, was without railroads, and was 
dependent entirely on water transportation. But the railroad has given it an 
importance abroad that it did not before possess. The completion of the Kansas 
City, Watkins & Gulf Railway now being constructed from Lake Charles 
north to Alexandria, where it will make most advantageous northern connection, 
will give Calcasieu parish railroad facilities not excelled by any parish in the 
State. The road is already graded to Alexandria, and track-laying has com- 
menced. Thus, it will be seen, it is only a question of a short time when the 
products of Kansas and the great Northwest will find their way to the. markets 
of the world through this deep-water port. For when the improvements are 
made already ordered by the Congress of the United States of deepening Cal- 
casieu Pass, then Lake Charles becomes one of the safest and most important 
seaports on the Gulf of Mexico. 

Mr. J. B. Watkins, of what is known as the Watkins Syndicate, is doing 
a great thing for this country in building this new railroad. The American says 
very truly of it and the great benefit it will be to this section : 

The Kansas City, Watkins & Gulf Railway, now being built from this city 
in a northerly direction, is progressing as rapidly as could be expected. The 
winter has been very favorable for railroad building, and the contractors, Messrs. 
Kennedy and Stone, have made excellent headwa}'. The building of this road 
will do more for this section of country than anything else. Already the coun- 
try along the line is fast being settled by the thrifty Northern and Western farm- 
ers, who know that with the completion of this North and South road this will be 
one of the most inviting sections of country in the South for the fruit grow-er. 
We are informed by a reliable gentleman that the lands along the line and near 
it are being taken up very fast, all seeing the great future of this country in 
fruits. This gentleman says there are excellent rice lands and fruit lands along 
the line for some distance, but his opinion is the}' will not last long, as they mean 
money to every one who owns them. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. Uh 

Mr. J'lhn Speer. writing to the Daily Globe, Council Bluff, Iowa, thus 
expresses !iis opinion of the Calcasieu Pass as a deep water seaport and as a 
terminal point for a railroad from the Northwestern States: 

Two railroads are already projected between Kansas City and that point, 
and one of them, the Kansas City, Watkins & Gulf road, is alread\^ constructed 
lor about sixty miles. The route from Kansas City passes over an almost level 
country, with an average decline of about one foot to the mile. On this route 
is the best forest of timber for two hundred and fift}- miles to be found in the 
United States. Much of the land is subject to pre-emption and settlement. The 
timber consists largely of the long leaf pine, so marked in its superiority that it is 
known at Galveston and New Orleans as the Calcasieu pine, and is used for 
ornamental work, such as wainscoting, car finishing, etc. The other varieties 
are cypress, ash. all kinds of oak, hickory, pecan, white gum, magnolia, etc. 
Coal, iron and other mineral abound. In fact it is rich in all that will go to 
build up a countr\' and sustain railroads. The land is suitable for corn^ cotton, 
rice, oats, potatoes, apples, peaches, pears, plums, and everywhere small fruits. 
The advantages of this route are six hundred rniles less railroad haul tlirough 
an almost level country, avoiding the resistance of nature in crossing the divides 
of the continent, including the Allegheny and Cumberland Mountains. To this 
mav be added that most important factor, competition between marts of business 
on the gulf and the Atlantic. 

The new negotiations- now pending in tlie congress of all American nations 
are destined to afford opportunities for trade unparalleled in the history of tlie 
countr}-. Blaine, Carlisle and other statesmen fully appreciate it. These States 
are in the direct line of it and have but to seize the opportunity to secure it. The 
farmeis of Iowa do not want to know how to raise more corn and wheat, but how 
to get rid of them, as of other productions. The saving of the cost of transpor- 
tation, as well as the advantages of competition, is the remedy. 

The Sitlphiir Mine. — Sulphur and petroleum have been found in Calcasieu, 
some twelve miles from Lake Charles. Soon after the close of the war a com- 
pany was formed, who commenced boring in search of oil, where for years it 
had appeared at the surface. Petroleum has never been found in paying quan- 
tities, but sulphur was discovered, and in sufhcienllv large quantities to pav for 
working. 

The otficial report of the boring: Soil, two feet; solid cla}-, intercepted with 
two strata of quicksand twent3--two and fifteen feet thick, one hundred and sixt}-- 
three feet; quicksand, one hundred and seventy-nine feet: crumbling marl, two 
and one half feet; calcareous sand, 303^ feet; calcareous marl with pebbles, 4 
feet; hard, compact, calcareous stem, 5 feet; pure, white, saccharoid, calcareous 
10 



14G SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

substance, 42 feet; sulphur (77 per cent, pure sulphur), 112 feet; total, 540 feet,. 
and g}psum, 700 feet, entire total 1240 feet. 

The writer, in company with Capt. Bryan, of Lake Chailes, visited the sul- 
phur mine last winter, but learned little beyond what he could see for himself, 
as the superintendent seemed a little reticent as to the intentions of the company 
However, he seems to be making extensive preparations for something — proba- 
bly for working the mines. 

Churches and Schools. — The Baptists were the pioneers of religion in Cal- 
casieu. They established their first church on the Calcasieu River in the midst of 
the earliest settlement. It was called Antioch church, and some years after it was 
removed to the Big Woods, about ten miles from the original site. It is still used 
as a church, and still bears the name of Antioch. Since its removal to Big 
Woods, a number of the members withdrew and formed a church, in the imme- 
diate vicinity, of the Freewill Baptist or Hardshell persuasion. 

Ne.xt after the Baptists came the Methodists. Their first church was called 
Ryan's Chapel, and was located about eight miles from where Lake Charles 
now stands, on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River. After Lake Charles was 
laid out as a town, other denomin itions organized churches. The first church 
in the town was a Methodist, and for some time its building was used both as 
church and school house. Then came the Catholics, the German Methodists, 
Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodist Episcopal and Congrega- 
tionalists in the order named. The churches of Lake Charles are supplied with 
spiritual advisors at present as follows: The Baptist, Rev. G. B. Rogers, pastor; 
Methodist Episcopal South, Rev. T. J. Upton, pastor; First Presbj'terian, Rev. 
George Frazer, D.D., supply; Methodist Episcopal, Rev. C. A. King, pastor; 
Catholic church. Rev. Father Fallon, rector; Lutheran, Rev. S. Hoernicke, 
pastor; First Congregationalist, Rev. Henry L. Ilubbell, pastor; Episcopalian, 
no rector at present; the last one was Rev. E. J. Hammond. Churches of the 
different denominations have edifices throughout the parish. Most of the vil- 
lages have one or more church organizations. 

The first school in the parish was taught at the house of. the old pioneer, 
Jacob R3'an, who hired a man named Thomas Rigneaden to teach his children 
and those of his sons-in-law. Moss and Vincent. The first school house was 
built on Bayou Dend, six or eight miles from Lake Charles. The next school 
house in the parish was perhaps at Lake Charles, after it was laid out as a town. 
The parish now has a good sj'stem of public schools, and in Lake Charles an 
excellent grarfed school, second to none in the country. The editor of the- 
American, in a recent issue of his paper, thus describes a visit to the different 
educational institutions of Lake Charles: 

First we visited the public school. We found the fine building, which 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 147 

has been recentl}^ erected by the school board, in first-class order. It is an 
imposing structure, 42x78 feet, two stories high, containing eight school rooms. 
20x30 feet each, with wide corridors, cloak room, etc. Prof. O. S. Dolby, B. 
S., is tlie efficient principal, and has charge of the highest grade. He is an, 
experienced teacher. Born in Ohio, reared in Michigan, graduated from Hills- 
dale College, Michigan, in 1882. He has taugiit continuously since then in- 
Michigan and Louisiana. Miss M. J. Crossmun, B. S., a graduate of Ames*^ 
Scientific and Mechanical College, in Iowa, and a native of Virginia, has charge 
of the second department. She is also an experienced and accomplished teacher, 
having taught in Iowa, Virginia and Louisiana. The third department is under 
the temporary charge of Mr. Vincent, who will teach until a permanent teacher 
is secured. The fourth department is presided over by Miss M. A. Jenkins, 
who is a native Louisianian and a graduate of the Girls' High School, of New 
Orleans. She has taught the last three years, with great success and accepta- 
bilit}', the school in Westlake, and needs no recommendation to the people of 
Lake Cliarles. The primary department is under the care of Miss Louise 
Leveque, a recent graduate of the St. Charles x\cademy, of Lake Charles. 
Although tills is Miss Leveque's first experience as a teacher, she is thoroughly 
qualified for her work and is giving splendid satisfaction. She has her little 
bo3's and girls under thorough training and is popular with them. There are 
enrolled and in attendance in the various departments of the public school two 
hundred and three students, and the probability is that the number will be 
largely increased in the next few months. 

Next in our route, we visited the Lake Charles College. This institution, 
which is destined to be the leading college of the State west of the Mississippi, 
is domiciled in a beautiful and commodious building in the southeast part of the 
city. The main building is 55x85 feet, three-stories, 16, 14 and 12 feet high, 
respectively, and contains fourteen rooms and capacious corridors. The addi- 
tion, which is to be built in the near future, is to be 40x60 feet, two stories high. 
This imposing structure is situated in the center of a large campus, which is 
being graded, fenced and fronted with a splendid sidewalk. In the southwest 
corner of the campus, Mr. Frank Siling, builder, is just completing for the col- 
lege a splendid cottage for boarding purposes. The main building is 72x40, 
three stones high, and the L is 20x32, two stories high, and contains twenty- 
seven rooms. It is a marvel of beauty and convenience, and reflects credit 
upon both architect and builder. 

Lake Charles College was first opened for students October i, 1S90, with 
an eflicient faculty of five, but onlv three of them as yet have arrived on the 
ground, but will come on later. There are three departments — academic, pre- 
paratory and collegiate — but there are no students in tlie collegiate department this 
term. Rev. Henry L. Hubbe'l, D. D., is the efficient president. He is a native 



148 SOrrilWEST LOVISIAXA : 

of Connecticut, and lias resided for several years in Amherst, Mas?., as pastor of 
the Congregalionalist church. lie is a graduate of Yale College. Rev. A. R. 
Jont-s. A. M., a graduate of Amherst College of the class of iS8o, is professor 
in tlie college. Mrs. C. W. Little, a graduate of Fox Lake Seminary, Iowa, is 
profes.sor of music. 

The college has enrolled thirty-nine this first month, and this inimher will 
be largely increased when the cottage is opened for boarders, as it will be in the 
near future. The faculty will be increased as rapidly as required, and the cur- 
riculum and instruction will be equal to the best colleges in the nation. The 
institution gives a fine opportunity to Northern parents to come and spend the 
winter in a genial climate, and at the same time send their children to a first- 
class college while they are still under the care of their parents. 

The St. Charles Academy, under the supervision and instruction of the Sis- 
ters Marianites of the Holy Cross, has been in operation eight years. It is a 
chartered academy and gives diplomas to its graduates. It has literature, art 
and music in its course of study. The discipline is good, although corporal 
punishment is never resorted to. It has seven teachers and sixtj-giils and thirty- 
seven bo\"S in attendance. 

Tlie Glendale Institute has been running six years in Lake Charles, under 
the etiicient management of Miss Ella R. Usher, a native of Baton Rouge and 
a graduate of the schools of that cit}'. She has one assistant, and teaches 
Engl'sh and French. There are thirt3'-six in attendance at tliis institution. 

Miss Mollie Burt claims the honor of having the oldest school in the city. 
It is needless for us to speak in high terms of her as a teacher, for her work 
speaks for itself. She is a graduate of the New Orleans Giils' High School, and 
has taught continuously in Lake Charles for a number of years. She has all the 
students she can take care of properlv. The present number is twenty-five, 
but as soon as she secures an assistant a number of othei^s will attend. 

Rev. S. Hoernicke is conducting a school in German and English, with good 
success. He is a native of Ohio, and a graduate of a college in Springfield, 111. 
His school numbers thirt3'-six, and is increasing. Besides these schools, which 
are for whites, there are also several schools for colored children conducted in 
our titv. 

The correspondent of the American Wool, Cotton and Financial Reporter, 
Boston, Massachusetts, the great educational center of the United States, the 
very Athens of America, had this to say of the college at Lake Charles: 

" The Lake Charles College was established by the Congregationalists, of 
the New England States principally, a number of the wealthier citizens here 
aiding in the enterprise. They ha\e, in a well situated portion of the citj', six- 
teen acres of ground and a magnificent building erected thereon. This college- 
opened October i,with Rev. H. L. Hubbell, D. D., of Amherst, Massachusetts, 



niSTORlCAL AXD JiJOdRAri/JCAL. \Vj 

as presidf nt, and Rev. A. R. Jones, a graduate of Anilierst College, as principal 
of the preparatory and academical. departments. We were present last Sunday 
niglit in the Baptist chui'ch in this city and listened to an able sermon from Dr.. 
Ilubbell, who preached by invitation of the pastor, the Rev. G. R. Rogers, and 
at the close of the sermon INIr. Rogers also introduced Prof. Jones, and made a 
few excellent remarks, encouraging his congregation to stand b\' and help, bv 
word, deed and patronage, these Christian gentlemen in establishing and main- 
taining this college. JNIr. Rogers is a Southern man. and this shows the feeling 
that exists between the Northern and the Southern people liere, and shows that 
the efforts made here by the Northern people are appreciated. This is thouglit 
to be a far-reaching movement on the part of the Christian people of the East. 
There are a great many people from the North here alread}-, but not a great 
many from the New England States. Tiie most of them settle in tlie prairie and 
along the line of the new railroad. We will endeavor to see a number of the 
Northern people who have resided here a j-ear or more and relate in our next, 
article some of their experiences." 

The colored people have a number of schools and churches in tlie parish,, 
and a very excellent graded school in Lake Charles. The3-are manifesting con- 
siderable interest in educational matters. 

Doctors and I^cnuyers. — Not much is known of the earl}' physicians of 
Calcasieu; the old pioneers in the healing art, who have passed away, and the 
present practitioners are mostly noticed in the biographical department of tliis 
volume. Dr. J. B. Saunders is one of the first physicians remembered in the 
parish. He was originally from Virginia, but came here from North Louisiana. 
Next Dr. Hardy came over from Opelousas, remained a few years and returned 
whence he came. Dr. Kirkman was also an early physician here, but died a few 
years ago. His family still resides here. He was a prominent man and a popu- 
lar pliysician. Dr. Gray came here from the north part of the State and prac- 
tised here until his death in May, 1881. Few names in Louisiana are more 
widely known or more gratefully remembered than that of Dr. Gray. He was 
a man of generous impulses, of wide benevolence, and a heart overflowing with 
S3'mpathy for the woes of others. When he died hundreds wept tears of 
sympathy for his bereaved family. There are a number of able and experi- 
enced physicians in the parish, and in Lake Charles, for sketches of whom the 
reader is referred to Part \1 of this work. 

The first lawyer of the parish was Samuel L. Kirb}-. He came here from 
Claiborne parish, but was originally from the Green Mountains of Vermont. 
He was a man of considerable legal prominence, and for some time held the 
practice of Calcasieu alone. A daughter now keeps the Hotel Howard. The 
next lawyer was a Mr. Parsons, and the next a Mr. Ewing. These two gentle- 
men were both killed near the public square by a man named LeBUie, a rather 



ToO SO(T//ir£S7' L Oi'/SIAXA : 

desperate character, it is said, and who finally met his own death with his boots 
on. A lawyer named Sorwell was the next practitioner at the Calcasieu bar. 
He and his wife were drowned at Calcasieu Pass many 3-ears ago. 

Judge Kearney was a prominent member of the bar of C.ilcasieu, and was 
District Attorney at the time of his decease a short time since. He was suc- 
ceeded as District Attorney by Mr. Joseph C. Gibbs, whose accidental death a 
few months ago, while out hunting, cast a gloom over the whole country. The 
lawyers of the present bar are Hon. Geo. H. Wells, Hon. G. A. Fournet, Col. 
A. R. Mitchell, D. B. Gorham, W. F. Schwing, R. Odom, R. P. O'Brien, A. 
Pujo, E. D. Miller and John McNeese. 

The parish is divided into eight jury wards, with a representative from each 
ward, who constitute the municipal government of the parish. The present 
police jurors are — for the first ward, Emile Buller; for second ward, D. D. 
Andrus; for third ward, Adolph Meyer and J. W. Rosteet; for fourth ward, 
Charles Miller; for fifih ward, Reese Perkins; for sixth ward, T. J. Carroll; 
for seventh ward, Levi A. Miller; for eighth ward, Ivan A. Perkins. Adolph 
Meyer is president of the board; Dosite Vincent, clerk, and W. L. Hutchins, 
treasurer. Secretary of the parish School Board is John McNeese; Thomas 
Kleinpeter is parish surveyor; Dr. A. J. Perkins, coroner; C. M. Richard, 
assessor; R. J. O'Brien, district attorne}-; D. J. Reed, Jr., sheriff; Thad. 
IMajo, clerk of court; Hon. S. D. Reed, judge of District Court; Hon. S. O. 
Shattuck, member of Legislature. The assessed valuation of property for the 
parish since and including 1S85 is as follows: For 1885, $3,018,570; for [886, 
$3,191,125; for 1887, $3,476,003; for 1888, $4,060,735; for 1889, $4,300,330; 
for 1890, $5,738,550, an increase, it will be observed, from 18S9 to 1890, of 
considerably over a million dollars. 

Lake Charles SeUled.—L.7Kk.& Charles was settled — it was never regularly- 
surveyed and laid out as a town — about 1852. It was incorporated about 1857, 
under the name of Charleston, for one of the first settlers of the place named 
Charles Sallier. It then had a population of from three to five hundred souls, 
and about the same time it became tlie parish seat. In 1867 it was incorpoiated 
under the name of Lake Charles, and still retaining the name of the old pioneer, 
■Charles Sallier. The following is the act of incorporation: 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened. That the inhabitants of 
the town of Lake Charles in the parish of Calcasieu, and the same are hereby 
made a body corporate and politic by the name of the Town Council of Lake 
Charles, and as such can sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, shall 
possess the right to establish a common seal, and the same to annul, alter or 
change at pleasure. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the limits of said town of Lake 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 151 

Charles sliall be laid out in the following manner, to-wit : Beginning north on the 
east bank of Lake Charles, ten acres above the residence of Joseph L. Bilbo, 
thence southward along the bank of said lake to and including the lands of 
Michael Pithon ; thence eastward on a line parallel with the line of lands of W. 
Hutchins, and so as to include the residence of J. V. Moss, to the line which 
intersects the lands of J. V. Fouchey and W. Hutchins; thence on a parallel 
line with said intersection line of J. V. Fouchey and W. Hutchins as for north 
as to intersect an east and west line from the place of beginning and comprising 
all property therein situated. 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the municipality of said town of 
Lake Charles shall consist of a mayor and five aldermen, three of whom, 
together with the mayor, shall constitute a quorum to transact business. No per- 
son shall be eligible to the office of mayor or aldermen who does not reside 
within the limits of said corporation and is above the age of twenty-one years ; 
the said mayor and aldermen shall be chosen by the qualified voters hereinafter 
provided fc^r in this act; said mayor and aldermen to be elected on the first 
Monday in June each and every year. 

The remaining sections up to ten define the duties of the different officers 
of the town, etc. The act is signed by — 

Duncan S. Cage, 

Speaker House of Representatives. 
Approved March 16, 1867. Albert Voorhies, 

A true copy. Lieut. Governor and President 

J. H. Hardy, J. Madison Wells, ''f'"^ Senate. 

Secretary of State. Governor of the State of Louisiana. 

A writer thus speaks of the incorporation of Lake Charles; ''Up to ten 
years since its population had not reached more than eight hundred. About that 
time the Louisiana Western Railroad was constructed, and communication being 
established with the cities of Texas on the west and New Orleans on the east, the 
citizens were no longer dependent upon schooners coming up the Calcasieu River, 
and new people came in, new enterprises were started, the town began to grow, 
and the limits were found too small. Under a general law of the State the cor- 
porate limits were enlarged, and the little stopping place of cattlemen bloomed 
into the beautiful town we now have, with a summer population of three thousand 
six hundred, at least four thousand winter residents, containing seven hotels, two 
banks, an ice factory, two machine shops, one large opera house, nine verj' large 
saw-mills, three shingle mills, around it." 

Following is the municipal government: Hon. A. L. Reid, mayor; E. D. 
Miller, secretary; W. A. Knapp, treasurer ; C. B. Richard, collector; and coun- 
cilmen: J. C. Munday, E. J. Lyons, Sol Blocli, Robert King and J. T. Brooks. 



U-2 SOUTHWEST L OUISIAXA : 

A Go-ahead Tinvn. — That Lake Charles is a live, go-ahead town, is vouched 
for by that able advocate of its advantages and capabilities, the American, as lol- 
lovvs : Lake Charles is situated on the line of the Southern Pacific Railro.id, 
two hundred and seventeen miles west of New Orleans, one hundred and sixl}' 
miles east of Houston, Texas, and at the terminus of the Kansas City, Watkins 
lS: Gulf Railroad, soon to be completed. The city is situated upon the eastern 
bank of a beautiful lake. Upon the north an immense virgin forest of long leaf 
yellow pine e.'itends hundreds of miles. On the south the great coast prairie 
stretches to the gulf, and eastward for more than one hundred and thirty miles, 
an expanse of surpassing grandeur, witii soil of marvelous fertility and a 
climate the most genial upon this continent. Hon. W. H. Harris, Commissi mer 
of Immigration for Louisiana, says of the country about the town: "The 
climate of the prairie is admirable — breezy and cool in summer, mild in winter, 
and healthy at all times. Altogetlier this region may be regarded as the loveliest 
in Louisiana." With such reasonable care as intelligent people exercise in all • 
countries, this climate has been found to be generally healthy and very bene- 
ficial to pulmonary, bronchial and rheumatic troubles. Every winter people 
come to Lake Charles as a health resort. Lake Ciiarles is the largest town in 
Southwestern Louisiana. Previous to the war it was only a village of one or 
two stores, a rude form of court house and a log jail. New stores were added 
after the war, and as the superior merits of the Calcasieu timber became 
known, it began to assume importance as a business center, and to-day has a 
population somewhere between four and five thousand souls. They are ener- 
getic, live people, and are engaged in milling, merchandising and all other pur- 
suits that man follows for a livelihood. Northern capital in the last few years 
has found out that here is a good place to invest its surplus capital, and Lake 
Charles numbers among her stanchest citizens to-da^' Northern men who were 
attracted here by the superior location and soil for which this parish is noted. 
Lake Charles has ten large saw mills, three shingle mills, an ice factory, two 
shipyards and about fifty miles of narrow gauge tram road that is used in carry- 
ing logs to the lake and river. All lines of merchandise are represented 
here. 

Lake Charles can boast among her business men, men of money and enter- 
prise, who have confidence in her future, and having confidence, they are willing 
to risk tiieir money. Prof. S. A. Knapp is the local agent and general manager 
of the Southern Real Estate, Loan and Guarantee Company. The company 
commands unlimited capital, and is composed of men both here and in the 
Northern office who are thoroughly acquainted with their business, and parties 
who desire either to buy or sell should not fail to call on them. They bu}' and 
sell real estate in large quantities. To sell blocks to actual settlers is their 
special hobby, as they are determined to settle up Calcasieu parish and make it 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 103 

the small farmers' paradise. This company is composed of leading capitalists ol 
England, and is cooperative in its action. The president is a prominent member 
of parliament. 

The Watkins Banking Company, another large moneyed institution of 
this country, has an office here, and is a leader in settling up this parish 
with the hardy yeomanry from the Northwestern States. The company owns 
large bodies of land in this and adjoining parishes, besides which they are build- 
ing a railroad to Kansas City. The Kansas City, Watkins & Gulf Railway, 
now being built from this city in a northerly direction, is progressing as rapidly 
as could be expected. The winter has been very favorable for railroad building, 
and tiie contractors, Messrs Kenedy & Stone, have made e.xcellent headway. 
The building of this road will do more for this section of country than anything 
else. Already tlie country along the line is fast being settled up by the thrifty 
Northern and Western farmers, who know that with the completion of this north 
and south road this will be one of the most inviting sections of country in the 
Soutli for the fruit growers. We are infoimed b\- a reliable gentleman that tlie 
lands along the line and near it are being taken up very fast, as all are seein^f the 
great future of this country in fruits. This gentleman says there are excellent 
rice lands and fruit lands along the line for some distance, but his opinion is that 
they will not last long, as they mean money to everyone wlio owns them. Tiiis 
company has lately laid off, inside the corporate limits of the city, two hundred 
and sixtjf acres of land in addition, and has graded tifteen miles of streets. 

Lake Charles Adapted to Manufactories. — Lake Charles has the bejt of 
facilities for becoming a manufacturing town. It has one trunk line railroad, 
and will soon have another. These will cause local roads to be built to other 
points. Even now there is one contemplated from the Sulphur Mine to tap the 
Southern Pacific some dozen miles or so west of the mine. Lake Charles has 
alread}' pretty good water transportation, and when Calcasieu Pass is improved 
and deepened as designed, it will have the advantages of both railroad and water 
transportation. These combined advantages must result in great benefit and 
wealth to the town if her people continue to exert themselves as they are now 
doing, and "keep the ark moving." With her vast lumber interests, now ag- 
gregating millions of dollars annually, and to which should be added rice mills, 
sugar refineries, cotton gins and presses, oil mills and other factories that will 
necessarily follow, then will the hum of industry echo and reecho across your 
beautiful httle lake. When you hear of a firm or company who are desirous of 
starting a manufacturing enterprise in your town, don't put your heads together 
and figure on how much you can squeeze out of them for a location for their 
establishment, but donate five, ten, or twenty acres if that will secure it. If a 
manufacturing enterprise is established in the town, employing a hundred hands. 



154 ^Y^ ^ '77/ U'EST LO 1 73/ A A 'A : 

^vith a monthi;,- pay roll of saj' $5000, who will be more benefited than the busi- 
ness men of Lake Charles? Why, the matter is so plain that "even a fool 
should not err therein." The editor of the American strikes the key note to the 
situation when he sa3's : 

Facts and figures continue to show and prove wliat we have before repeated, 
that right in tlie South, in the midst of the cotton fields, is the place for success- 
ful cotton manufacturing. Experience has proven this beyond question. There 
is not a factory in the South, where it is properly managed, but what is pa3'ing a 
good per cent, on the investment. Ex-Governor Lowry, of Mississippi, makes 
the statement, that the product of Mississippi mills at Wesson is sold in Boston 
in competition with goods of all grades manufactured within forty miles of Bos- 
ton. It must be remembered, too, that these mills are so situated that the}' have 
but one line of shipment and have no chance of competition in freights. This 
experience is in line with that of other mills in Georgia and Alabama. With 
such experience there is no wonder that factories in the North are hunting up 
good situations in the South where they can move their mills. 

When we read that a manufacturing establishment up North, employing, per- 
haps, one thousand hands, desires to move South, we conclude at once that the 
principal owners of the factory have investigated the matter, and the informa- 
tion obtained led to this conclusion. The time is now upon us when the cotton 
must be manufactured in or near the great cotton region, if done for profit. Al- 
ready the foothold of Southern mills is so firm that the New England mills can 
not compete with them. The Southern mills have no long stretches of freight to 
meet; they have a climate which favors the work, making it a less cost for living 
and a less cost for manufacturing. This is shown in the per cent, of profits 
which is told annually to the world, and which reveals the fact that the Southern 
mills have largely the advantage over those of the North. 

The business men of manufacturing interests up North are alive to the times, 
and are trying to keep pace with the changes that are being made. He sees that he 
can now make favorable terms with some live 3'oung Southern citj' by getting a 
bonus to remove his mill, and he seizes the opportunity, recognizing the fact that 
the day may not be far distant when such opportunities will not come. 

The moving of mills South and the building of new ones and enlarging 
others has created a demand for this kind of machinery, and this will lead to the 
moving of iron mills South, as there will doubtless be advantages held by .such 
mills because of their nearness to the cotton mills. There must be mills for the 
manufacturing of this machinery-, right near the Southern cotton mills, where it 
is wanted. The advantage that one such mill will have over those far distant 
will be so great that other factories will follow or new ones be built. Just so 
with the great machine works that are manufacturing machinery for the saw-mills 
that have so largely increased in the South during the last few years. It is evi- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 155 

dent these machine shops must come nearer the mills. Time in this fast age has 
much to do with these matters, as well as the long haul of freights. We noticed 
the arrival in our city on the 17th of April of the machinery for the new ice fac- 
tory in this city. This machinery was shipped on February 26 from New York, 
and shows the result of long distance. There is to-day not a more inviting field 
in the South for factories than in Lake Charles. 

The following timely hints are from the same source as quoted above, and 
are worthy of earnest consideration: We have mentioned the subject of a rice 
mill in a former issue, but we look upon it as so important that we again call at- 
tention to this subject. We believe there is no other city in the United States 
where a rice mill, on a large scale, would paj' as well as in the cit}' of Lake 
Charles. 

In the first place it could be built cheaper here than in almost an}' otherplace. 
We have the finest building material in the world, cheaper than in almost any other 
place. We have the finest building material in the world, cheaper than in almost 
anj' other place. Our lumber is of the best and cheapest. Our brick will bear 
^'.omparison with any brick on the continent, and can be furnished on thegronnd in 
an)' quantity as cheap as an}' place. The cost of operating a mill will be cheaper 
than in most other places, by reason of the cheapness of fuel. Our saw-mill 
men will furnish fuel free to any factor}' or mill that will operate here. 

Then, in the next place, rougli rice can be delivered here cheaper than in 
any other city where large rice mills are now in operation. It is estimated that 
Calcasieu parish will produce at least four hundred thousand barrels of rough 
rice this year, and the industry is but fairly begun. It can be delivered here for 
about eighty-five cents per barrel less than it can in New Orleans. Then the 
milled product can be shipped from here to the consumer as cheap or cheaper 
than from any other rice mills in the South. When the K. C, W. & G. Rail- 
way reaches Alexandria, which it will undoubtedly do this fall, rice can be 
-shipped from here direct to St. Louis and nearly direct to Kansas City. Then, 
in the next place, the bran and the polish would find a ready market at the mill 
to the farmers and stock men. Taking all these things into consideration, it 
looks to us as if a rice mill on a large scale — say of the capacit}' of five hundred 
barrels per day — would pay enormous profits at once. Where is the man with 
capital who is willing to engage in this enterprise? We feel sure that our citizens 
are ready to encourage this enterprise heartily, for it will be admitted by all that 
while a mill would be greatly profitable to its owners, it would at the same time 
be valuable to the city and the country. It would give us an increase of popu- 
lation and wealth. It would give us a market for our rough rice at' home. It 
would give us cheap feed. It would add to our resources in many ways, and 
benefit us for all time to come. Let us have a rice mill. 



150 socyv/ir/is'r loi7s/.ia\i .■ 

Ltmiber Mills. — These lire by far tlie most valuable industry about Lake 
Charles. Nothing is attracting more attention in the South than the famous pine 
lumber. C.ipitalistsfrom the North, and even from England, are seeking pine 
lands, and in many places are endeavoring to obtain interest in the large lumber 
mills already established, or erecting new mills. No place is more favorably 
adapted to the lumber business than Lake Charles; no place so well adapted t(» 
the handling of logs. The streams north of the town are so well distributed 
through the Calcasieu pine region that it makes it an easy and cheap way to 
place the logs in floating water. These streams come together just north of the 
town, and it is this that gives it an advantage over most places in the South, as 
an unlimited number ot cheap logs can be obtained the entire year. To give 
some idea of tlie lumber business of Lake Cliarles, it is onh- necessary- to give 
a brief svnopsis of the mills and their business. 

M. T. Jones & Co.'s mill is situated on the east bank of tlie lake, just south 
of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and has a capacity of from seventy-five thous- 
and to ninet}' thousand feet of lumber daily. The sizer and planer have a ca- 
pacit}' of from one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand feet 
daily. The mill has cut as high as one hundred and six thousand feet in one 
day. 

The Bradle3'-Ramsey Lumber Company is located on the Calcasieu River, 
about a mile north of the Southern Pacific depot. The first mill established here 
was in 1853, by Captain D. J. Goos. It was a small affair then, but with enter- 
prise and perseverance, improvements were made and new machinerj' was added 
until a number of lumber men, with confidence in the future of the Calcasieu 
pine, bought one hundred and fifty thousand acres of pine lands, and shorth- after 
purchased the Goos mill and organized the Calcasieu Lumber Compan}-. In 
1887 the present Bradley-Ramsey Company was organized. Their mill is well 
nigh perfect, and has a capacity of from sixty thousand to sev:;nt\--five thousand 
feet daily. In connection is a planer and a Axy house. 

Perkins & Miller's mill is located on the west side of the lake and was es- 
tablished in 1870. It has been greatly improved in all these years, and now has 
a capacity of from sixt}' to seventy thousand feet dai!}'. Some four hundred 
yards from the mill is the planer, which has a capacity of nearly fift_y thousand 
feet daily. One of the planers will take a piece of lumber 6 x 18 inches and 
dress the four sides by passing once through the mill. 

A great deal of this machinery is new. The mill has added in imp'rovement 
in the last thirteen months about $13,000 and are still improving. A contract 
made a few da3-s ago, to place a 40,ooo-gal!on tank fift}- feet high, for the pur- 
pose of waterworks lor the protection of the mills and lumber, has been com- 
pleted. 

In the rear of the mill is a marshy place running back some distance. Saw. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 157 

dust has been piled on tliis to a depth of perliaps eight or ten feet, and on tliis 
saw dust is a hirge himber yard with a stock on hand of from three to four mil- 
lion feet. It is claiined, and with good reasoning, that the dampness is taken 
up by the saw dust, and lumber may be piled and seasoned on this saw dust free 
from mould spots. The lumber is shipped by schooner and rail to Mexico, 
Texas, Colorado and Kansas. 

The logs used in this mill are brought from the C. & V. R. R. The firm of 
A. J. Perkins & Co., of Galveston, Texas, own a half interest in this road, and the 
firm of Perkins & Miller get one-half the logs and Lock, Moore & Co., the 
other half. The road puts into tide water over five hundred logs per day, wh.ich 
are towed by a tug boat to the booms at these mills. 

The Norris mill was established by Mr. W. B. Norris in 1866, at what is called 
Norris' Point. This is where the Calcasieu River runs into, or rather by the nonh- 
west corner of. Lake Charles. The mill when first established was small, but 
was kept steadily running until 1872, when the demand on Mr. Norris for lumber 
'became so great he tore down the little mill and erected in its stead a large, 
-double mill, running two circulars. This mill was burned in 1873, and was re- 
built the same year, from which time until Januar}^ 18S8, it run almost without 
interruption, except from an occasional repair or putting in new machinery, and 
during all this time ^^r. Norris was seldom up with his ordei's, so great was the 
demand. 

Li Januar}-, 1888, this mill burned, and almost before the ashes became cold 
the debris was cleared away, and in less than six months' time another large 
mill was erected ; in this, however, was placed a band saw and a finishing cir- 
cular saw, instead of a circular alone. The band saw is supposed to cut about 
two-thirds that of a. circular; the band saw and finisliing circidar together be- 
ing about equal to the circular saw. 

Mr. Norris was the lirst man on this river to put in a phuu'r, and the first 
and onlv one yet to put in a band saw. He put in the planer. in 1868, and has 
had tliem in constant use ever since. In the new mill is entire new machinerv 
-of the latest improvements. There are also two [ilaners and a molder, a sticker 
and a resaw. Just across the river is the Slurtevant dry kiln, just completed, 
with a capacity of one hundred thousand feet. 

Drew's mill is the propertj' of H. C. Drew, and is situated on the lake front 
in the lower part of the city. Several years ago the mill was burned, but was, 
soon rebuilt. The mill has a capacity of about thirt}' thousand feet per da^^. 
The shipments are largely by water on schooners, of which Mr. Drew is the 
owner, to ports in- Texas and Mexico. There is no switch to it from the rail- 
road, and all shipments by rail from this point are carried to Westlake, where 
the lumber is placed on cars. He runs a planer, and also near by is a shingle mill, 
with a capacity of twenty-five thousand per day, and hoop and stave factor}'. 



158 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

The Mount Hope mill is the property of W. L. Hutchings, the parish treas- 
urer, and is located on the Calcasieu River, within the corporate limits, in the 
northern part of the town. It is a good mill, with a cutting capacity of about 
forty thousand feet per day, and has a planer in operation. It has been almost 
entirely remodeled within the last twelve months. 

Besides these mentioned there are a number of others in and around Lake 
Charles and Westlake, and in the parish, most of which are in operation. 
Among these the Hampton mill, the "Waller & Greeves, Lock, Moore & Co., 
Burleson Brothers, the Hansen mill, Rj-an & Geary, etc. Some of these are 
only shingle mills, but most of them are lumber, and some of them lumber and 
shingles. It is probably no exaggeration to say that the inills of Lake Charles 
and immediate vicinity cut upon an average at least half a million feet of lumber 
daily, and shingles, well, " more than any man can number." 

Tlic Press. — The newspaper is an important factor in the development of 
any country. It can do more for good, and even for evil, if it was to turn its 
great pow'er in that direction, than an3'otherone influence that can be exercised 
in a communi:)^ 

The first newspaper published in this parish was the Calcasieu Press, founded 
in June, 1S55, ^Y ]^^8^ ^- ^- Martel and John A. Spence, of Opelousas. Mr. 
Spence was editor and publisher. It continued until about the close of the war, 
and at its discontinuance was in its si.xth volume, which shows that from its com- 
mencement to its suspension it had been issued but little more than h:ilf of the 
time. Probably this was caused by the derangement of all business matters 
during the civil war. 

The Lake Charles Echo is the oldest paper in the parish, and one of the 
ablest in this portion of the State. It was established February 16, 1868, by 
Judge J. D. Reed and Louis Leveque. Both of its founders are now dead. 
The paper was not published regularly, and only completed two volumes in three 
years. After passing through some of the vicissitudes incident to countr}' news- 
papers in country towns, and changing ownership a time or two, it was, in Feb- 
ruary, 1871, bought by Captain J. W. Bryan. He improved it in many respects 
and soon put it on a firm basis. He conducted it successfully until in March, 
1890, when he sold it to a stock company, and it is still in successful operation, 
edited by W. F. Schwing. 

The New Orleans Picayune thus "boosted" Capt. Br} an at the time he sold 
the Echo: "Great creditand much is awarded him (J. W. Br3'an) for tlie able 
manner in which he built it up and edited its columns. Lake Charles was at that 
time but a hamlet, the parish seat of the poorest parish in the State, now ranking 
among the very first in wealth and population." 

The American is a flourishing weekly paper of sixteen pages, well filled 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. lo'J 

with news, miscellany and matters of interest to the parish. November 12, 1890, 
it entered upon its sixth volume. It was established in New York City, but in 
1887, was removed to Lake Charles, and commenced its publication in this city 
in September of that year. It is devoted to tiie interests of Southwest Louisiana 
generally, and Lake Charles and Calcasieu parish particularl}', and is a stanch 
supporter of the Kansas City, Watkins & Gulf Railroad. It is published by 
the Lake Charles Publishing Company, and ably edited by Mr. Z. L. Everett, 
assisted by Rev. W. H. Kline, who attends to the gathering up of facts on the 
resources and development of the country. But for the well tilled columns of 
the American, the task of writing up Calcasieu parish for this work would have 
been a much greater labor than it has. The business department is under the 

management of Mr. Marshall, and the affable and courteous Miss Delia 

Neal attends to the clerical work of the office. Once a month the American 
publishes forty thousand copies of its paper, devoted principally to the resources 
and advantages of this section, which are sent broadcast over the countr}-, par- 
ticularly through the Nortliwest; it also publishes a patent side for a number of 
country papers. 

The Lake Charles Commercial is midway in its tenth volume. John Mc- 
Corniick is its editor and publisher, and C. M. McCormick is its genei al manager. 
It is a live and enterprising paper of four pages, seven columns to a page, and 
strongly anti-lotter}'. 

The Christian Visitor was established by Rev. G. B. Rogers, pastor of the 
Baptist Church, and conducted about a j-ear and a half, when it was consoli- 
dated with the American. 

Country Tozi'iis. — Jennings is the most important town in Calcasieu parish, 
outside of Lake Charles. It is situated on the Southein Pacific Railroad, near 
the line between Calcasieu and Acadia parishes, and is a new town compara- 
tively. In 1880 it was rated at only twenty-five inhabitants. Now it has some 
four or five hundred. Jennings stands in the midst of a fine shipping section, 
where rice is the principal crop, and the Reporter estimates that not less than 
four hundred car loads of that product alone was shipped from that point last 
year. Many Northwestern people live around the town of Jennings — in fact, 
the community is principally settled by those enterprising and pushing people, 
who have come here to enjoy the healthful climate and rich lands. The place 
has a church or two, several stores, a post-office, a newspaper, the Jennings 
Reporter, edited and published by Messrs. Cary & Son, now entered upon its 
third volume; a new and elegant school house, in which is taught for the usual 
term a graded school. To sum up, it is a live, wide-awake and enterprising busi- 
ness town. 

Welsh is a nourishing town on tlie Southern Pacific Railroad, twenty-three 



1 1!0 .9 O IJTII ]\ ^ES T L O UISIA NA : 

milfS east of Luke Chark-s, and containing at present abcait three hundred in- 
habitants, many of wliom are Western people. Tlie situation of the town is all 
that could be desired, beiny half a mile from the Lacassine, a wooded stream 
flowing south to the gulf. With the exxeption of the Lacassine it is surrounded 
by a vast expanse of prairie, reaching to the Mermentau River on the east, antl 
to the long leaf pine on the Calcasieu River on the north and west. 

The town of Welsh, surve)^ed and platted in 1884, did not begin to build up 
rapidly until July. 1887. In April, 1887, the Messrs. Jasinsky and Reever, of 
Guthrie count}', Iowa, and George D. Moore, Mitchelville, of same State, visited 
Welsh and, being captivated with its splendid location and superior surround- 
ings, purchased lands in and near town, and in Jul}' of the same year there was 
witnessed a veritable boom in the construction of several good business houses 
and residences. This town certainly^ has a bright future before it, btnng in the 
midst of a splendid agricultural country. 

The following are the shipments from this place: 13,840 barrels rough rice, 
worth here $350 per barrel; 69,840 pounds of wooI,Vorth 18 cents per pound: 
954 tons of hay, worth here about $5.50 per ton; 1520 head beef cattle, worth 
about $17.90 per head. Rice and hay are the principal farm products, though 
sugar cane, cotton, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes, oats and corn are grown, 
and it is only a question of a few years when many of these products will be 
raised for export. The Welsh Crescent, edited byH.Duggett, attends to ad\'er- 
tising the interests of the town. 

About two hundred families of Western and Northern people have settled in 
and around Welsh from almost every State in the Union from Texas to New 
York. The town was incorporated in April, 1888, and Hon. Henry Welsh elected 
lirst mayor, an honor appropriately conferred, he having been founder of the 
town. He is a gentleman known and respected throughout Soutliwestern Louisi- 
ana, his hospitable home having been for many years the principal stojiping place 
for travelers before the railroad was built. 

Welsh can boast of its location, good houses, a number of energetic public- 
spirited business men and many worthy citizens. Tiiere are at present three good 
hotels, six general stores, one restaurant, livery stable, lumber yard, drug store, 
market, barber shop, two physicians and two real estate agents. 

Vinton is situated upon the western border of Calcasieu parish some six- 
miles east of Sabine river. The traveler upon the Southern Pacific Railroad will 
note a charming belt of prairie, picturesque, deep soiled and rolling. Here 
Messrs. Horrige, Eddy and Stevinson, of Benton county, Iowa, have located the 
pretty town of Vinton, and nicely graded its broad streets. It has a position 
of commanding commercial importance, only six miles to the Sabine, navigable 
for three hundred miles, and with the bar at the mouth improved for the passage 
of ocean steamers, and nine miles southeasterly to tide water on Bayou Choupique, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 16? 

which flows into the Calcasieu river. North is avastforest of yellow pine, which 
can best be penetrated by a railroad from Vinton. C. P. Hampton has erected a 
large saw-mill at this place, and will build a railroad to his timber. This town 
presents special attraction to Northern settlers. Good lands can be purchased 
in the vicinit}' at from three to five dollars per acre. 

Sabine Station is located near the western boundary of the State. It is a 
very pretty and pleasant location, with timber and prairie interspersed. Why it 
has not a good school and church facilities, with all other necessary business 
houses, seems to be an. unanswerable question. Near by is a church house 
about thirty by forty feet, well ventilated and partially seated with very good, sub- 
stantial, homespun benches. Near half a mile east from the station, but on the rail- 
way line, is the neighborhood post-office, kept by M. Fairchilds, where is also kept 
a small stock of dry goods, groceries and many otherneeded articles. The an- 
cient village of Niblett's Bluff, of thirty or more years ago, as a landing and busi- 
ness point, is now a wreck and ruin, the Southern Pacific Railroad and its 
stations having taken away its business and its life. 

Sugartown, or the seventh ward, is about twenty-five miles square, bounded 
south b}' Barnes Creek and north by Vernon parish. It is heavily timbered with 
long leaf pine, except on the creek bottoms, which are covered with a heavy 
growtli of oak, beech, hickor}', maple, magnolia and other hard wood, suitable 
for the manufacture of furniture, wagons, farm implements, etc. Numerous 
creeks of pure, clear water, abounding in trout, cat, buffalo and other fresh 
water fish, run through this section and empty into the Calcasieu River, which 
runs south through the parish into the gulf. On these creeks lumbering business 
is carried on. The timber is cut, hauled to the banks and dumped into the- 
water, and run into the river, thence to the mills at Lake Charles, where it is 
sawed into lumber and shipped to all parts of the country. The soil is a sandy 
loam, very easy to cultivate, and on the creek bottoms very fertile. The pine 
lands are not so rich in vegetable mould, but are susceptible of a high state of 
cultivation by a very little fertilizing. The crops are corn, cotton, rice, tobacco, 
sugar cane, sorghum, peas, oats, Irish and sweet potatoes, all kinds of garden 
vegetables in perfection, and fruits of nearly every varietj'. The country is very 
level, and the finest kind of grass grows all through the pine woods, on which 
cattle get very fat during the summer, and the winters are so short and mild that 
they go through with very little feed. Sheep are more profitable to keep, from 
the fact that they get their living the year round in the woods with very little at- 
tention. Hogs get fat nearly every fall in the bottoms on the beech and oak 
mast. Lands for farming purposes can be bought at from $1.25 to $5 per acre. 
West Lake Charles is situated on the west bank of the lake. It contains 
the Perkins & Miller mill, the store of A. J. Perkins, store of W. B. Norris, and 
saloon of H. Escubas. It has a Baptist church, and a school of about thirty 
11 



164 SOUTHWEST L OUISIAXA : 

scholars. Tliere are several nice lesidences in the place, and quite a number 
of comfortable cottages. Mr. Escubas is building a very handsome hotel of 
about twenty rooms, which will be completed in the course of three or four 
weeks, and he is also building a livery stable. From the upper porch of the 
hotel maybe seen the Lake Charles College building, the Baptist church, the 
Convent, Opera Plouse, and other buildings on the east side. Mr. Escubas and 
Mr. Norris own each a square or two of land there, and there may be one or 
two others owning lots, but, with these exceptions, Mr. A. J. Perkins is the 
sole owner, and owns almo'st continuously for three miles. 

Goosport is a small village just north of the Southern Pacific Railroad at 
Lake Charles. It is situated on the Calcasieu River, and is the seat of the 
Bradley-Ramsey Saw Mill and Lumber Company, already noticed in this 
chapter. 

There are a number of other small villages in the parish, among which are 
Esterly, Iowa Cit}', Crown Point, Lakeside, Edgerly, Sulphur City, Evange- 
line, Chloe, Lacassine, Rose Bluff, Calcasieu, Lake Arthur, China, Serpent, 
Killinger, Meadow, Barnes' Luck, etc. Some of these are merely post-offices, 
kept at the house of some farmer, others are post-office and store, and some- 
times a school house. Lake Arthur begins to consider itself a town, and started 
a newspaper last year (May 22, 1890), the Lake Arthur Herald, by P. M. 
Kokanour. 

The parish of Calcasieu has a number of most beautiful little lakes, the 
principal of which are Lake Calcasieu, Lake Arthur and Lake Charles. Lake 
Calcasieu is about fifteen miles in length, and lies mostly in Calcasieu parish, 
extending to within five or si.x miles of the gulf. Lake Arthur lies in the south- 
east part of the parish, while Lake Charles is at the parish capital, and gives 
name to the town, or the town to the lake, as the case may be. As the lake is 
the older of the two places, perhaps the town w'as named for the lake, and both 
were named for old Charles Sallier, the pioneer. 

Lake Charles is a beautiful little sheet of water, and has often been com- 
pared to Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It is clear as crystal, and about three 
miles long and two miles wide. The Calcasieu River runs through the lake, and 
by the course of the river it is fifty-«ve miles to the gulf, and the stream is said 
to be from forty to one hundred feet deep, except at the Pass, and to deepen it 
Congress has appropriated $75,000. When this is accomplished the largest 
ocean steamers can ascend to Lake Charles. There is nothing to prevent the 
town of Lake Charles from becoming, as alread}' stated in these pages, a great 
business and manufacturing place, and also, a fine winter resort. The climate is 
fine in the winter season, and the lake presents a place for boat riding and for 
fishing at all seasons. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 165 

Many Things of Many Kinds. — x\n enthusiast on the future of Lake Charles 
writes thus on the glory of the town's worldly possessions: " Lake Charles has 
nine large saw-mills, three large shingle mills, an ice factor}-, machine shop and 
foundry, four ship yards, a large brick and tile factor}^ cheap building material, 
a large number of stores of general merchandise, four drug stores, one fine hard- 
ware store, energetic merchants, several carpenter shops, one agricultural imple- 
ment store, sash, door and blind factory, an artesian well, four newspapers, able 
lawyers, skilful physicians, excellent preachers, wise editors, commodious 
churches, fine schools, a handsome college building, an excellent public school 
building, a fine opera house, palatial residences, two banks, hustling real estate 
agents, wide-awake citizens, one railroad in operation — another building — sev- 
eral others contemplated, communication by water with the outside world, fine 
orange orchards, excellent vegetable gardens, rich farming lands around, cheap 
fuel, handsome women, fine looking men, and the prettiest sheet of water in the 
world." Nothing else? 

Additional to the above may be given her social, benevolent and charitable 
organizations, as follows: 

Lake Charies Lodge, No. 165, F. and A. INL, S. O. Shattuck, Master; W. 
M. Elliott, Senior Warden ; R. J. Gunn, Junior Warden, and E. H. Dees, Secre- 
tary. 

Peace Lodge, K. of P., J. E. La Besse, C. C; C. Bunker, K. of R. and 
S. ; W. A. Knapp, G. Reporter. 

Reliance Lodge, No. 3278, K. of H., W. A. Knapp, Dictator, and J. A. 
Reed, Reporter. 

Hope Council, No. 1112, A. L. of H., AL D. Kearney, Commander, and 
L. Hirscli, Secretary. 

Young Men's Christian Association, Prof. W. W. Daves, President; A. JNL 
INLayo, Secretar}-. 

Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mrs. A. M. Maj-o, President, and 
Miss Jennie Marsh, Secretary. 

Friendship Lodge, No. '26, L O. O. F., L. H. Moses, W. C. T. ; Miss 
Mary Siling, W. V. T. ; Miss Laura Siling, Recording Secretary, and Miss Ida 
Marsh, Financial Secretary 

Lake Charles Farmers' Union, No. 5S7, J. C. LeBlue, President, and D. 
H. Reese, Secretary. 

Confidence Lodge, No. 17, A. O. U. W., L. Hirsch, M. W. ; Frank Has- 
kell, Secretary. 

German Benevolent Association, Peter Platz, President; Auguste Seken- 
dorf. Secretary. 

Lake Charles Steam Fire Company, No. i, A. P. Pujo, President; L. Kauf- 
man, Vice President; M. J. Rosteet, Treasurer, and J. E. Reente, Secretary. 



166 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Young America Fire Company, No. 2, C.W. Meyer, President, and D. M. 
Foster, Secretary. 

Pelican-Babcock Hook and Ladder Company, S. O. Shattuck, President; 
E. T. George, Vice President, and W. D. Andrus, Secretarj'. 

Phoenix Hook and Ladder Compan\% Jesse Hagar, President, and Mack 
Cantin, Foreman. 

Bagdad. — Not the Bagdad rendered famous by the gilded stories of Sinbad 
the Sailor in Arabian Night's Entertainments, but the puny village that once was 
at the ferry west of Lake Charles. A ferry was established there in the olden 
time by Reese Perkins, and was an important institution. It was the great 
crossing place for cattle drovers from Texas to New Orleans with fat beeves for 
market at the latter place. Old citizens say they can remember when as many 
as 1500 and 2000 crossed there in a single day. 

The following incident is related of the place : Reese Perkins sold the 
ferry and the land around it to a man named James H. Buchanan. He allowed 
a man named Holt to lay out a town, and they would go partners in the enter- 
prise. Holt laid out his town and called it Lisbon; sold all the lots he could, 
and at any price he could get, pocketed the money and left — perhaps joined the 
American colony in Canada — leaving Mr. Buchanan with the bag to hold and 
both ends open. Even to this day claimants turn up now and then and say they 
own a lot in Lisbon, and ask to have it pointed out to them. 

The name of Lisbon was now changed to Bagdad, but still it has prospered 
little. The ferry, two or three houses, a shingle mill, is about all there is of the 
town. The American thus deals out its views, which are sound as the •' Dollars 
of the Fathers " on the subject of ferries generally: 

The ferry question is one that interests a large number of the citizens of Cal- 
casieu parish, and especially interests every one who is interested in the develop- 
ment of the city of Lake Charles. It is a well known fact that a large portion of 
the produce of the northern part of our parish, which ought to be marketed 
in Lake Charles, is hauled to Lecomte, in Rapides parish, simply because 
of the high charges made by the ferries of the parish. Because of this, 
the profits arising from the traffic in produce, and in supplying the farmers with 
their necessaries, are lost to the citizens of our parish; and, of course, the taxes 
on these profits are lost by our parish, and go to swell the revenues of Rapides. 
Then why not have free ferries, or at least cheap ferries? Why, says one, we 
can't afford it; we want to raise a revenue from the public to help pay our par- 
ish expenses. And we are sorry to say that the short-sighted and suicidal 
policy of driving trade from our parish to another, and thus ultimately diminish- 
ing our parish revenues by a much greater sum than it would require to main- 
tain free ferries at every crossing, has been adopted and carried out in the past. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 167 

In order to raise a few hundred dollars from the sale of public ferries, the 
authorities of our parish have permitted ferries to tax tiie traveling public at so 
high a rate that farmers haul their produce two or three times as far as otherwise 
necessar}', in order to avoid tlie enormous expense of ferriage. Can this parish 
afford the enormous and continuous loss of trade this involves? We think the 
people of the parish will speedily demand of their servants a radical change in 
this thing. Something must be wrong somewhere. 

A'ermilion parish has about three-fourths the population of Calcasieu, and 
the ordinary expenses of the parish would be at least three-fourths as great as 
Calcasieu. The revenue of Vermilion parish last year was a little more than 
sixteen thousand dollars for taxes. All of her bridges and ferries are free, and 
her script is worth one hu-ndred cents on the dollar. Calcasieu's revenue from 
ta.xes is over forty thousand dollars, and yet our authorities find it necessary, or 
think they do, to raise an additional revenue from the traveling public by selling 
the right to run monopoly ferries to the highest bidder, and then have not enough 
money to pay the jurors summoned to the district court. This system of 
monopoly ferries works beautifully, indeed I 

We are credibly informed that a responsible party offered to enter into bonds 
to run a ferry at a certain point in this parish, and obligate himself to cross 
wagons and teams for ten cents a round trip, each. The ferrj' was made a mo- 
nopoly, and sold to the highest bidder, and the price was limited to eighty cents 
per round trip for wagon and team. It must be a great pleasure for the poor 
farmers and log men to pay eight times as much as necessary in order to cross 
the stream. We are informed that the party above referred to is ready to enter 
into an agreement yet to give a cheap ferry. 

Now, we are not charging any one in particular with the wrong of establish- 
ing these monopolies. If it is the State law that does it, let us agitate until the 
law is changed. If it is the fault or mistake of the police jurj', let us hammer 
awa}^ until the mistake is remedied. Let the people come to the front and de 
mand justice, and they will get it. — Pcrrin. 






a\ 



■^^vj 



I 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Parish of Cameron — Boundary and Description — The Coast Marsh 
— Future Develop5ient of Cameron — Organization of the Parish 
— Legislative Act for its Creation — A Correspondent's Impres- 
sion OF THE Country and its Capabilities — Orange Culture — A 
Fruit Country Unsurpassed — What the People May Make It — 
Climate, Etc — The Medical and Legal Professions — Churches 
and Schools — A Parish Well Supplied with Moral Influences, 
Etc. 

" Time was not }'et." — Dante, 

qJ^^HE parish of Cameron as a body politic is comparatively young, it hav- 
c/HK> ing been created in 1870 from portions of Calcasieu and Vermilion 
G^^ parishes. It partakes somewhat of the nature of both — small bits of the 
Calcasieu prairies being interspersed with a good deal of the sea marshes of Ver- 
milion. It has about twelve hundred square miles, nearly three-fourths of which, 
perhaps, is sea marsh. From a pamphlet issued by the Commissioner of Immi- 
gration of Louisiana, the following extract is taken: " Cameron has not yet had 
her day. She must await the future and abide her time in patience. She will 
doubtless, at some near day, be a busy place in canning fish, oysters and shrimp. 
Her parish seat, Leesburg, is right on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the 
Calcasieu River, and it must be that in the development that awaits that country 
Cameron will be greatly benefited by a situation that now seems like isolation. 
If deep water ever comes to the mouth of the river, Leesburg will be a great 
place by reason of that alone. When the immigrant takes hold of the coast marsh 
(as he will before the next quarter of a century), with its prodigeousl}'^ fertile 
soil, then Cameron parish will come to the front. Great will be the crops of 
sugar cane, rice, sea-island cotton, oranges, vegetables, etc., while the gulf will 
afford cheap and delicious food for the agriculturist and an inexhaustible sup- 
ply for manufacturing or preserving canned goods. So the sea and the land will 
both pour out their bounteous treasures to this, thus far, disregarded parish. 
This coast marsh country ought to have more said about it than has been. The 
entire front of Louisiana is on the Gulf of Mexico. Her south boundary is 
water, and her whole lengthy from east to west is gulf coast." 

Boundaries, Etc. — The parish of Cameron is bounded on the north by 
Calcasieu parish, on the east by Vermilion parish, on the south by the Gulf of 
Mexico and on the west by the Sabine River and lake of the same name. The 



170 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

principal water courses in the parish are tlie Calcasieu and Mermentau Rivers. 
The latter flows through Grand Lake about ten miles before it falls into the 
gulf, and the former flows through Calcasieu Lake before it reaches the gulf. 
Calcasieu Lake is some fifteen miles in length and about six or seven miles wide 
in the widest place. When the Calcasieu Pass is deepened, for which $75,000 
have alread}^ been appropriated by the National Congress, and a deep channel 
cut through the lake, then the largest ocean steamers can ascend the Calcasieu 
River, which is a deep stream, to the town of Lake Charles, some fifty-five 
miles from the gulf. Grand Lake is nearl}' square, and seven or eight miles 
across each wa3^ 

The Lake Charles Echo of September 14, 1888, has the following of this 
parish : Cameron parish is just south of, and was once a part of, Calcasieu 
parish; it lies directly on the coast. Leesburg is the parish site, and contains a 
court house, jail, and one or two stores, but not a saloon in the parish. There 
is not a lawjer in the parish, and you may think there is no need of one when 
we tell you that last July was the regular Grand Jury term of the District Court, 
and the first they had had for a year, and after a careful investigation, adjourned 
without finding a true bill. 

In interviewing Mr. D.W. Donahoe, who resides on Johnson's Bayou, in 
this parish, \\e obtained some information of this section. In September, 1886, 
the same time that Sabine Pass was blotted out of existence by the storm and 
overflow, all of Johnson's Bayou was overflowed, which was the first time for a 
space of eighty years back. That portion of the bayou which lies next to Sabine 
Pass is lower than the eastern portion, and there sixty-seven lives were lost, and 
all the stock, and the principal part of the houses swept awa}'. The eastern 
portion of the bayou lost little stock and no lives. Mr. Donahoe says Johnson's 
Bavou is rebuilt and is in a flourishing condition. Their corn will average thirty 
bushels per acre, and cotton, one bale. The cotton is shipped in the seed by 
schooners, principall}' to Orange, Texas, some to Galveston. 

The country is fine for cattle and sheep. Their fattest beeves are shipped 
from tiie range in Januar}-. They have cattle giving from two to three gallons 
of milk per day, from the range alone during the winter. The winter season is 
better for milk and butter than summer. The orange trees have made remarka- 
ble growth, especially since the overflow, as that served to enrich the land. In 
January, 1886, the orange trees were killed there, as here. They will gather a 
pretty fair crop of oranges another season. 

The health was never better — in fact, was alwaj'S good. There was not a 
physician in the parish, unless there was one on the eastern border, and he was 
making his living by farming. Mr. Joseph Jones, of Grand Chenier, in the 
eastern part of the parish, says the island is about th.irty miles long and two or 
three wide, containing perhaps more tlian two hundred families. There is almost 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 171 

one continuous, unbroken farm on the island from one end to the other. They 
raise what corn is necessary, making about thirty barrels per acre, and making 
about one bale of cotton per acre. They had gathered over two hundred thou- 
sand pounds of cotton by the first week in September ; ship by schooner to Gal- 
veston. Their orange trees were injured, like other sections, but will make 
some shipments this j^ear. The trees are in flourishing condition; no bugs of 
any kind, and a handsome yield is expected another year. They also raise a 
good quality of sugar and molasses. 

It is a range for stock, and they keep fat winter and summei . This is a fine 
place for game, especially in the winter season ; ducks, brant, geese, etc. There 
is not a doctor on the island. ** 

Early Settlement. — Cameron parish is not thickly settled, owing to the vast 
area of marsh lands in the parish. The settlements are confined to the high 
lands above overflow. From Mr. E. D. Miller, of Lake Charles, a native of 
Cameron parish, however, the following of the early settlers was obtained: 

Among the first families who setded in Cameron parish were those of John 
M. Smith and Millege McCall. They settled in Grand Chenier, and were the 
only two families in that immediate section for several years. McCall was quite 
a noted man for the period. He was an old-time doctor and practised consider- 
abl}' in an old-fashioned way ; was also a justice of the peace, and the only one in 
Grand Chenier prior lo the organization of the parish. He was a good man, 
and well liked by ever3'body. Both he and Smith have been dead many j^ears. 

George W. Wakefield was one of the proverbial " Ohio men.'' He came 
from the State of Ohio, and settled in the parish in 1840, about a mile from where 
Leesburg, the parish capital, is located. He reared a large family and is still 
living but getting quite old and feeble. When he came here, he says, there was 
plenty of game, that there were more deer than cattle to be seen then on the 
range. Mr. Wakefield has a fine orange grove. 

William Doxey was from North Carolina, and came to the parish about the 
same time with Wakefield. He brought a number of negroes with him, and was 
quite an extensive sugar planter. He and Wakefield are the two oldest settlers 
now living. A son of Mr. Doxey, John A., has, it is said, the finest orange grove 
in the parish, and one of the finest in the State. Game was plenty when Mr- 
Doxey settled here, and still considerable small game is found. 

James Hall and James Root were early settlers in the west part of the parish, 
and both are long since dead. 

A man named Griflith came about 1850, and settled in the same neighbor- 
hood. 

John M. Miller was one of the first settlers in the extreme eastern part of 
the parish. He was born in Germany, but was brought by his parents to America 



172 SOUl^HWESr LOUISIANA : 

when but an infant, and they settled in St. Landry parish. Mr. Miller located in 
Cameron parish in 1847, where he died at the age of eighty-two years, and his 
wife at the age of eighty-five years. He was the father of Mr. E. D. Miller, a 
practising lawyer of Lake Charles. 

This comprises a list of what may be called old settlers, and brings the 
settlement of the parish up to about 1850, a period when people were coming in 
more rapidly. The small area of uplands or prairies attracted agriculturists, and 
the great profusion of game brought the hunter and sportsmen. Fifty j'ears or 
more ago, when the first settlers came to Cameron, there were no productive 
farms, no pleasant homes here; no churches, no school houses, with their refining 
influences, but on every hand, and far as the eye could reach, a wild waste of 
wilderness, uninhabited, save by wild beasts and an occasional band of Indian 
hunters. The population of the parish is now about three thousand souls. 

In 1870, the population had increased sufficiently to awaken in the minds of 
the people the idea of organizing themselves into a parish of their own. The 
seat of justice was too far out of reach — at Lake Charles or at Abbeville. So 
at the session of the Legislature of 1870, the following act was framed: 

Cameron Parish. — An Act for its formation, etc. 

Section i . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened, That a new parish in the 
State of Louisiana be and the same is hereby created out of the southern portion 
of Calcasieu and the southwestern portion of Vermilion, to be called and known 
by tlie name of Cameron. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That the following shall be the bound- 
aries of the parish of Cameron, viz: commencing at a point on the Sabine 
River, on the township line, dividing the townships eleven and twelve south; 
thence east on said township line to the range line, between ranges numbered 
two and three west; thence south on said range line to the Gulf of Mexico; 
thence along the coast to the mouth of the Sabine River, and thence up the 
Sabine River to the place of beginning. 

There are fifteen other sections of the act, and the entire act is printed both 
in French and English, and when the end is finally reached it is signed: 

Mortimer Carr, 

Speaker House Representatives. 
Oscar J. Dunn, 

Lieut. Governor and President 
Approved March 15, 1870. of the Senate. 

Geo. E. Brown, H. C. Warmoth, 

Secretary of State. Governor of the State of Louisiana. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 173 

The necessary officers were appointed, and the parish was set to work 
according to the laws of the commonwealth. The parish seat was established 
at the mouth of the Calcasieu River, and is called Leesburg, but it is a town in 
little else except the name. It consists of a court house, one small store, and, 
perhaps, half a dozen other buildings. The post-office name of place is Cameron, 
though, as stated, the town's name is Leesburg. The parish has no jail, and but 
one lawyer. Neither is much needed, as there is but little litigation among the 
people. What little there is, Mr. Miller, of Lake Charles, who was raised in 
the parish, is usually employed on the one side or the other. 

A writer * in the Lake Charles American thus gives his opinion of Cameron 
parish and its citizens : 

With a threefold object that of health, business, and a tour for the pur- 
pose of describing the productions, scenery and attractiveness of our parish, 
a father and his daughter left home, on horseback, last week. We traveled a 
distance of about forty-five miles along the sea coast, bordering the ridges under 
cultivation, as far to the east as Cow Island, stopping at Mr. P. V. Miller's for 
the first night, where we found, as at all other places, a hearty welcome and 
generous hospitality. Mr. Miller is engaged in both stock raising and agricul- 
ture. He and his family own about a thousand head of fine stock, more or less 
graded, and the farm includes orange groves, peach orchards, and a number of 
large pecan trees. Crops of cotton, corn and cane remarkably good. This 
gentleman is one of our oldest settlers and influential citizens. Cow Island, 
extending about twelve miles, and the ridge, averaging one-half mile wide, are 
closely settled. 

The next of our stopping places was at the Widow Valcent Miller's, whose 
farm is in a remarkably good state* of cultivation, considering that it has been 
managed and worked by the lady, assisted only b}' her two daughters. After 
this, a place some distance farther on, owned by Mr. Thos. Bosnal, where we 
admired sugar cane growing, with at least eight joints, and looking both vigorous 
and promising. This is a new enterprise. 

Leaving Cow island and homeward tending, we paid a visit to our old friend, 
Mr. Geo. Mayne, where we found an orange grove containing about two hun- 
dred and fifty trees, of which a number measured eighteen inches in circumfer- 
ence and about twenty-five feet high. A majority of the trees were bearing, 
some as many as seventy-five oranges. 

Another grove farther on, at Dr. Carter Sweeney's, looked equally as fine 
and vigorous, as we rode along. The next place was owned by Mr. J. D. 
Mc Call, our respected uncle, and who also is president of our police jury. On 
his land are about five hundred fine trees; on one, at least, three hundred of the 
desirable fruit. Adjoining, Mr. Thos. Dolan, of like flourishing property. 



174 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Next Mr. John Wetlierill, whose sloping garden in front, home, orchard and 
grove beyond, tempted us to remain. 

Passing onward, the places of Messrs. Jones and Stafford, also with fine 
orange groves. Next, the beautiful residence of Messrs. Doxey and son, where, 
as stated last year, there has been closest and skilled cultivation of the fruit trees, 
and scrutin}' of the diseases which infest orange trees and have puzzled horti- 
culturists for a long period. Mr. Andrew Doxey thinks he has discovered a pre- 
ventative against the ravages of the scale insect, and is sanguine of success in 
orange culture. This grove contains about fifteen hundred trees, some eight 
inches in diameter — probably the largest on our route. Close below is Mr. An- 
deal Miller, who has, perhaps, five hundred trees of excellent promise and varie- 
ty. Some three miles further on again, delightfully situated on the bank of the 
Mermentau River, is the now named village of '"Riverside,"' as suggested, at 
request of the inhabitants and complimentary, by your correspondent. At this 
point are three stores and several residences, post-office and shipping post. We 
were informed by the respective merchants that there were at least two hundred 
thousand dollars' worth of business transacted there during the year, including 
shipments of cotton, oranges, hides, melons, poultry, eggs, etc. About a mile 
further on is the ferry across the Mermentau, where we were taken across by 
Mr. WilHe Stafford, son of our esteemed aunt, Mrs. E. A. Stafford, who has 
been in charge of this, the principal and only ferry on the lower river, for some 
years. Remained all night, and with pleasant recuperation and rest, besides 
finding our aged grandmother, now eighty odd years of age, hale, hearty and as 
vivacious as probably she was at eighteen. On again next morning, two miles, and 
reached the home of Capt. James Welsh, where was a hearty welcome. An exten- 
sive stock owner, a flourishing farm, orange grove, and erecting a new residence. 

Rutherford Jones and others were passed in succession, the first of whom 
has availed himself of many of the latest improvements in agricultural machinery, 
and is cultivating his land with the skill of advanced knowledge. Mr. Jones, 
also, one of the most energetic and sagacious of stock raisers and farmers, 
whose genial hospitality many friends are pleased to remember and where we 
frequently visit in his family. A few miles fartlier, and reached home much im- 
proved in health and good nature. 

Your readers will perceive that all this section is prolific in cotton, corn, 
oranges, peaches, grapes, vegetables of every description, and last, though not 
least, in gigantic melons, perhaps the largest, earliest and best that can be pro- 
duced in our Southern country. It is safe to surmise that at this point, above 
Leesburg, there could be delivered, as raised within a radius of eight miles, say, 
six hundred thousand melons annually, and ready for shipment from the last of 
May on to the end of July. If they want early melons in Kansas, or as far north 
as St. Louis, let there be transportation and they will be grown. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 175 

Orange Cullnrc. — Another correspondent * of the American gives its read- 
ers the following on orange culture, which is a large and profitable business in 
Cameron parish : 

Last year you published an able and instructive article on " Orange Culture 
in Southwest Louisiana," from the pen of Hon. James Welsh, of Cameron 
parish. He wrote from thirty years' experience in growing and handling oranges 
on the gulf coast of Cameron parish, and the object of this article is not to 
differ with his views, but rather to mention some additional facts. 

Orange seed should be planted when removed from the fruit, or soon after- 
ward ; they should not be allowed to become shriveled. As Mr. Welch says, 
they should be the largest seed from the best fruit, and should be covered by 
three inches of soil. The seed bed can hardly be too highly fertilized. Mr. 
Welsh says the trees when three years old may be transplanted from the nursery . 
to the orchard. That age is perhaps the best for that purpose, yet a tree six or 
seven years old may be transplanted without injury. Victor Touchy, the veteran 
orange culturist, of Lake Charles, can transplant in January an orange tree seven 
years old, which will bloom the next month and bear fruit the same year. I 
have known him to do it, and he will guarantee to do it. 

Mr. Welsh says that sixty-four trees on one acre of land, at seven 3-earsfrom 
planting, will afford sufficient fruit for domestic purposes. I know that seven 
years from planting the seed is the generally accepted period in Southwest Louis- 
iana for an orange tree to commence bearing, yet there are numerous instances 
in Calcasieu, Vermilion, and, I have no doubt, Cameron, parishes where orange 
trees have borne well developed fruit at five years from the seed. The late Dr. 
Wm. H. Kirkman, of Lake Charles, informed me, some twelve years ago, that 
the largest orange tree he ever saw in Calcasieu parish, and which, when he first 
saw it, was bearing at least three thousand oranges, was on the left shore of 
Prien's or Little Lake, about four miles in an air line below Lake Charles; and 
that its owner, well known as a highly respectable and truthful resident of Cal- 
casieu parish, assured him that it was then only five years old from the seed; 
that the seed came up in a deserted hog pen, and the tree grew so rapidl}' and 
luxuriantly that he protected it by fence rails from his farm animals. Mj^ friend 
Desire Hebert, of Lake Arthur, which is bordered by Calcasieu and Vermilion 
parishes, tells me — and I have seen newspaper communications from Lake Ar- 
thur to the same effect — that orange trees at Lake Arthur frequently bear at five 
years from the seed. These instances prove that in an exceptionally rich soil, 
in a favorable locality, with careful culture, a man may have on one acre of land 
oranges for market as well as for domestic use at five and six years from the seed. 

I mention this because Mr. Welsh says that from sixty-four trees, on one 
acre of land, there maybe expected, at ten years, four hundred oranges per tree -, 

*George H. Wells. 



176 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

at twenty years, three thousand oranges per tree; and at thirty years, five thou- 
sand oranges per tree. His estimate was probably basedon the ordinary methods 
of orange culture on tracts of land embracing several acres devoted to that pur- 
pose. It seems evident that on exceptionally rich land, with exceptionally care- 
ful culture, largely better results may be obtained in much less time. 

Few persons except orange growers have any idea of the value of orange 
trees. About fifteen years ago a New Orleans newspaper stated that the owner 
of six hundred bearing orange trees, a few miles below New Orleans, refused an 
offer of fifty thousand dollars for them, and sold his orange crop that year for 
seven thousand dollars. Afterward that statement was verified by a gentleman 
who informed me he had visited that orange grove, and knew its owner person- 
ally. Again, few persons are aware of the great age to which orange trees will 
, continue bearing. In Friedle3''s Practical Treatise on Business, it is said that 
there is a bearing orange tree in Rome, Italy, known to be over three hundred 
years old. The orange tree has great vitality. The unprecedented freezing 
weather of two weeks' duration in the winter of 1886-87 killed to the ground all 
the orange trees in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes, yet in both parishes hun- 
dreds of trees which have since grown up from the roots of those frozen trees 
are now in bloom, and some of them bore a few oranges last year, though many 
of them have received scarcely any cultivation. 

In 1868 I was informed by a Galveston dealer that Galveston fruit dealers 
alwaj's paid much more for Calcasieu than for other oranges, because they 
were larger, more juicy, of better flavor, and better endured transportation 
and exposure in open market. At that time Calcasieu embraced all of what is 
now Cameron parish lying between the Sabine and Mermentau Rivers. In the 
winter of 1866 I gathered from trees in Lake Charles, and at the Kayough place, 
a few miles below Lake Charles, one hundred oranges, nearly all of which 
averaged fifteen inches in circumfrence. 

It is a popular idea, and Mr. Welsh holds it, that an orange grove should 
be near a wide river, lake, or other large body of water. Without expressing 
an opinion on that point, I know that orange and other fruit trees on the open 
prairie, from a half to three-quarters of a mile east of the eastern shore of Lake 
Charles, were always less affected by extremel}' cold weather than similar trees 
on the banks of Lake Charles and of the Calcasieu River ; and I have little doubt 
that, barring very hard freezes, which rarely occur in this latitude, the orange 
may be cultivated on all the highlands of the Calcasieu and Cameron prairies, 
and on all their marsh lands when reclaimed, as they will be, as far as from 
thirty to thirt\^-five miles in an air line north of the Gulf of Mexico. 

The early completion of the Kansas Cit}', Watkins & Gulf Railroad, now 
assured, will open up Northern markets for Calcasieu and Cameron oranges, 
accessible in two and three days from shipment, and will result in dotting the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 177 

Calcasieu and Cameron prairies with orange groves. Purchasers, as generallj- 
heretofore, will buy the crop on the trees, months before it ripens, and the 
grove owners will save the time, labor and expense of gathering and marketing 
the fruit. I am. confident the next ten years will witness wonderful progress 
in orange culture in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. 

The cultivation of fruits in Cameron is one of its great industries, and per- 
haps always will be. When the marsh lands are reclaimed, then it will become 
also a great rice-growing region. But it will always be a fruit country. When 
its marsh lands are reclaimed, and brought into market; when their great fer- 
tility and healthfulness are made known to the outside world, then will the tide 
of immigration be turned hitherward, and the countr}' become thickly settled. 
Pertinent to these predictions, a great writer, with vast and varied experience in 
settling the Western country — and the same applies as well to Southwest Louis- 
iana — has said : 

Whenever a new country comes into notice and available occupancy, there 
is always a rush of people made up of three classes. Among the first to start 
are many uneasy, visionary people, Micawber's progeny, who instead of sitting 
still waiting for something to turn up, keep on the move, expecting to find, 
somewhere, something already turned up, fully fitted for their easy and com- 
fortable occupancy. These people take one superficial look at any new country, 
and turn right about homeward, or start for some other just heard-of region, to 
be in like manner disappointed. There were many thousands of such among 
the early visitors to the rich but then undeveloped prairies of Illinois and Iowa. 
These are the croakers who return from every new country and ventilate their 
own inefficiency and lack of pluck in the newspapers. 

A second numerous class is made up of hard working, industrious persons, 
anxious to improve their own condition and that of their families; but from lack 
of economy, skill or judgment, they will be "ne'er-do-wells" anywhere. They 
stay here awhile, there awhile, but keep on the move, seldom remaining long in 
any place. There were many of these among the first comers in all the best 
States west of the AUeghanies. Large numbers of both the above classes were 
waiting on the borders of Oklahoma, and in many other newly developing re- 
gions when about to be opened. The whole Western countrj^ was overrun by 
them when the free Homestead Act went into operation ; they are mostl}^ worthy 
people ; the trouble is in their inherited make-up. 

The genuine pioneers forming the third class have not only ambition, enter- 
prise, skill and economy, but faith and persistence. When such people came 
to Illinois, for example, and found blank prairies, a tough sod to be broken, 
fuel scarce, supply points only to be reached by days of pilgrimage over soft 
roads, no markets for their products, everything forbidding except what faith 
saw underground, they buckled down to work, undismaj'ed b}- an}- difficulties 



178 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

or deprivations, resolved to "turn up something" wherever they chanced to 
locate. Tliese or their children are largely the present occupants of the grand 
farming regions of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Min- 
nesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota. They are thickly scattered 
in all the States and Territories westward to the Pacific. There is plenty of 
room yet for scores of millions of this class, despite all the evil reports constantly 
coming back from the class of pioneers first above described. 

There are on this continent no natural Arcadias — no places were the pioneer 
will not find many sacrifices and deprivations, and much hard work to be done. 
There are few places where persistent effort and stick-to-it-iveness will not 
succeed, if combined with a reasonable amount of what may be called "calcula- 
tion." There is no place where the earlier settlers will not meet with many 
disappointments in the first years, with bad seasons, droughts and prolonged 
storms, poor crops alternating with the good ones, or with swarms of destructive 
insects, etc. It was so in Eastern Kansas and Nebraska, now fertile garden 
farms; it was so even in Illinois and Iowa; it was so, and still is partly so, in 
Minnesota and Dakota, in Montana, and in all the region westward. Noplaces 
will ever be found perfect. But those who stick their stakes deeply down 
almost anywhere, except in actual natural deserts, and keep at it, will in the end 
be victors. ^ 

Tlie completion of the Kansas Cit}^ Watkins & Gulf Railroad will, doubt- 
less, have a great effect on the development of Cameron parish. Mr. J. B. 
Watkins, who is building the road, has bc*ight, it is said, most of the marsh 
lands, and when his road is completed, will then turn his attention to developing 
and bringing them into market. Mr. Watkins is doing a great work for this 
particular section of the country, as well as for all Southwest Louisiana, and 
should be supported and assisted by the people in his work. 

Upon the advantages, climate and capabilities of this wonderful countr}', 
an enthusiast on the subject thus sings its praises: "Where have we the most 
even climate and the cheapest protection against extremes? I answer, confi- 
dently, the coast line of the Gulf of Mexico. One season merges almost imper- 
ceptibly into another; extreme heat and cold, about seventy degrees, and climatic 
changes very gradual, about twenty degrees, covers the changes of the twenty- 
four hours, and five to ten degrees from month to month. Corn can be planted 
from February to July, and gardens made from January to November, and fuel 
and lumber at nominal prices; wool and cotton at lowest price, stock of all 
kinds roam over the prairies at will, and are never fed by the hand of man. 

"The cereals here require the same labor as further north, but at a more sea- 
sonable time. Fall sown crops mature and are harvested in May, while sugar, 
cotton, hay and rice are harvested from August to Januarj*. There is Httle to do 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



179 



during the heated term. And for fruits, delicious fruits, luxuries of Hfe, neces- 
sities of health, solace of our leisure hours. Where are our orchards to-day? 
Follow the coast line and you will see nearly all. The peach king of the world, 
Parnell, of Georgia; and for pears, Thomasville, of same State; for tropical and 
semi-tropical fruits the coast line alone, while figs, apricots, prunes, olives, 
grapes, pomegranates and berries are in abundance. Go to the coast for fish, 
oysters, game, sugar, rice, cotton, corn, tobacco and textile fabrics. Walnuts, 
pecans, almonds and most nut bearing trees. It's eminently a tree bearing 
country — a prairie only by accident." 

The professions in Cameron parish have but a brief history Physicians 
do not like to stay long in the parish; the people are too much scattered, and it 
requires too much riding, and that over a marsh country to visit them. Besides, 
the population is sparse and the climate extremely healthy, or as a gentleman 
expressed it — "The country is distressingly healthful." At present there are 
two practising physicians in the parish, and only one lawyer. 

The religious and educational facilities of the parish are excellent. There 
are four churches. One Catholic church; the Methodist Episcopal church. 
South, has buildings, and the Baptist church has one. These are all sup- 
plied with ministers and regular services are held in them. 

There are ten public school houses in the parish, and schools are taught for 
the usual length of time each year. There are several schools carried on in 
private buildings each year, in addition to the public schools. — Perrin. 




12 



CHAPTER Vil. 

Lafayi^tte Parish — General Description— Darby's Opinion — Geology 
AND Soils — Beau Basin — The Cote Gelee Hills — Products, Etc. — 
Stock Raising — Health of the Parish — Early Settlement — The 
MouTONS — Other Pioneers — A Character — An Incident — Lafay- 
ette Parish Created — Characteristics — Lafayette vs. Vermil- 
lONviLLE — The Acadians — Railroads — Schools, Etc. — Bench and 
Bar — District and Parish'Judges — Present Bar — Medical Profes- 
sion — Board of Health — War Record — The Town of Lafayette 
— Railroad Shipments — Carencro — Other Towns — Queue Tortus 
Section — General Summary, Etc. 



JT^/OAFAYETTE PARISH, the smallest of what are known as the Attakapas 
($f parishes, in Southwest Louisiana, lies just north of the thirtietli degree of 
c/ latitude and on the fifteenth meridian of longitude west from Washing- 
ton — its southern boundary being within thirty miles of the Gulf of Mexico. 
It measures twenty-four miles at it widest by sixteen miles at its narrowest limits 
and has an area of tliree hundred square miles. The entire surface of the parish, 
excluding the forest growth along its streams, is prairie; and except where it is 
under cultivation is covered with a rich, luxuriant and highly nutritious grass 
that affords abundant food for the hundreds of cattle, sheep and horses that feed 
upon it the year round. The prairies are everywhere beautifully interepersed 
with large, round ponds, or natural pools of clear, wholesome water, that furnish 
an unfailing supply for stock at all seasons. 

The homes of the inhabitants are marked bj- beautiful groves or "islands" 
of shade and ornamental trees of se\'eral acres in extent, that furnish shade and 
firewood to the owners, and give to the prairie a mottled appearance that is 
exceedingly picturesque and attractive. The Vermilion River, a stream navi- 
gable for steamboats the year round, running north and south, divides the 
parish into two nearly equal parts, while the railroad from New Orleans to 
Houston, Texas, running from east to west, makes a second or subdivision, thus 
rendering ready and convenient transportation to every section of the parish. 
East of the Vermilion River and along Morgan's Louisiana & Texas Railroad 
the surface of the country is quite rolling, often culminating in hills of consider- 
able size, which are locally known as "Cote Gelee" hills; southward the surface 



182 SOUTHWEST L OVJSIANA 

gradually undulates into the broad level prairies that extend to the gulf. The 
greater portion of these hills is devoted to agriculture and is exceedingly 
productive, while the level lands, though no less fertile, are used principally 
for stock raising. Immediately west of the Vermilion River and along Mor- 
gan's Railroad to Opelousas and northward, lies a section of country 
which, for picturesque beauty, magnificent scenery and exhaustless fer- 
tility, is perhaps not surpassed by any other section of equal extent, either in 
this or in any other State. This is known as "Beau Basin," and embraces an 
area of a score or more square miles of as desirable lands as ever Providence 
provided for the pleasure and profit of man. The surface is high and beauti- 
fully undulating, merging by gentle gradation westward into the vast level 
prairies that reach far beyond the limits of the parish. South of the Louisiana 
Western Railroad and west of the Vermilion River, to the Queue Tortue Bayou, 
the western boundary of the parish, lie the great pasture lands of the parish; 
nearly level, and covered at all seasons of the year with a luxuriant grass that 
seems as exhaustless as it is nutritious. This section offers inducements to men 
of moderate means for profitable stock raising not equaled by any other por- 
tion of the State.* 

Mr. Darby, in his historj' of Louisiana, written in 1S17, has this to say of 
the Vermilion River and the lands through which it flows: 

" The two vast prairies, known by the names of the Opelousas and Attaka- 
pas, extend themselves on each side of the Vermilion, through its whole traverse, 
from its entrance into Attakapas to its egress into the Gulf of Mexico, the dis- 
tance of one hundred miles. Wood is much more abundant on the Vermilion 
than along the west bank of the Teche, and though the soil may be inferior in 
fertility, it is, nevertheless, excellent, and the quantity greater on an equal extent 
of river. There are at least eighty miles of the banks of the Vermilion, which 
have an e.xtension backward two miles, which afford three hundred and twenty 
superficial miles, or two hundred and four thousand and eight hundred acres. 

"Some of the most beautiful settlements yet made in Attakapas are upon 
this river. From the diversity in soil and elevation there is no risk in giving 
the preference in beauty of appearance to the banks of the Vermilion over any 
other river in Louisiana south of Bayou Boeuf . If situations favorable to health, 
united to the most agreeable prospects, which are bounded by the horizon, 
should be sought after; were taste to select sites for buildings, its research would 
here be requited, and be gratified by the breezes which come direct from the 
Gulf of Mexico. Fancy itself could not form a more delightful range than the 
Carencro and Cote Gelee settlements. On leaving the dead level of the Teche, 

• Lafayette Advertiser. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 183 

or the almost flat extension of the Opelousas prairie, the eye is perfectly en- 
chanted. 

" If a bold extent of view can give vigor to the imagination; if the increase 
of the power of the intellect bear any proportion to the sweep of the eye, upon 
one of those eminences ought a seat of learning to be established. There the 
youthful valetudinarian of the North wouJd, in the warm, soft, and vivifying air 
of the South, find his health restored and his soul enlarged. Astonishing as it 
may sound to many, I do not hesitate to pronounce this, together with the range 
of hills from Opelousas, rs the most healthy and agreeable near the alluvial 
lands of Louisiana." 

About one-eighth of the surface of Lafaj^ette is swamp and timbered land; 
the balance is prairie and is highly productive. Fields which have been in 
cultivation for more than seventy years, principally in cotton and corn, are still 
fertile. The geological description of the soil in Lafayette parish is that it is 
light, loamy, mixed with sand. It is generally about twelve inches deep. It 
rests on a cla\' subsoil, which is rich in plant food, like all the other parishes in 
Southwest Louisiana. The fertile properties of the subsoil are only developed 
by exposure to the sun and mixing with surface soil. By ploughing in a crop 
of pease occasionally, the richness of this soil would be perpetual. Two 
"Creole ponies" (small native horses) are sufficient to "break up" the lands 
and one will do the subsequent cultivation. Indeed this is the general custom 
among the farmers, the team meanwhile subsisting almost entirely on the native 
grasses. The lands do not "wash," as is so often the case in other localities, 
' thus rendering them susceptible of unlimited improvement. Some idea may be 
formed of the -permanence of the soil when it is stated that many farms in this 
parish have been in cultivation for twenty-five or thirty years consecutively — 
some even for fifty years — without rest, rotation or recuperation, and are yet 
yielding remunerative crops. While this system of cultivation is greatly to be 
deprecated, the statement serves to convey an idea of the intrinsic value of the 
lands if put under a judicious system of cultivation. 

Beau Basin. — This place, called by the earlj^ Acadian settlers " Pritty 
Basin," is a beautiful spot, where a stream forms nearly a circle, surrounded by 
hills covered with luxuriant vegetation, and the whole studded with magnificent 
live-oaks. Says the late Mr. Dennett in his book: " It is twelve miles from 
Vermilionville (Lafayette), to the Carencro crossing, and about four miles from 
the road to the eastern boundary of the parish. The lands near Vermilionville 
are nearly level, but produce well. A few miles north, between the roads and 
the bayous, the surface becomes beautifully rolling. 

"The gentle slopes and long, tortuous ravines maybe ranked with the 



184 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

most beautiful landscape scenery in Attakapas. Here we find some of the 
pleasantest building sites in this enchanting country. The swells are like the 
heaving bosom of the ocean after a storm. Descending into the ravines, one 
feels as though he was in a trough of the sea, soon to rise up again on the 
mountain wave and look out on the green ocean. The cottages of the farmers 
are many of them neat and comfortable. The green pastures, fat cattle and 
fine fields of cotton and corn, in their proper season, indicate a rich soil and a 
prosperous population. Shade trees and clumps of timber add greatly to the 
beauty of the scenery. The fields are generally enclosed with nice fencing of cy- 
press and the lands were formerly pretty well ditched. The country is airy and 
pleasant and it is extremely healthful, as will be shown further on." 

The Cote Gelee hills form a rather picturesque spot in this parish. They 
form a section about twelve miles across, lying on the road from Vermilionville to 
New Iberia and between the Bayou Tortue and Vermilion River. The soil is rich 
and productive, the country beautifully rolling and undulating, with deeper ravines 
and higher swells than in Beau Basin. The farmers are thrifty. Pretty dwell- 
ing houses are seen in every direction, almost hidden in groves of lelima trees, 
and many of the landscape views are beautiful. The country is open, airy and 
healthful. It is admirably drained ; the soil is rich and mixed with enough sand 
and vegetable loam to make it easy of cultivation. No portion of the South en- 
joys better health than this immediate section. 

The Cote Gelee hills received their name from the following circumstance: 
Cote Gelee, in English, means frozen, and it is related that the neighborhood 
took that name from the scarcity of timber growing there when first known to 
the whites, and in consequence of which the early settlers sometimes suffered 
with cold. Hence, Cote Gelee, or Frozen Hills. 

Products of the Parish. — On the subject of the products of this parish the 
Lafayette Advertiser descants as follows: 

The staple products of the soil are cotton, corn, cane and rice, while pota- 
toes, peas, pumpkins, melons, etc., are produced in greatest abundance. Vege- 
tables of all kinds grow remarkably well and of enormous size. Indeed, a very 
profitable business could be established almost anywhere along the lines of rail- 
roads through this parish in raising vegetables for the New Orleans and Houston 
markets. Irish potatoes especially could be thus raised most profitably, as they 
are grown here in the greatest perfection, making two full crops annually, and 
are not subject to any known disaster. 

Owing to indifferent cultivation the average yield of cotton is not more 
than half a bale to the acre, but there is no reason why twice that amount 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. \%b 

should not be raised on every acre planted — some farmers making even more 
than that amount in propitious seasons. The average production of corn can 
safely be put down at twenty bushels to the acre, while many planters double 
this quantity annually. 

This is the proper latitude for cane, and but for the scarcity of fuel, away 
from the water courses, would be the leading staple product of the soil. Cane is 
as easily cultivated as Indian corn, but owing to this scarcity of fuel, its cultiva- 
tion, to the present time, has been confined mostly to lands adjacent to timber; 
though many farmers raise enough to make their sugar and syrup for family use> 
after deducting one-half as toll for its manufacture. Since the advent of rail- 
roads, however, it is fair to presume that central mills will be erected soon by 
capitalists in different sections of the parish, for the manufacture of sugar on 
equitable terms to small farmers, and thereby in a few years develop this, the 
most remunerative crop grown on our soil. One and a half hogsheads of sugar 
per acre is considered an average yield. 

Owing to the enormous cost of machinery for preparing rice for market 
it has not been cultivated heretofore for exportation. An abundance is raised- 
for home consumption without the labor of cultivation, the practice being with 
a small ditch to drain any convenient j^pnd that happens to be within one's 
enclosure, plough, sow the seed, and close the drain to retain subsequent rains 
and gather what is needed for family use at harvest time. In this simple and inex- 
pensive way every farmer's table is abundantly supplied with as good and 
wholesome rice as can be found in the markets of the world. A first class rice 
mill located at the parish site would stimulate this industry into marvelous pro- 
portions, and at the same time prove a safe and lucrative investment to the 
capital thus invested. Twenty-five bushels of rough rice per acre might be 
relied on as an average yield. It is confidentl}' predicted that this branch of 
agriculture will in the near future become a source of immense revenue to the 
parish. 

The following is given as the crop raised by a single white man in Lafay- 
ette parish in one year: "He cultivated fourteen arpents and made eight and 
a half bales of cotton and 450 bushels of corn. He paid but $17 for help 
during the season. Two negroes on the same plantation the same year made 
five bales of cotton apiece and about 300 bushels of corn apiece. Francis. 
Como made nine bales of cotton and plenty of corn for all domestic purposes, 
and almost entirel}- without help. Three men cultivated eighty arpents of land, 
with four Creole mules and two Creole ponies. Nearly half of the field labor 
of the parish is now performed by white men. Before the war about seven- 
eighths was performed by slaves. The best yield of corn per acre is about sixty 
bushels ; of sweet potatoes, about 300 bushels." 



186 SO UTH WEST L O UISIANA : 

Upon stock, raising in the parish, the Advertiser has this to say: 

Thus far in the history of the parish, stock raising has been more certain, 
satisfactory and profitable than any other pursuit — cattle and horses being the 
principal stock raised for market. These are raised with little risk and no 
expense to owners, save the labor of branding and marking — being kept the 
year round on native grasses upon open lands, without a dollar's expense for 
feeding or pasturage. Nearly every farmer owns a herd of cattle, that furnish 
him not only milk and meat, for family use, but quite a revenue also, in the 
annual sales of calves and yearlings, which bring good prices on the prairies, 
for the New Orleans market. 

Good and durable horses are raised without expense or trouble in the same 
way. These horses, though small and inferior, are, nevertheless, very hard 
and durable — serving all the purposes of the farm — and can be bouglit in any 
numbers at very moderate prices. 

Hogs also thrive well here, but, owing to the difficulty of curing and saving 
^acon, little attention is paid to them, further than keeping enough to furnish 
lard, and, occasionally, fresh pork for home consumption. 

Sheep husbandry is still in its infancy; though enough has already been 
done to take the business out of the domain of experiment and place it safely 
upon the basis of an established industr}'; and is already paying the few thus 
engaged in it handsome and remunerative returns. 

A judicious system of crossing imported stock on the native breeds of all 
kinds would add greatly to the wealth of this business. Unfortunately, how- 
ever, little attention has been bestowed in this direction heretofore by owners, and 
the stock of the country, in consequence, is much inferior in grade to what the 
natural advantages and conditions justify. 

The market price of stock cattle, in herds, is about ten dollars per head, 
including calves under one year old, not counted. Cows with calves can be 
really bought for fifteen dollars to twenty dollars, according to quality — the latter 
figure being the ruling price for choice animals. Beeves sell for twelve dollars 
to twenty dollars. Work oxen, well broken to field or road, demand forty dol- 
lars to fifty dollars per yoke. 

Stock horses, in droves, can be had for eight dollars to twelve dollars. 
Well broke horses sell for twenty dollars to fifty dollars — while a few that are 
choice for the saddle or harness command a higher figure. 

Hogs have little market value, being plentiful and cheap. 

Sheep can be bought at one dollar and a half to two dollars and a half per 
head, in sufficient numbers to begin the business on a small scale — not being 
many for sale. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 187 

Before closing this subject, it might serve to demonstrate the profitableness 
of stock raising, to give a simple illustration of what is being done here con- 
stantly by stockmen : A good brood cow is bought for twelve dollars to fifteen 
dollars, which yields almost certainly a calf annually. This calf, at six or eight 
months old, brings just as certainly five dollars to eight dollars on the prairie, 
without one dollar of expense. 

These prices are based on actual sales made throughout the parish and may 
be verified at any time by those seeking investment. 

The good health of Lafayette parish is shown in stock as well as in the peo- 
ple. Horses, cattle, mules, hogs, etc., are generally healthy; no blind staggers, 
murrain or hog cholera. Bees thrive well in the parish. The China and Catalpa 
trees grow rapidly, make fine shade trees and excellent firewood from the yearly 
trimmings of the China groves. Close pruning does not injure these trees. 
Limbs grow out ten feet long and as large as a man's arm in a single year. They 
are easily propagated from seed. 

The healthfulness of this section is no matter of wonder when we come to 
consider the wonderful climate, which is here exceedingly temperate, the ther- 
mometer rarely going below freezing in winter, and snow is seldom seen. The 
evidence of the mildness of our winters is the fact that cattle which run at large 
over the prairies, unfed and unprotected, remain fat and marketable all winter. 
In summer the thermometer seldom goes above ninety degrees, and the heat is 
always tempered by the cool, refreshing breezes from the gulf, rendering the 
climate altogether free from that sultriness so much complained of in other local- 
ities, even of the same latitude. The nights here in summer are truly delightful, 
being always cool and invigorating and requiring a light covering for the sleeper's 
comfort. This is a wonderful as well as agreeable surprise to those accustomed 
to spending their summers in the interior. 

Early Settlements. — The first settlers in what is now Lafayette parish were 
Acadians, and came with the first influx of those people from Nova Scotia to 
Louisiana. An historical sketch is given of the Acadians in a preceding chapter 
of this work, and to it the reader is referred. With the ancient Acadians were 
mingled a few immigrants direct from France. The first white settlers here lo- 
cated in the Carencro district, and in the Cote Gelee Hills, along the Vermilion 
River. As early as 1770 Andrew Martin took up land in what is now the third 
ward of this parish, though he had been in the country several years before. 
There is not much doubt but that he was the first white man in this immediate 
section. He was a strange compound of white man by birth and Indian by 
adoption, so far as living among them and of hiring them to herd his cattle. He 
was an exile from his native Acadia. He hunted in the Indian chase, talked in 



188 



SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 



their dialect, and when they attempted too much familiarity he slew them, and 
his good wife was as brave a man as himself, as the following incident will 
show : 

Mr. Martin was a large stock raiser, his flocks covering thousands of acres 
of the prairie lands, and he often hired Indians to herd them. Once when he 
was sick in bed, attended by his good wife, an Indian came to his cabin and 
asked for "Tafia," meaning whiskey. Mrs. Martin refused to let him have it, 
but he swore by the "graves of his fathers" that he would have Tafia or he would 
kill the sick man, and, drawing a large, ugly-looking knife, made at him. But 
the "pale faced squaw" was equal to the occasion. She seized, from the mortar 
standing near, the heavy pestle used to crack the corn for their coarse bread, 
and struck the savage a terrific blow, which 'crushed his skull, killing him on 

the spot. 

Mr. Martin has left many descendants in the parish where he lived out a 
long fife, who are among the most respectable people. Hon. M. C. Martin, who 
has been a member of the Legislature several terms, and also the present clerk 
of the court, are descendants of the old pioneer. 

John and Marin Mouton settled in Carencro district during the decade, per- 
haps, of 1760. They were the sons of Salvator Mouton, an exiled Acadian, 
who settled, it is thought, in Pointe Coupee parish, about 1737. John Mouton 
had been trading with the Indians and was greatly beliked by them, as he always, 
dealt fairly. He wore a homespun Cafuchon (cap) made of wool, of a yellow 
color and knit by hand. His brother wore a chapeau (hat), and his descend- 
ants to this day are called " Chapeaux Moutons." 

John Mouton wag a remarkable man in many respects, large of stature, 
good-natured, never got angry, and treated everybody well. He was iUiterate, 
but not ignorant, but of a very philosophical turn of mind, never allowed any- 
thing to disturb his social or mental equilibrium. It is said he never whipped a 
" nicfger" in his life, something that could be said, perhaps, of few of his con- 
temporaries, though he owned many slaves. He used to buy all the negroes 
that ran away from their owners and took refuge in the swamps. As soon as 
they learned he had bought them they immediately would come out to him. 
When the parish was organized he donated land for various purposes, both pub- 
lic and private. He left a large family, and among them are many of the sub- 
stantial and professional men of the country. 

The Babineaux were also early settlers in Carencro district. The Breaux 
settled near where Lafayette stands. The Thibodeaux settled in the Frozen 
Hills, also Gaurhept Broussard dit BeausoHel. He attained the appellation of 
" Beausoliel" on account of his smiling face and tlie genial expression with 
which he met everybody. He was commissioned Captain Commandant of the 
Attakapas district in 1765. Following is a copy of his original commission: 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



189 



COMMISSION DE CAPITAINE COMMAN- 
DANT DE MILICE POUR LE NOMME 
GAURHEPT BROUSSARD, DIT 
BEAUSOLEIL. 

Charles Philipe Aiibry, Chevalier de L'ordre 
Royale et Militaire de St. Louis, Comman- 
dant pour le Roy de la Province de la Lou- 
isiane. 

Attendu les preuves de valeur, de fidelite et 
d'attachement pour le service du Roy que le 
nomme Gaurhept Broussard, dit Beau Soleil, 
Acadien, a donne dans differentes occasions, 
et les t^moignages honorahles que Mr. le 
Marquis de Vaudreuil, et autres gouverneurs- 
generaux du Canada luy ont accorde en consi- 
deration de ses blessures, et de son courage 
dont il a donn6 des preuves autentiques dans 
differentes affaires centre les ennemis de sa 
majeste. Nous I'etablissons Capitaine de Mi- 
lice et Commandant des Acadiens qui sont 
venu avec lui d'Angleterre et qui vont s'etablir 
sur la terre des Acutapas, ne doutant point qu'il 
ne se corrporte toujours avec le meme z&le, et 
la meme fidelity pour le service du Roy, et etant 
persuade qu'il montrera toujours il ses compa- 
triotes le bon exemple pour la sagesse, la vertu, 
la religion, et I'attachement pour son prince. 
Enjoignons aux susdits habitants Acadiens de 
luy obeir, et entendre S, tout ce qu'il leurs com- 
mandera pour le service du Roy sous peine de 
desobeissance. 

Mandons aux officiers des troupes entretenus 
en cette province de faire reconnaitre le dit 
Gaurhept Broussard, dit Beau Soleil, en la dite 
qualite de Capitaine Commandant des Acadiens 
qui vont s'etablir aux Acutapas de tous ceux 
et ainsy qu'il appartiendra. En foy de quoy 
nous avons signe ces presentes et a celle fait 
opposer le sceau de nos armes et contresigne 
par notre secretaire, 3, la Nouvelle-Orl^ans en 
notre hotel, le S avril, 1765. 

[S'gne] AUBRY. , ,— -— v , 

Consignee par J Sceau \ 

MONSEIGNEUR JoUKIE. ^ > r~^ ' 

Copii far y. O. Broussard. 



COMMISSION OF CAPTAIN COMMAND- 
ANT OF MILITIA FOR THE HERE 
NAMED GAURHEPT BROUSSARD 
SURNAMED BEAU SOLEIL. 
Charles Philipe Aubry, Knight of the Royal 
and Military Order of St. Louis, Command- 
ant for the King of the Province of Louis- 
iana: 

In view of the proofs of valor, fidelity and 
attachment in the service of the King which 
the herein named Gaurhept Brous»ard, sur- 
named Beau Soleil, Acadian, has given on dif- 
ferent occasions, and of the honorable testi- 
monials which the Marquis of Vaudreuil and 
other Governors General of Canada, have ac- 
corded him in consideration of his wounds 
and of the courage which he has given proof of 
in different affairs against the enemies of his 
Majesty. We appoint him Captain of Militia 
and Commandant of the Acadians, who have 
come with him trom England to settle on the 
land of the Acutapas; having no doubt that 
he will always comport himself with the same 
zeal, and the same fidelity, in the service of the 
King; and being persuaded that he will always 
show his fellow countrymen a good example 
in wisdom, virtue and religion, and attachment 
for his Prince. We enjoin on the herein men- 
tioned Acadian inhabitants to obey him, and 
lend an ear to all which he will command them 
in the service of the King, under penalty of 
disobedience. 

We direct the officers of the troops kept in 
this Province to have the said Gaurhept Brous- 
sard, surnamed Beau Soleil, recognized in 
designated capacity of Captain Commandant 
of the Acadians, who are going to establish 
themselves among the Acutapas, and of all 
those as of right shall appertain. In faith of 
which we have signed these presents, and to 
them have affixed the seal of our arms, and our 
secretary has countersigned the same in New 
Orleans, at our hotel, April S, 176V 

[Signed] AUBRY. , ,— ^— v , 

Countersigned by ; seal. \ 

MONSEIGNEUR JOUKIE. "■ ' . ' ' 

Copied by y. O. Broussard. 



Commandant Broussard was the progenitor of the Broussard family in South- 
west Louisiana. He has left a large representation of descendants to perpetuate 
his name. 



1 90 SOUTHWEST L O UlSIANA : 

A Chm'acter. — About this time came to the settlement one Leon Latiolais, 
who became a large stock raiser. He familiarized himself with the country, 
and it was said lie knew ever\' acre of land between here and New Orleans, as 
most men knew the ground in their dooryards. He was a strange character. 
Could trace his course over the prairies by the stars, or through the forests by 
the bark of the trees, with as perfect and unerring accuracy as the mariner fol- 
lows his compass over the trackless ocean. 

He was shrewd, active, alert, and rich in animal life and vigor, with most 
of his natural faculties cultivated almost to the perfection of the smell of the 
Siberian bloodhound. He served in the war of 1812, and at the battle of New 
Orleans General Jackson wanted a man acquainted with the country to carry an 
important message (written) to one of his officers across the tangled swamp. 
His comrades recommended Latiolais to the general and the latter sent for him. 
Jackson scrutinized him from head to foot, and asked: "Can you carry it?" 
"Yes," answered Latiolais. Said Jackson: "If the enemy catch you will 
you give them the message?" "If they get it," said Latiolais, " they will 
have to take it out of my belly," meaning that he would eat it before he 
would let them have it. He was entrusted with it and delivered it safely to the 
officer. 

The following incident of Latiolais is related by an old citizen. On one of 
his trips to New Orleans Latiolais was accompanied by a Frenchman of noble 
blood but of very dark skin. A merchant with whom Latiolais had some, deal- 
ings asked him where he got that handsome mulatto. Latiolais, seeing a good 
chance for a practical joke, answered that he had raised him from a boy, but, 

said he, " the cuss thinks I am his father, and has got so saucy I would like 

to get rid of him." "What will you take for him?" asked the merchant. 
" Eight hundred dollars," was the reply. " I will give it," said the merchant. 
The money was paid over, and, cautioning the merchant not to say anything to 
the "nigger" until next morning, he went away presumably to attend to some 
business. That night Latiolais left for home. The next morning the merchant, 
armed with a policeman, went to the Frenchman's " tavern " and knocked at 
his door. Surprised at being aroused at so early an hour, he got up and ad- 
mitted his visitors, when the merchant ordered him peremptorily to dress. The 
Frenchman demanded wherefore he should dress, and the merchant told him he 
was his (the merchant's) property, as he had bought him from Latiolais and paid 
for him. The Frenchman sent for Latiolais, but only to find he was gone. It 
was several days before the Frenchman found a voucher who could satisfactorily 
identify him. As soon as he was liberated he set out for Lafayette with blood 
in his eye, determined to kill Latiolais. He arrived in a great rage and proceeded 
at once to Latiolais' cabin with a small park of artillery, but Latiolais peeped out 
through a crack and laughed at the titled son of a nobleman, armed^as he was, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 191 

until he laughed him into a good humor. He then invited him into his cabin 
and they both partook of a bountiful breakfast together. 

Other settlers came in soon after from France, and after the transfer of 
Louisiana to the United States a number of American settlers located. After 
the battle of New Orleans, in 1815, settlers from the States came in and settle- 
ments rapidly increased. 

Characteristics. — The general history of the parish has been peaceable and 
moral in a high degree. But back before the war, along in the fifties, a lot of 
lawless characters banded together and depredated upon the people until patience 
ceased to be a virtue, and the law-abiding men formed themselves into a vigi- 
lance committee for the purpose of ridding themselves of the bandits. The 
people organized under Gov. Mouton and otlier prominent leaders. In the sum- 
mer of 1859, a battle was fought on the Bayou Queue Tortue, which fortunately 
proved bloodless, which routed the bandits so completely they never rallied 
again, a full account of which is given in the chapter on St. Martin. 

Organization of Parish. — The parish of Latayette, as a municipal body, 
dates back to 1823. It then embraced within its limits the present parish of 
Vermilion. The act, dated January 17, 1823, for the formation of Lafayette is 
as follows : 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened. That the parish of St. 
Martin is and shall be, by the present act, divided, and a new parish be 
formed out of the western part of the said parish, which shall be called and 
known by the name of the parish of Lafayette. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That the division line between the par- 
ish of St. Martin and Lafayette shall commence at the northern boundary of the 
county of Attakapas, at the junction of the Bayou Carencro with the Bayou 
Vermilion; thence down said Bayou Vermilion with its meanderings to the lower 
line of lands formerly claimed by Leclerc Fusilier ; thence along the lower line 
of said tract of land, forty French arpents; thence along the back lines of the 
tracts of land fronting on the left or east bank of the Bayou Vermilion, to a 
point marked G on the division line run by William Johnson, parish surveyor of 
the parish of St. Martin, and now deposited in the office of the Secretary of 
State ; thence east to the west or back boundary line of lands claimed by the 
heirs of Alexander Chevalier Declouet; thence in a direct line till it intersects 
the northwestern boundary of lands formerly claimed by Francois Ledu, at a 
point marked I on the plan of the division line run by William Johnson afore- 
said; thence along said Ledu's boundary to the Bayou Vermilion; thence as 
the Bayou Vermilion meanders to the junction of the Bayou Tortue with the 



192 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

Bayou Vermilion ; thence up the Bayou Tortue as it meanders to the bridge 
over said ba3'ou near the plantation of Louis St. Julien; thence along the line 
run by William Johnson aforesaid to Lake Peigneur; thence south nine de- 
grees, ten minutes east to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That all the part of the country of At- 
takapas, west of the line described in the second section of the present act, shall 
form the parish of Lafayette, and the remainder of the space formerly compre- 
hended in the parish of St. Martin shall compose the parish of St. Martin. 

Sec 8. And be it further enacted, That the parish of Lafayette shall form 
a part of the fifth judicial district, and that a District Court shall be held there 
on the last Monday of November of the present year (1823) and on the last 
Monday of May and November of every subsequent year. 

When Lafayette was organized the parish seat was established at a place called 
Pin Hook, at the present bridge across the Vermilion River, about two miles south 
of the town of Lafayette. It remained there, however, but a short time when it 
was removed to Lafayette, where it has since remained. The land upon which 
the court house stands was donated to the parish by John M. Mouton. A court 
house was built on the lot thus donated soon afterward, and in 1859 ^'^ ^^^ 
replaced by the present one. In 1886 fire-proof vaults for the preservation of the 
records were built at a cost of forty-five hundred dollars. The parish jail is on 
the court house lot, and is a $12,500 building. 

The present town of Lafaj'ette was incorporated as Vermilionville, after the 
regular preliminaries of laying out, etc., b}' act of the Legislature, dated March 11, 
1836. The act required that on the first Monday in May of each year there 
should be elected five councilmen, who should form a municipal government, and 
that to be eligible to that position they must be twenty-one years old and the 
bona fide owners of at least three hundred dollars' worth of real estate within the 
limits of the town, and that voters should possess the same qualifications in order 
to be legalized voters in such elections. The act of 1836 was annulled by an 
amended act passed March 9, 1869, and among other provisions was one requir- 
ing the city council to consist of a mayor and seven members. The following 
gentlemen have served as mayors since that time: Alphonse Neven, 1869-70; 
W. O. Smith, 1870-71; Wm. Brandt, 1871-72; W. O. Smith, 1872-73; 
Auguste Monnier, 1873-75; John O. Mouton, 1875-76; G. C. Salles, 1876-77; 
John O. Mouton, 1877-79; John Clegg, 1879-81 ; M. P. Young, 1 88 1-84 ; W- 
B. Bailey, 1884 to the present time. 

In 1884 that section in the old charter of 1869, relating to the name of the 
town and its boundaries, was abolished and a new charter adopted. The name 
of the town, among other changes made, was changed from Vermilionville to 
Lafayette, in order that the name of the capital might agree with the name of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 193 

the parish. In 1833, the first notary public was appointed for the parisli by act 
of the Legislature. 

The eastern half of the parish is divided by the Vermilion River, and the 
northern part of it is known as the Carencro district. The name of Carencro 
comes down from Indian tradition. They had a legend in their tribes that at 
Beau Basin, a beautiful place described in a preceding page, there died a 
mammoth or mastadon, and although an almost innumerable number of carrion 
crows (buzzards) came to the feast, it took them so long to devour the huge 
beast that the surrounding country took the romantic name Carencro. The 
town of Carencro takes its name from the Carencro district. 

Many of the people of Acadian descent have progressed little since their 
ancestors left their old homes in Nova Scotia, but are just as primitive as they 
were in that cold, sterile country. Their financial condition makes little 
difference; they are still primitive and simple. A late writer* thus describes 
them from actual observation : 

" An Acadian farmer, with his land, his two hands, a plow, a spinning 
wheel and a home-made loom is independent of the world. It often happens 
that the only money he spends during the year is for coffee, but oftener than 
not he pays even for this indispensable in eggs or moss. I have many times of 
late, in some country store, seen a farmer's wife come in and exchange three or 
four eggs for an equivalent in green coffee. 

" I went the other day to one of these sweet and simple country homes, and 
was received with the somewhat solemn, dignified and courtly hospitality that 
characterizes the native French farmer when his castle is invaded. Soon after 
entering we were handed a cup of black coffee. The pot is always on the 
hearth. There are many such homes in the State. Thej' are a part of 
Louisiana as it is. In the fields around the house were small crops of cotton, 
cane, rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and a row of tobacco, and flanking the field 
was a strip of swamp, furnishing the familj' with fuel and lumber. The rice the 
farmer threshes and cleans himself, the corn is pounded for meal in a wooden 
mortar, the sweet potatoes are stored in a bin for the winter, the cotton is picked 
and ginned by the wife, seeding it with her fingers. It is she who spins it and 
weaves it into cloth, which she dyes with peach tree leaves and indigo, and of this 
she makes clothing for her family, blankets for her beds, curtains for her 
windows, and a covering for her floor. The patch of cane gives the family 
sugar and molasses. From his stock of horses the farmer cuts hair from their 
manes and tails and weaves it into ropes, horse collars and harness. His beds 
he makes of the moss gathered in the swamp; and his wife milks her cows and 
makes an occasional pat of butter by shaking the cream in a bottle or gourd. 
The man cures his own tobacco, and if you visit his little home made of cypress 

* Catherine Cole, in New Orleans Picayune. 



194 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

logs and a mud plaster mixed with moss and kneaded by the feet of himself and 
his neighbors, he will offer you all these home-made hospitalities. Yet this is 
the man who is said to be unprogressive. But while his crops prosper, his fruit 
and nut trees yield, his cattle remain fat, and his young family healthy, who can 
wonder that he is content? The only good this family lack is education and 
books. As for pictures they are in the sky that smiles above them, repeated in 
the lake at their feet. In a simple way he lives in peaceful plenteousness, and 
life is sweet to him." 

Lafayette parish is about as well supplied with railroads as any parish in 
Southwest Louisiana. Says the Advertiser of a few years ago: There are two 
lines of railroads, viz: Morgan's Louisiana & Texas, running from New Orleans, 
passes through the parish, and is completed and equipped to Opelousas, about 
twentj'-five miles north of Vermilionville. The northern terminus of this road 
will be at Shreveport via Alexandria. This road is in the hands of contractors 
and is being pushed forward with much speed. The other line of road is known 
as the Louisiana Western, having its eastern and western termini at Vermilion- 
ville, in this parish, and Orange, Texas, respectively. At the latter place it is in 
connection wit"h the road to Houston. Both of these roads are now included in 
the Southern Pacific sysem. 

By a judicious and equitable system of tariffs both these roads are destined 
to be among the most profitable railways in the South. 

There is at present but one line of steamboats plying in the Vermilion River, 
making weekly trips to and from Morgan City. Under an act of Congress ap- 
propriating funds for the improvement of this stream, the United States engineers 
are preparing to begin the work, and when completed, will doubtless invite other 
lines uf steamers into the trade. 

Schools and Population. — A writer on the subject of population, school 
and church facilities, says: 

The population of the parish, according to the census of 1880, is 7185 
whites and 61 15 blacks. Total, 13,300. A majority of the white population 
are Creoles; being descendants of French ancestry. There are many Ameri- 
cans, who are also natives of the soil, and a few have moved here since the 
war. The Creoles are generally engaged in farming and stock raising, living 
strictly within their means, in a plain, unostentatious style, and independent of 
the outside world. They have for the most part eschewed education, have 
been indifferent to progress and averse to innovations upon ancestral customs; 
but withal, peaceable, law-abiding and proverbially hospitable. There are 
many of them, however, who are not only highly educated and adorning the 
various professions and trades, but who are also laboring for the development 
of the educational interests, the sciences and arts, and the opening up of our 
common country. 



I 





HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 197 

The masses of the native born American here are contented with the 
merest rudiments of education, and have been more loth, if anything, to move 
forward upon the scale of human progress than their Creole brethren. 

When it is considered, however, that this entire country has been almost 
wholly isolated from the outside world for many generations — far avva}' from 
the great highways of travel — in addition to a rich soil and a bountiful Provi- 
dence, administering to all their material interests, with little exertion on their 
part, it is not to be wondered at, that such circumstances thus combined should 
beget an indifference to outside progress, or moral and mental advancement. 
It is but just to state, in this connection, that a new era is beginning to dawn 
upon us. The liberal views now entertained and manifested by all classes on 
State education and internal improvements; the advent of railroads, with their 
accompanying industries and civilizing influences, certainly augur an early and 
radical change in the customs and manners of a people every wa}' endowed by 
nature and ancestry for higher and nobler attainments. 

We have a few private schools, taught by competent teachers, that are 
open ten months in the year, while the public schools at the present are only 
open about half that length of time. The educational interest, as previously 
foreshadowed, is 3-et in its incipiency, but bids fair to be fully developed at an 
early day. 

There are some twenty public schools in the parish. They are in charge 
of a parish school board, of which H. E. Toll is clerk and superintendent. 
The convent at La Fayette, in charge of the Catholic sisters, is an excellent 
school for young ladies. There are other select schools in the town and the 
parish. 

The prevailing religious denominations are: Roman Catholics, Methodists 
and Presbyterians, with a few Baptists and Episcopalians yet unorganized. 
There is no spirit of intolerance ever manifested, and every one may worship 
God after the dictates of his own conscience without fear or molestation. 

Bench and Bar. — Under the Constitution in force in 1823, when the parish 
of Lafayette was formed, the corps of parish officers consisted of a parish 
judge and a sheriff. The judge had jurisdiction over all matter in the parish, 
both civil and criminal. The first parish judge was Brashear. He served a 
number of years, when he was succeeded by Hon. C. M. Olivier, who filled the 
place until the law was changed to district judges. The first judge whose name 
occurs on the records is that of Henry Brice, in 1841. Although of different 
districts Judge Brice and Judge George R. King seem to have presided over the 
court at Lafayette alternately until 1852. Judge J. H. Overton was, in that year, 
elected judge of the fifteenth judicial district, and presided here until 1854. 
Overton was a man of fine qualities and a good judge. 
13 



198 SOUTH WEST L O I 'I SI ANA : 

Hon. Lucius Dupre was elected judge in 1854. ^^^ ^^''*s '^ brilli int attorney, 
an able advocate, and had few equals as a public speaker. He was afterward a 
member of the Confederate Congress. In 1857 Hon. Barthelmy A. Martel was 
elected, and served until 1864. He had climbed up from the bottom through 
considerable difficulties, and although in many ways illiterate, yet, through his 
sense of the law, he filled the position with general satisfaction. 

Ex-Gov. Mouton was elected judge in 1864, but his term was cut short b}' 
the civil war. He held his last term in 1S65. Court was t!ien suspended in the 
parish until 1866, when, at the November term, we find Judge Adolph Bailey 
on the bench of the Lafayette court. He died in office in 1868. Judge Bailc}' 
was a native of the parish, and a graduate of Yale College, and withal, one of 
the most learned men this part of the countr}' ever produced. Judge J. M. 
Porter was elected judge in 1868, and served until his death, when George E. 
King was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Porter, but never 
held court in this place. Eraste Mouton was appointed judge in 1871, and 
afterward elected, and served until the time of his death in 1878. He was one 
of the most brilliant judges that ever sat on the bench of this district. E. E. 
Mouton was appointed in 1879 ^° '^ o^*- *^^ unexpired term, and was subse- 
quently elected to the office, which he held until his death. Judge John Clegg 
was then appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1884, C. Debaillion was elected 
judge, and was reelected in 1888. He resigned, and N. N. Edwards was 
appointed to serve until an election could be held. In 1890 the present judge, 
Orther C. Mouton, was elected. 

There seems to have been something of a fatality among the judges of this 
judicial district, that so many of them died in the harness. It would have been 
but human nature had it created a superstitious feeling and excited a reluctance 
in others to accept a place which indicated an almost certain doom to the 
acceptant. 

The former practitioners of the bar of Lafayette, and who have passed 
away, were M. E. Girard, R. C. Crow, Wm. Mouton, V. Cornier, and Gov. 
Mouton. The following compose the present bar, Ex-Judge Debaillion, L. J. 
Tans}-, Charles D. Caffre}', Julian Mouton, Edward G. Voorhies, and William 
Campbell. 

In politics, the parish has heretofore been Democratic, and ever}- voter 
casts his vote at the polls \\ith as much freedom as can be done an\-where in 
the world. 

Medical Profession. — Among the early physicians of Lafayette parish were 
G. W. Mills, \\ho died in 1856; N. B. Erwin, died in 1867; Dr. Drouin, 
died 1S63; Dr. Gonzet, died in 1872. It has been rather difficult to obtain 
data sufficient to compile a length}- sketch of these early practitioners. Among 



i 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 199 

the present medical profession are Drs. J. D. Trahan, Thos. B. Hopkins, A. 
Gladu, D. Berand, H. D. Guidry, N. P. Moss, Franklin Mouton, and Dr. 
Mudd. Most of these gentlemen are sketched in the biographical department 
of this volume. The Board of Health is composed of Dr. J. D. Trahan and the 
police jury, which at present are as follows: Alfred A. Delhomme, first ward; 
Ford Huffpauir, second ward; C. P. Alpha, third ward, and president; O. 
Thriat, fourth ward: J. G. St. Julien, fifth ward; C. C. Brown, sixth ward; R. 
C. Landry, seventh ward: A. D. Landry, eighth ward, and R. C. Grieg, 
clerk. 

War Record. — -The war history of Lafayette parish was highl}' creditable to 
the people of the parish. The first body of troops that went from Lafayette 
consisted of about twenty-five men, who went to St. Martinsville, and joined 
Capt. Alcibiades DeBlanc's comm md. The first full company from here bore 
the name of the Acadian Guards, and were officered as follows: Alfred Mouton, 
captain; Wm. Mouton, first lieutenant; Polk Bailey, second lieutenant, and 
Thelismar Comeaux, third lieutenant. Upon the formation of the Eighteenth 
Louisiana Regiment, the Acadian Guards became Company L and Alfred 
Mouton was promotsd to colonel. The regiment received its baptism of fire at 
Shiloh, where Gen. Mouton was wounded. He afterward was promoted to 
brigadier general, and transferred with his brigade to the Trans-Mississippi 
Department, where it became part of Gen. Dick Ta3'lor's division. Gen. Mouton 
was afterward killed in the battle of Mansfield. 

The next company organized in the parish was under Capt. Eraste Mouton ; 

Eastin, first lieutenant; Wm. Campbell second lieutenant, and Ernest 

Matrin, third lieutenant. 

The next company was organized by Capt. W. C. Crow; A. Moss, first 
lieutenant; Pancross Rein, second lieutenant, and Joseph Louvier, third lieuten- 
ant. The two last companies mentioned were attached to the Twenty-sixth Regi- 
ment, and Capt. Crow became its Lieutenant-Colonel. No other full companies 
were raised in the parish, but a number of recruits went to fill up companies 
elsewhere. 

To-Mii of Lafayette. — When Lafayette, or VermiHonville, as the town was 
originally known, was laid out is not known. It has been a town for three- 
quarters of a centur}', or perhaps longer. Its situation near the center of the 
parish, at the junction of the Alexandria branch of the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road and the main line. It is one of the growing towns of the State. Its pop- 
ulation is not far from three thousand souls and is steadily increasing. It has 
railroad connections and advantages enjoyed by few towns. It is situated on the 
Southern Pacific, one hundred and fort3'-four miles from New Orleans and two 



200 .V O UTH WEST L O UISIANA : 

hundred miles from Houston, whicli gives it most excellent advantages in matters 
of transportation. The projected Louisiana Central Road will connect the town 
with Baton Rouge. The distance to Port Allen, opposite the capital, is fifty- 
seven miles. Two regular passenger trains each way a day on the main line from 
Lafayette, and besides four or more freights and the trains on the Alexandria 
brancli. 

Tlie railroad company here have an extensive round house, coal bins, 
tanks, etc., and the number of employes exeeed fifty men. An excellent 
hotel and eating house, perhaps one of the most commodious on the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, is located here. The Southern Pacific handles a vast amount 
of stock, which necessitates stock pens for resting at different points, and Lafay- 
ette has the most extensive pens for this purpose. 

Lafayette is the natural center of a large and rich agricultural district, re- 
gardless of parish lines. Lands as fertile as any in Louisiana or in the^world lie all 
around it. The prosperous parish of Vermilion on the south is tributary to it, 
and doubtless, at no distant day, will have a branch railroad from Lafayette to 
Abbeville. The town of Lafayette is advantageously situated for manufacturing 
enterprises, but capitalists have not yet discerned its capabilities in this regard. 
It ma}^ be said that three railroads radiate from Lafaj^ette, north east and west. 
A cotton seed oil mill, or a cotton compress or a rice mill, or planing mill, sash 
and blind factor)^ together with many other enterprises, would remunerate the 
investors. There are within the corporate limits two brick yards, and within a 
mile of the court house is probably the largest and most complete cotton gin 
in Southwest Louisiana, which is owned and operated by Grace Brothers & 
Pellerin. 

The town is well supplied with churches of the various denominations, num- 
bering three white and three colored. The Catholic church is the largest in 
members and wealth: the ground belonging to it was donated by John M. Mou- 
ton, and the first building was erected in 1822. Father Peyrette was rector from 
1824 to 1840; Father Pgbeuprez, from 1840 to 1842 ; Father A. D. Migret, 1842 
to 1853; Father Dechaignon, 1853 to 1856; Rev. S, G. Fattier, 1856 to 1865; 
Rev. Gustave Roussel, 1865 to 1872; Father Gonelle, 1872 to 1881. Father 
Fourge located here in 1881 and is the present rector. He is just completing 
the handsome church. The three altars were shipped from Belgium, and the 
beautiful bell, weighing three thousand and ninety pounds, was placed in the 
church through his influence. The congregation numbers about seven thousand. 
The pastor. Father Fourge, is a native of France, and has done much for the 
church and congregation. 

The town is also well supplied with schools, public and private, secular and 
sectarian. The Mt. Carmel Convent is a large and handsome building, and would 
ornament any town. It is considered one of the best schools for young ladies in 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL 201 

the State. There are, likewise, in the town lodges of Masons, Kniglits of Honor, 
Knights of Pythias and Knights of Labor. 

A special to the New Orleans Picayune, from Lafayette, dated January 29, 
1891, says: 

A short time since Mr. Israel Falk discovered near the surface of the earth 
a small deposit of petroleum on his property near the railroad depot and within 
the city limits. In hopes of finding the oil in paying quantities he has been drill- 
ing down to considerable depth, and yesterday, having bored some fifty feet, was 
rewarded by the discovery of a solid bed of coal equal in quality to the best sold. 
Mr. Falk v\'ill immediately sink a shaft and fathom the extent of the deposit. He 
is certain that he has made a valuable find of coal if not of oil. The latter still 
comes to the surface in small quantities and tests about sixty per cent, kerosene 
and small particles of naphtha. 

Railroad Shipments. — The following shipments were made at Lafayette by 
rail from September i, 1886, to August 31, 1887. These have increased rapidly 
since then : 

Bales of cotton 2.41 r 

Car loads of cotton in seed 66 

or 660 tons, or pounds 1.320,000 

Cotton seed, ten car loads, or pdunds 200,000 

Hides, pounds 40,300 

Corn, car loads 3 

Brick, car loads 23 

Barrels of honey yi/^ 

Barrels of tallow 9 

Barrels of potatoes 100 

Barrels of molasses 7 

Bales of moss 25 

Sacks of wool 11 

Sacks of paper junk 12 

Barrels of pecans 4 

Eggs, dozens 108,710 

Poultry, dozens 29,392 

Scrap iron, pounds 42,655 

Scrap brass, pounds 4>3-5 

Empty oil barrels 401 

Empty bottles, barrels 154 

Mattress moss, bundles 10 

Freight Received — Lumber, 316 carloads; stock received, fed and watered, 
3517. Shipped from Vandenbaumer's switch : cotton in seed, 504,254 pounds. 



202 SOUTHWEST LOVJSTANA : 

From Gerac Brothers' gin: 930,150 pounds. From J. E. Mouton's switch, (Al- 
exandria switch): cotton in seed, 609.000. 

Bronssard Village. — Another of the important centers of the parish is 
Broussard, on the main line of the Southern Pacific, six miles from Lafayette. 
It is the shipping point for a large section of country, and the center of the Cote 
Gelee Hills section. It is beautifully and attractively laid out, with broad streets, 
and lots are worth from thirty-five to fifty dollars. The depot grounds are shaded 
by handsome live-oaks, and are ample for all purposes. There are several gen- 
eral stores at Broussard, as extensive and complete as ordinarily found in country 
towns. The leading business men are: Ray & Son, Ed. St. Julien, F. B. 
Grevanberg and Ulysses Bernard. It is furnished with a town hall, drug store, 
wheelright shop, lumber j-ard, and the usual businesses to be found in a live, 
wide-awake business town. There is also a cotton gin in the town, and three 
others within a mile. 

Land in the immediate vicinity of this place is worth from twenty to thirt}" 
dollars, and there is little for sale at that price — very few are willing to sell at all. 
It is noticeable that some of the most successful planters in the parish live in 
close proximity to tliis point. Among these may be mentioned Valsin Broussard, 
J. G, St. Julien, Martial Billaud, A. A. Lobbe, ^Albert Landry, R. C. Landry, 
Joseph Girouard, Therence Girouard, Demas Bernard, and others. The people 
around Broussard are universally prosperous and contented. They not only 
make their crops of cotton and abundant supplies of corn, but they reap no small 
profit from eggs, chickens and turkeys, and other produce of that character. 
Thev are industrious, thrifty and happy, and well do they deserve it. The fol- 
lowing table of shipments for the past year from this point speaks for itself: 3842 
bales cotton, 48 car loads cotton in seed, 69 hogsheads of sugar, 30 barrels of 
molasses, 184 sacks of rice, 57,785 pounds hides, 5472 pounds wool, 59,653 
dozen eggs, 312 coops chickens. Also shipped from Oak Hill and Landry's 
plantations, on Cote Gclee, 150 bales cotton and 70 hogsheads sugar; and from 
Martial Billaud's plantation, 74 hogsheads sugar. 

Carencro. — The town of Carencro is an incorporated village, situated on 
the Alexandria branch of the Southern Pacific, seven miles from Lafayette. 
There is no prettier site for a town nor one with more solid advantages than com- 
prised in this place. The name Carencro, originally applied to this entire sec- 
tion of the country, as stated in a preceding page. 

Carencro is the shipping point for a large scope of country, nearly all of 
which is cultivated in corn, cotton, cane, etc., and there can be no question as 
to the quality of the land; indeed, much of it is above the average. Among the 
leading merchants are the Brown Brothers, Jacob Mitchell, D. Daret, A. G. Guil 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 203 

beau, G. Schumler, C. Micou and J. C. Martin. It lias a good hotel, town hall 
and all the other appurtenances of a first-class country town, including a cotton 
gin and two good lumber 3-ards ; also a well organized hook and ladder com- 
pan}-. There are two private schools in the town, and two public — one white 
and one colored — and a Catholic church. 

Under the management of a good mayor and council, the peace and quiet 
of the town is well maintained, and the streets are kept in good condition. Lots 
are worth from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars, and the land in 
the vicinity is worth from fifteen to thirty dollars per acre, according to improve- 
ments. Among those near the town owning large plantations are Mrs. Z. 
Broussard, Dr. R. J. Frances, Mrs. O. C. Mouton, Louis Roger, Mrs. F. Aba- 
die, C. C. Brown, St. Clair Kilbrist, V. C. Dupois. L. J. Arceneaux, etc. 
Tributary to Carencro is the section of country known as the Beau Basin neigh- 
borhood, which is described in a preceding page. 

The following is a table of shipments given by the railroad compan)' : 

POUNDS. WORTH. 

Cotton 10.335 $85,081 25 

Seed cotton 12,230 29,767 50 

Cotton seed 5,880 i)47o 00 

Sugar 50.000 I "625 00 

Green hides 51,900 2,895 00 

Dr}' hides 5,000 500 00 

Wool 9,000 900 00 

Moss 28,000 475 00 

Corn ;, 840 00 

Eggs 7,000 00 

Chickens 1,250 00 

Scott Village. — This is exclusiveh' a railroad town, having sprung into ex- 
istence since the building ot the railroad. It is, however, a vigorous youngster, 
with a promising future '"anent" it. There are sevei'al wide awake business 
men to be seen about the depot, and a large number of neighboring planters make 
their headquarters there. Among them may be mentioned Alex. Delhomme, 
A. D. Beaudreaux, L. G. Breaux, Robert Thomas, D. Ca3-ret, Nathan Foor- 
man, Ambroise Chasson, Severin Duhon, N. M. Dugat, Hugh Hutchinson. 
The land around Scott is all susceptible of cultivation and is highly fertile. 
Shipments from this point consist of rice, corn, wool, chickens, eggs, etc. 
The leading merchants are Alciade Judice, Jules Gendry, Marcel Sonnier, 
Martin Begraud, all of whom seem to be prosperous. Looking out from Scott 
in an}' direction the eye will be greeted by lovel}' groves of shade trees, con- 
sisting of oak and China trees. About a mile south of this place is Isle Navarre,. 



204 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

a grove of live-oaks of stately proportions and venerable in appearance, unsur- 
passed in the South, excepting perhaps those of the Exposition grounds at New 
Orleans. The most disconsolate people around this thriving place are the doc- 
tors, who have literally nothing to do, it is so exceedingly healthy. 

The Queue Tortue is a section of Lafa3-ette parish that is thickly settled. 
There are many fine farms and stock pastures, and many blooded horses, 
cattle and hogs are raised by the planters. Alexander Huffpauer, Isaac For- 
man, Benj. Spell, Vital Cormier, Ford Silas Hines, Preston and Golden Huff- 
pauer have fine farms there. Dr. M. L. Lyons, Dr. A. O. Clark, and Mr. 
Ford Huffpauer are engaged in stock raising. 

On the Bayou Vermilion, south of the bridge, are some sturdy and indus- 
trious planters. Most of them ship by boat, and at the various landings of 
Whittington, Trahan, D. Broussard and O. Broussard. There was a total ship- 
ment of two thousand five hundred bales of cotton during the past season, and 
also a large quantity of poultry and eggs, hides, etc. 

Royville is situated in the southeast part of the parish. The name of its 
post-office is Youngville, and it is twelve miles from Lafayette. It is happily 
situated, in that a large number of prosperous planters resort there for business, 
religious worship and other purposes. It is located but two or three miles from 
the Vermilion line, and nearer still to Iberia and St. Martin parishes, and draws 
a great portion of its business from those parishes. It enjoys the advantage of 
having two shipping points, the Bayou Vermilion and the Southern Pacific at 
Broussard, being four miles from each place. It has a very pretty Catholic 
church, at which worship a congregation more numerous than at an}- other 
church in this part of the State. There are several excellent stores, two drug 
stores, a large hotel and hall, private and public schools, three wheelwright 
and blacksmith shops, etc. There are three large cotton gins near the town. 
There are many well-to-do planters in this neighborhood. The extensive plan- 
tation of Mrs. M. M. Cade is within a mile of this point. Other large plan- 
ters and land owners are P. B. Ro}', E. Prineaux, Mrs. D. Roy, Martin 
Veret, Ros LeBlanc, Ed. Faber, B. F. Flanders, Mrs. Olivier Blanchet, O. 
Theriot, Alex. Langhnais, Charles Dorby, etc. The last named is a colored 
man, working two hundred acres of land, which he cultivates to good advantage. 
There is probably more wealth represented in this town than any place of the 
same population in the State. Town lots are worth from $50 to $60; lands are 
worth from $20 to $30 per acre. 

Lafayette has two excellent newspapers for a town of this size, wliich is a 
good sign of the enterprise and progressiveness of the people. Nothing does 
more for a community than a live, wide-awake newspaper. Printers' ink judi- 
ciously bestowed is the very best advertisement a country can have. 

The oldest paper is the Lafayette Advertiser, which was established Sep- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



205 



tember, 22, 1865. Mr. Wm. B. Baily, the present editor and proprietor, became 
connected with the paper as a partner during the next year, and three years later 
he became sole owner. He has edited and published it from that time to the 
present. The Advertiser is a live, energetic weekly paper, conservative, though 
strictly Democratic. It is especially devoted to the interests of the section of 
countr}^ in which it circulates. 

The Attakapas Vindicator made its bow to the public on the 27th of March, 
1890. It was established by Mr. Oscar L. Alpha, and is a four-page weekly 
paper, Democratic in politics and progressive in its views. Mr. Alpha is also 
owner and proprietor of the Acadia Sentinel, which is published in the town of 
Raj'ne, of which more in the chapter on Acadia parish. — Perrin. 



S^' 





^00^<^ 



CHAPTER VII. 

Parish of St. Mary — Topography, Etc. — Belle Isle — Geological — 
La.nds Overflowed and Not Overflowed — Sketch of Daniel 
Dennett — Resources of the Parish — Crop Statistics — In the 
Good Old Times, Etc. — Number of Slaves — Rice — Fruit Culture 
— Strawberries — Tobacco — Climate and Health — Cote Blanche 
Island — Early Settlement — Moralizing on the Pioneers — Char- 
acteristics — An Incident — Another — Organization of the Parish 
— Police Jurors — "Nigger" Rule — The Early Courts— Bar — 
Military — The Town of Franklin — Manufacturing Industries — A 
Port of Entry — Morgan City, Etc. 

" Swinging from its great arms, the trumpet-flower and the grape-vine 
Hung their ladder of ropes aloft like the ladder of Jacob, 
On whose pendulous stairs the angels ascending and descending, 
Were the swift humming birds, that flitted from blossom to blossom. 
Such was the vision Evangeline saw as she slumbered beneath it." — LoiigfelU-nv. 

p^J^T^HE parish of St. Mary is small in extent, but its lands are of the richest. 
c(4-\ Perhaps some of the finest sugar lands and plantations in Louisiana are 
G"" "' in this parish. It is said there is not an acre of poor land in the parish, 
and, better still, the lands never wear out; although cultivated constant!}' for a cen- 
tury or more without manure of anj^ kind, they still produce most excellent crops. 
It is about fifty miles across the parish by the main public highway, from south- 
east to northwest, and perhaps twent3'-five miles in the widest place. The 
boundaries are northwest b}' the parish of Iberia, northeast by Grand and 
Palourde Lakes, on the southeast b\' the parish of Terrebonne, from which it is 
separated by the Atchafala3-a Bayou, and on the southwest by the Atchafalaya 
and Cote Blanche Ba3-ous. It has something over 20,000 inhabitants. 

Tofografhy, Etc. — The parish of St. Mary is rather low, level lands, with 
considerable swamp, or, perhaps, what had as well be called sea marsh. Indeed, 
the highest point, except Belle Isle and Cote Blanche Island, is not more than 
fifteen feet above the level of the Gulf of Mexico, and the daily tides from the 
gulf of from one to two feet in all the lakes and bayous. The land around Ber- 
wick Bay has an elevation, in the highest point, reaching to about ten feet, and 
from the bay to Pattersonville, and three or four miles up the Teche, the eleva- 
tion is but httle above that around the bay and on the Bceuf . At Franklin the west 
bank of the Teche is about thirteen feet above tide water; the east bank is a 



208 SOUTHWEST L O UTS I A NA : 

little lower. The two islands, Cote Blanche and Belle Isle, at their highest points 
are more than one hundred and sixty feet above the level of the gulf. Most of 
the sea marsh is under water during gulf storms when the wind blows toward 
the land. 

The geological features of St. Mary are that it is principally an alluvium 
soil, rich as mother earth can very well be made, and so deep that the work of 
man has not yet penetrated its depth. Should the farming land ever fail in pro- 
ductiveness, a good, thick, covering of swamp mulch will restore it to its former 
richness. And the supply of this exxellent fertilizer is just simply inexhausti- 
ble. 

As low as is the general level of St. Mary but little of the parish, and rare- 
ly any of the farming lands, have ever overflowed. Some of the lands have never 
been overflowed within the memory of the "oldest inhabitant." This may be 
said of the west bank of the Teche from a point five or six miles below Centre- 
ville to its source in St. Landry parish. The lands in the lower part of the par- 
ish, and on the east side of the Teche, were overflowed, according to history, 
in 1788, 1828 and 1867. When the levees on the Mississippi River stand firm, 
St. Mary need have no fear of overflow. 

Of the agricultural products of the parish, Mr. Daniel Dennett, who has 
done such excellent work, and who has wdtten so much for Southwest Louisi- 
ana, gives interesting statistics. For years Mr. Dennett studied this country, 
collected data of its resources and wealth, and published the same for its benefit. 
The country owes much to him and his arduous labors. And as this writer is 
indebted to him for many valuable and important facts, he incorporates in this 
volume an /« Memoriam published in the New Orleans Picayune, and written 
by Mr. T. D. Richardson: 

Daniel Dennett. — Died Januarj- 5, 1891, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, aged 
seventy-three years. He was born in Saco, Maine, of poor parentage, with a 
name " rather to be chosen than great riches." Up to manhood he went through 
the usual rugged routine of farm life, there offset by the advantages of their 
good common schools. His natural endowments must have been m.uch above 
the ordinary, as shown in the various positions of his checkered life. There 
was too much of the brain material in him to be buried up in a New England 
rocky farm, and he felt it so. His first step was from one extreme to the other, 
and we find him in the Teche country of Louisiana, in the famous sugar region 
of Bayou Sale. Here he began life in the almost universal toddling paths of 
genius and greatness as a school teacher, and soon had a good record in his vo- 
cation. To this he added the role of lecturer on temperance and kindred sub- 
jects, the outcroppings, no doubt, of his early Presbyterian training. And here, 
too, he found that "pearl of great price," in the daughter of Joshua Garrett, 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 



209 



I 



and a happy lite followed him and his Mary till he was left to finish his iournev 
alone in 1880, away down near the foot of the hill. Of their six children a son 
and two daughters survive him. Mr. Dennett's strong proclivity was for farm 
hfe in all its phases, and to be the editor of an agricultural journal was in har- 
mony with his nature. In 1842 he bought the St. Mary parish newspaper of 
Robt. Wilson, and the Planters' Banner was born, which in its way was a power 
in Louisiana, and took the highest rank as an agricultural paper. 

He ransacked every nook and corner for items of interest, often too regard- 
less of personal expense. If sometimes he was a little too reckless in his on- 
slaught on what he thought injurious to the best interest of the community in 
morals and money, he always charged it to the head, never to the heart In 
politics he was a Whig, strong, but conservative as he saw it, and firm after the 
manner of the Whigs in those daj-s. We have often heard it said that if his life- 
work in Louisiana had been done in some other State, it would have placed him 
in the senate or executive chair. Here then agriculture and journalism had a 
•hard row to hoe," when half the wealth of the State took little or no interest 
in Enghsh literature. When "dust to dust" was said over the "grand old party" 
common consent placed him among the pall bearers. During our four years 
night of gloom no native born was truer to our cause than Daniel Dennett ever 
ready for any post of danger they gave him. Peace came nine years after the 
war closed, and all through the period of reconstruction his sturdy blows will be 
remembered. But the fields of journalism, like those of the old plantations, did 
not respond to the tiller's toil, and the old Planter's Banner had to go down 
Then Mr. Dennett was for some time in Texas, but said he always felt like an 
exile from home. Returning to Louisiana he became associated with the Pica- 
yune, and finally its agricultural editor. And here, in the files of that old, time- 
honored journal, may now be seen his mature life work. At his beautiful home 
near Brookhaven, Miss., his time was divided between editorials, field, fruits and 
flowers and here closed his long and useful life. It is all spread out now before 
the world Well done, good and faithful, will be the common verdict, and in 
fancy we hear the echo around the great white throne. 

Resources of the Parish.-To quote from Mr. Dennett's statistical record of 
the agricultural products : 

" Cotton is cultivated in St. Mary, but is not considered profitable Su^ar 
cane is the proper crop of the parish. Much of the land is adapted to rice The 
sea marsh, by local levees and draining machines, make rich lands, which are 
excellent nee lands. This soil consists principally of a vegetable deposit of 
great depth. Swamp lands, or any of the reclaimable wet lands, are fine for 
nee, corn, sweet and Irish potatoes; pumpkins, peas, beans, indigo, arrow root 
ginger, castor oil beans, tobacco, hay, cabbage and turnips do well in this soil 



.^ ^Q SO UTH WES r LO UISIANA : 

and climate, though a part of this list of arfcles has never been cultivated except 
toavervhn. itedextent Sealsland cotton does well on the islands along the coast. 
Garden vegetables grow the year round. Nearly all kinds of vegetables grow 
^e same here as in the North and West. Of cane, the yield per acre, on an 
avera^ is about a hogshead of sugar and fifty or sixty gallons of -lasses ;^n 
an ex^a good crop year double that amount. Cane :s cultivated nearl,- the same 
as corn, and is laid by before July. Sugar making begms in the latte. part of 
October or early in November." 

NUMBER OF ACRES IN CULTIVATION IN 189I : 

30,000 

In cane 2, 500 

In rice !!.....!. T. . 18,000 

In corn 200 

In oats ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2 000 

In pasture 

56,700 

576,000 

Total acreage of parish 519,300 

Swamp, wood and sea marsh 

PRODUCTS RAISED IN 1 889 : 

18,000 barrels 

^"^^^^"^ .' 32,500,000 pounds or loo.ooo barrels 

Sugar 33,500 barrels 

^'^^^ 144,000 barrels 

Corn 

Male. Female. Total. 

White children, ages 16 to 18 ^'^52 1,2^^ -,^i^ 

Colored children, ages 16 to 18 ]2^_ "^ 

3,803 3.818 — - 

7,621 

Total children for 1690 

The crop of 1890 will be about as follows: 

70,000,000 pounds 

'^^o'"' .... 35,000 barrels 

Mol'^sses .'......... 144,000 barrels 

Corn 

In the good old times before the war there were about thirteen thousand 
slaves owned in St. Mary parish, valued at six miUion dollars. Some hfteen 
amers then were engaged in the bayous, lakes and bays conti-ous d "g 
the busy season of the year, and as many as one hundred and twenty-five v es.els 
have left Franklin in a single vear for northern and southern ports, freighted 
t ; str Ind molasses ^and^ive-oak. Of course, this is all changed now. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 211 

The "fortunes of war'" liberated the slave and elevated him to the dignity (?) 
of statesmanship, and the railroad, in a measure, has superseded the steamboat 
and the schooner. 

Rice is grown considerably in St. Mary, but not to the extent that cane is. 
The time is coming, however, when rice will be more extensively cultivated 
perhaps than cane, because it can be more easily done. Rice, in this parish, 
grows pretty well without flooding, but on the flooded lands the crop is nearly 
double that of lands not flooded. Further west the growing of rice is fast 
becoming the leading crop. In Calcasieu, Acadia, Lafayette and Cameron 
parishes, it is grown to a large extent. The method of ploughing, sowing, har- 
vesting and threshing in rice culture is almost precisely as in wheat, with the 
same machinery. Rice culture differs from wheat in the flooding of the fields 
with water during the growing season— a very simple process. The chief 
advantages of rice farming over wheat are: 

1. The long period during which preparations and sowing mav be con- 
tinued. 

2. The greater value of the product. 

Preparations can be carried on from October till June, and sowing from 
March till July. Har^-esting continues from August till November. 

In the season of 1889 the average yield of rice in some of the western par- 
ishes was twelve barrels per acre, worth $36; in 1890 the average yield is con- 
siderably greater, in many cases averaging twenty barrels per acre, worth $70. 
A few fields have reached thirty barrels per acre. Many farmers have 
■acquired large wealth in a few years in rice farming. 

Fruit Culture. — The cultivation of fruits, the finer fruits particularly, like 
■oranges, figs, etc., is becoming a more and more extensive industry every year. 

Mr. Dennett says: "The yield of oranges per acre is enormous. It is 
impossible to make any estimate that is reliable, aswe have not the acres oryield 
of any one orchard ; but below New Orleans single orchards sometimes yield 
from $10,000 to $30,000, at a dollar a hundred oranges." A full grown, 
healthy orange tree, fifteen or twenty j'ears old, in a good season, will produce 
five thousand oranges. It takes from three to four hundred oranges to fill a flour 
barrel. So the largest orange trees produce from forty to fifty bushels of fruit 
of a favorable season. 

The latitudes in which the temperature is the most exempt from extremes 
of heat and cold are the most favorable for the development of the fruits. This 
is why Southern Italy is so noted for perfection in fruits and vegetables. It is 
there that the orange and citron display such great growth. The day is certainly 
not far distant when Southwest Louisiana will be known as the Italy of the 
United States. 



212 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Below we give an extract from tlie Missouri Farmer, on fruits of Southern 
Italy and there no reason wh}- Louisiana should not do as well: 

There are two methods of propagating the orange and citron. The first of 
these is technically called by the Italians "teste"- that is, "from the head."' 
This consists in planting out the young branches of the orange or citron, care 
having been taken, before severing them from the tree, to make them put forth 
their roots in a kind of vase of earth, which is bound around them at the junc- 
tion where they are to be separated. But experience has proved that trees thus 
propagated are never strong and long-lived, like those produced from the seed 
of a tree which has not been propagated by cutting. The best mode of propa- 
gating, therefore, is to take the young plant produced from the seed of a wild 
orange or citron tree. 

An orange tree is always wild, and produces in its natural state only sour 
fruit, until a scion of a cultivated tree — one bearing sweet fruit, which happens 
to be a tree originally wild, only after years of cultivation — has been grafted 
upon it. 

The process of grafting orange trees is a science of itself, of which it is 
necessary to have a practical knowledge. In Sorrento, even old and e.xperienced 
cultivators do not attempt it themselves, but always have recourse to a class of 
men whose avocation it is to go from plantation to plantation to perform the 
process of grafting upon the trees; and to do it successfully, one must first learn 
it practically from an experienced grafter. 

When a considerable number of young trees are to be planted permanently, 
the general method is to plant two orange trees and two citron trees at regular 
distances, forming a square, and in the center of this square to place an olive 
tree, or a nut tree, or any other fruit-bearing tree whose presence will not inter- 
fere with the culture of the acid fruits. The Italians call this planting 
colquariro. 

The Sorrentines have a sort of basket which is used as a measure for the 
fruit. This is called the eolletta, which will hold about one hundred oranges or 
citrons. This is used in gathering the fruit. When the fruit of one tree fills 
the basket, that tree is considered full grown, usually at its sixth year. From 
that time the yield continually increases, until the tree gives ten basketfulls — 
that is to say, one thousand oranges — when it is considered at the height of its 
fruit-bearing capacity. This usually occurs at about the twenty-fifth year of its 
age. 

All kinds of fruits grow in St. Mary parish. Pears of a superior quality 
are grown, particularly on the Bayou Teche. Olives do well, but little or no 
attention has ever been paid to them. Bananas, lemons and pineapples may be 
raised with a very little protection. Plums seem almost indigenous to this sec- 
tion. Nearly a dozen different kinds of plums are grown here. The Mcspilus, 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 213 

or Japan plum, is one of the finest, and one of the most beautiful. This tree 
is a beautiful evergreen. It blossoms in the fall, the fruit grows during the 
winter and gets ripe in March. The fruit is excellent. 

Strawberries, blackberries and dewberries grow wild in the greatest pro- 
fusion. Strawberries, when properly cultivated, are extremely prolific and con- 
tinue bearing six or eight weeks. The dewberries are very large and abun- 
dant and grow wild. They are very much like the blackberry, both in taste and 
appearance. It is not meant that all the fruits enumerated are to be found here 
in plentiful profusion, but experience has proven that they may be produced in 
abundance with proper cultivation and care. "Fruit culture here is yet in its 
infancy, but when the same attention and skill are given to it as in other portions 
of the countr}^ then will it become a paradise in all except the forbidden fruit."'* 

Tobacco. — This crop grows well in St. Mary, but it requires so much care 
to produce it, that it is not considered a profitable crop. Great fortunes, 
however, have been made in tobacco in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia 
and Kentucky, and the article can be produced here with much less work than 
in these States. Besides there is always a ready cash market for what is pro- 
duced. The tobacco grown in Louisiana is said to be superior to any grown 
in the United States. There is a great foreign demand for it, and it is espe- 
cially noted for the superior, excellent snuff it makes. While Louis Phillippe 
was King of France, he is said to have sent agents to Louisiana to buy tobacco 
for his court, choosing it in preference to any other. An old gentleman of this 
state informed the writer that he had seen tobacco raised in Virginia, Tennes- 
see and Georgia, and had raised it largely in Louisiana. He said that the 
tobacco raised in Louisiana was superior in quality to that of any other State, 
and that the first crop was equal in quantity to that of any other State, while 
the second crop in the same year was fully equal to the first in both quality and 
quantity. This makes tobacco twice as productive here as in the other tobacco 
raising States. 

There is but little raised here now, but enough to show what can be done. 
Before the war there were some large tobacco plantations, but since then the 
farmers have only tried to raise enough for home consumption. The famous 
perique tobacco, the kind used by Louis Phillippe, King of France, can only 
be produced in Louisiana. 

Climate and Health. — The following statement of climate and rainfall of 
this section was carefully made by one who had made a study of the matter: 

That portion of Louisiana between the Atchafalaya river on the east, the 
Sabine on the west, the gulf of Mexico on the south, and north to the pine 

♦Dennett. 

14 



214 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

hills, is known as Southwestern Louisiana. This region possesses the most mar- 
vellous combination of beautiful prairies, valuable woodlands, navigable rivers 
and charming lakes, with one of the healthiest and most genial climates, upon 
the globe, and a soil superlative in every element of production. 

The climate is soft and mellow, ranging from 40 to 70 degrees in winter and 
from 80 to 96 in summer, rarely reaching the latter point. The rapid evapora- 
tion from the gulf cools the atmosphere to about 80 degrees. At this tempera- 
ture it is driven over the land by the atmospheric currents, becoming slightly 
elevated by the higher temperature of the earth. It is thus always cool and de- 
lightful in the shade, even in the warmest weather. Northern men can work on 
the farm all summer as safely as in Iowa. The rainfall is about 60 inches, distri- 
buted quite evenly through the year. It is as pure as crystal, requiring no filtering. 
In summer it falls in showers of short duration, seldom interfering with continu- 
ous field labor. Farm work is not interrupted by the winter, except occasion- 
ally by excessive moisture, and that for a short time. If the same care were 
exercised in Louisiana to keep the system in order as in the Northern States, the 
average health of the family would be much better here than there. There is 
very little malaria in the prairie region of Southwestern Louisiana, and that is 
easily managed by ordinary care. The rolling pine timber lands are very favor- 
able for health. The climate operates most beneficially in cases of rheumatism, 
neuralgia, catarrh, weak lungs, nervous prostration, etc. There is scarcely any 
danger from yellow fever. Before there was any effective quarantine estab- 
lished in Louisiana there were a few cases of yellow fever— none since in the 
rural districts. The last case was thirteen years since. 

The Bayou Cypremort is lined with beautiful forests, of which the stately 
magnolia predominates. Many of them are over fifty feet high. Their foliage 
and magnificent white blossoms are excelled by few forest trees to be found any- 
where in the world. The magnolia well merits the title that has been given it 
of the "queen of the forest." But mingled with the magnoHa along Cypremort 
are oak, ash, black walnut, hickory, sweet gum, pecan, elm, etc., with a rank 
growth of underbrush and grape vines. There is nothing very beautiful and en- 
chanting in the bayou as a stream, it being filled with weeds, rushes and wil- 
lows, a seeming haunt for snakes and other water reptiles. It is its forests that 
constitute its beauty. 

Cote Bhiuche Island. — This island rises out of the marsh to an elevation of 
one hundred and eighty feet above the level of the Gulf of Mexico. It is some 
ten miles from Franklin as the crow flies, but twentv-five miles by way of tlie 
wagon road. It is a beautiful place and has a fine climate— a climate in which 
people never get sick, but live always. The pure sea breeze from the gulf cools 
the air in summer and tempers the wintry winds, making a pleasant resort the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 215 

3'ear round. It is susceptible of being made one of the most beautiful and at- 
tractive resorts on the gulf coast. 

Since the memorable days of 1849, when the discover}^ of gold on the 
Pacific slope set all the world agog, the pioneers, the men who skirt the outer 
confines of civilization on this continent, have entirely changed in their charac- 
teristics. They are now, in the last decade of the nineteenth century, perhaps 
the most cosmopolitan people in the world. But the old Californians were the 
best practicall}' educated people of any of the pioneers, for they were suddenly 
gathered together in large numbers, representing every civilized people of the 
globe — many of the half civilized, and even some of the totally barbarous. This 
heterogenous gathering of such varieties of people resulted in the world's won- 
der of a public school. It rapidly educated men as they never had been 
educated before. It was not perfect in its moral symmetry, but it was wholly 
powerful in its rough strength, vigor and swiftness. It taught not of books, but 
of mental and physical laws — the only fountain of real knowledge, of commerce, 
of cunning craft — it was iron to the nerves and a sleepless energy to the resolu- 
tion. This was its field of labor, its free university. Here, every people, every 
national prejudice, all the marked characteristics of men, met its opposite when 
there was no law to restrain or govern either, except that public sentiment that 
was crj-stallized into a resistless force in this witch's caldron. This wonderful 
alembic, where were fused normal and abnormal humanities, thoughts, false ed- 
ucations, prejudices and pagan follies, into a molten stream that glowed and 
scorched ignorance along its way as the volcanic eruption does the debris in its 
pathway. It was the untrammeled school of attrition of every mind with mind — 
the rough diamond that gleams and dazzles with beauty only when rubbed with 
diamond dust. The best school in the world for a thorough, practical educa- 
tion. Universal education — we mean real education and not "learned ignorance," 
as Locke has aptly termed it — is a levelerof the human mind. It's Hke the strug- 
gle for life, when only "the fittest survive" and the unfit perish. But its ten- 
dency is to lift up the average, to better mankind, to evolve the truth and 
mercilessly gibbet ingrained ignorance and superstitious follies. 

The school life of the pioneers of Southwest Louisiana was spent in a 
totally different one from that just named. Their surroundings differed radi- 
cally from that of the California " fortj^-niners." They did not come to Louis- 
iana in great rushing crowds, but in meagre squads. They had abandoned 
home, some of them driven away at the point of English bayonets, and plunged 
into these vast solitudes to live, where the luxuries of life were among the lost 
arts. These sturdy, lone mariners of the desert were men of action and nerve. 
They whetted their instincts for existence against the wild game, the ferocious 
beasts, and the murderous savages. 



210 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Settlement of the Parish. — The early settlers of Southwest Louisiana, as 
ah'eady stated, were very different from the western pioneers of 1849, when the 
gfold fever raged so intensely on the Pacific coast. They were descendants of 
the best families of France and Spain, some of them with the blood of kings 
coursing through their veins. One of the first settlers in St. Mary parish was 
Louis le Pelletier de la Houssaye, a descendant of Claude de la Houssaye, the 
Prime Minister of Louis XV of France. The de la Houssaye family is one of 
the oldest and noblest families in Louisiana, and boasts of descent from royalty. 
There is a dissimilarity in spelling the name in this section. Some members 
of the family spell it de la Houssaye, while others spell it Delahoussaye, but 
both run back to the same source. Louis le Pelletier de la Houssaye was sent 
here by Louis XVL successor to the fifteenth Louis, as an official, and lived 
here in St. Mary parish. He has many descendants still living in the parish. 
He had a brother, A. de la Houssaye, who came to Louisiana at the same time 
with himself. 

Other early settlers in this parish were the Sigures, DeVals, Coners, Dar- 
b3's, DeClouets, Dubuelet, Verret, Grevenberg, Peocot, Oliv'ier, Bienvenue, 
etc. They were of the most respectable French families, and were among the 
very early settlers. Also the Laestrapes, Gerbeans, Charpentiers, Demarests, 
Pellerins, Dubuclets, Dejean, Duclozel, Bryants, and Arensbourg. 

Among the early settlers were a few Spaniards. Of these were the 
Navarros, Moros, and others. They also have descendants still in the parish. 
Just after the close of the Revolutionary war a number of immigrants of Ameri- 
can or English blood came, among whom were J. Y. Sanders, from South Caro- 
lina, who was a cousin to the father of Senator Wade Hampton. 

Characteristics of the Early Settlers. — Among these early settlers of St. 
Mary parish, the most unbounded confidence prevailed. No such thing as 
giving a note for money due from one to another was thought of or known 
among them. The following instance will illustrate this phase of their 
character: A Frenchman named Pellerin used to loan mone}^ but would never 
take a note for it. With him a man's word was good as his bond. An early 
settler here. Col. Baker, who held some position over the Indians, once went 
to Mons. Pellerin, to borrow two thousand dollars, and upon asking the question 
if he could have it, "Yes, yes," answered Pellerin, in his quick, jerky way of 
speaking, and called to his son, a youth, in the next room, to bring him the box 
from under the bed. When the box was brought the two thousand dollars was 
counted out in gold by the old man, who pushed it over to Baker, remarking, 
"There is your money." Col. Baker hesitated, and asked for pen and ink, 
(scarce articles in those days), "Well," said the Frenchman, "I guess I could 
find pen and ink if necessary, but what do you want them for?" "Why," said 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 217 

Col. Baker, "for fear sometliing might liappen — you or I might die, then it 
would be best for you to have a note for this money to show that I got it from 
you."' "A note, a note!" exclaimed Pellerin, "If a man's word is not good 
his bond is not good. When you go home tell your wife you got two thousand 
dollars from me, payable the first of Jaruar}% and I tell my wife you got it, that 
is enough evidence." "A note, a note," he again exclaimed, and swept 
the gold back into his strong box and would not let Baker liave it. This 
occurred back in the twenties. 

Sucli dealings probablj^ worked well in tlie primitive days of this cointry, 
among the primitive inhabitants, but would scarcely hold good in these degen- 
erate times even in Louisiana. 

Another incident occurred about this time still further illustrating the simplic- 
ity and confidence of the early inhabitants. A man named Elliot, a brawn}' old 
Scotchman, was operating a distillery in the parish. He wanted some money, 
and went to an old Creole lady and borrowed from her $2000. When the ist 
of January came around he went back to pay her. He counted out the $2000 
in a pile and then counted out $200 in a smaller pile, which he told her was 
''interest." "Interest," said she, "what is interest?" "Why, since I had your 
money that big pile has made the little pile, and that is called interest and it is 
all yours." As soon as Elliott left the old lady mounted her horse and went 
straight to the country school house, where an ancient Hibernian — 

"Teddy O'Rourke kept a bit of a school — " 

was teaching her sons, among a few others of her neighbors, and called him 
out — "Schoolmaster," said she, "teach my boys interest, nothing but interest," 
and away she went back home leaving the schoolmaster in much bewilderment 
as to what she really meant. He heeded her advice, however, and her sons be- 
came honorable citizens and among the finest commercial men in the parish. 

Formation of Parish. — As will be seen in the introductory chapter of this 
work, in a sketch written by Col. Voorhies, of St. Martin, descriptive of the At- 
takapas District, St. Mary is one of the two parishes into which that district was 
divided soon after 1800. Following is the act of division accompanied by an 
act to form the parish of St. Mary : 

An Act entitled an Act to divide the country of Attakapas into two 
parishes. Approved April 17, 1811 : 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Legislative Council and House of Repre- 
sentatives of the Territory of Orleans, in General Assembly convened. That 
the county of Attakapas shall be divided into two parishes, to be called the 
parish of St. Martin and the parish of St. Mar}'. 

Sec. 2. The parish of St. Mary shall contain all that part of said county 



218 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

north of a line running east from the upper line of tlie plantation of Francis 
Boutte, on the Bayou Teche, to the Great Lake, and west from the said Francis 
Boutte to tlie mouth of the bayou of the Petite Anse, on the bay; and the parish 
of St. Mary shall contain all the remainder of the said county, that is to say, all 
ihat is south or below the said line. 

An Act to explain an act entitled "An Act to divide tlie county of Attaka- 
pat into two parislies:" 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the S.ate of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened, That a straight line be 
run from the westward^ corner of the upper line of the plantation of Francis 
Boutte, where he now lives, to the head of the canal leading to the Petite Anse 
island; thence down the canal to the Petite Anse bayou, and down the same by 
the bay, commonly called theVermilion Bay ; thence southeastwardly with the bay 
and the line of the State to the entrance into the Bayou Teche, thence up the bay 
of the same to include all the settlements on the bayou that intersect with the 
bay on the east side of what is commonly called Berwick's Bay, and not in- 
cluded in either of the parishes of Lafourche ; thence up the middle of the Grand 
Lake to the place where a line running east from the aforesaid Francis Boutte's 
pLi.ntation shall strike the said lake, shall belong to the parish of St. Mar}'. 
Approved March 20, 1813. 

The earl}- parish records are very meagre, and some of them missing en- 
tirely, so we must draw on our seven-league boots and step down to the police 
jury records of 1866. At the meeting of tlie Police Jurors, held on May 27th of 
the above years, the following members were present: Frank Thompson, first 
ward; Jolin A. Smith, second ward ; Samuel L. Randall, third ward; Wm. 
H. Cook, fourth ward; One member seemed to have been absent, as the four 
named above presented their certificates of election under the act, reducing the 
number of wards to five. After taking the required oath they organized, and 
Mr. S. L. Randall was elected president for one year. 

The first business transacted b}- the board was the adoption of a resolution 
to cooperate with the governor in rendering assistance to the sufferers from a 
recent overflow. At the July term, Mr. John Tarleton presented his certificate 
of election to represent the fifth ward in the board. At August meeting the par- 
ish was redivided into school districts, and a School Board consisting of H. C. 
Smith, Dr. C. M. Smith and P. Pecot were appointed a board to examine school 
teachers. 

An election was held on the 9th of May, 1870, and the following jurors were 
elected: Etriene Meynard, first ward; Dolze Bodine, second ward; T. J. Fos- 
ter, third ward ; Henry J. Saunders, fourth ward; J. P. Wallers, fifth ward. 
This board recorded its last minutes October 2, 1871, from which date there is 
a skip in the records to the 6th of April, 1876, covering the period of Negro- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 219 

carpetbag rule. After a long series of abuses, the people, the intelligent masses, 
arose in their might, just as they did in the November election, 1890, and just as 
they always do, when patience ceases to be a virtue, hurled the plunderers from 
power, who had so long trodden under foot all decency, and through ignorance, 
or "malice prepense and aforethought," had ruined the financial standing and 
bankrupted the parish treasury. From 1876, until the adoption of the Constitu- 
tion of 1879, requiring the appointment of Police Jurors, enough good men were 
elected or were made members of the board to very much better the condition 
of things. At the time tne "rump" board was dethroned, it was found that the 
parish was $13,000 in debt, the treasurj- empty, and parish warrants selling at 
from twenty-five to thirty cents on the dollar. The gentlemen appointed under 
the new regime from the respective wards were: T. J. Foster, J. Y. Sanders, 
Phillippe Patout, Louis Grevenberg and T. Bellissim. They held their first 
meeting January, 7, 18S0, and at the end of three 3'ears they had paid off the 
parish indebtedness, all the outstanding warrants, running the county on a purely 
cash basis, and their vouchers were worth 100 cents on the dollar. A state- 
ment was made by the board, February i, 1891, of the financial condition of the 
parish, showing a balance in the treasury of $8564, and that much of the last 
year's tax is still unmolested. During the prosperous decade of 1880-1890, manv 
needed improvements were made. The present board are as follows, viz: 

Milliard M. Bosworth, first ward; (the second ward has been made vacant 
by the death of its representative); Tlios. J. Fastin, third ward (and President 
of the Board); Thos. E. Kennedy, fourth ward; Frank B. Williams, fifth ward; 
George G. Zeno, sixth ward; Stephen B. Roane, seventh ward; Thos. J. Hein, 
is secretary of the board, a place he has filled for more than twenty j-ears, a sure 
sign that he is the. right man in the right place. 

The legislative representatives are Hons. Placide P. Sigure, and Joseph A. 
Loret. Sheriff of the parish — Alexander G.Frere; Clerk — Francis P. Perret; 
Assessor — Henry S. Palfrey; Surveyor — Alfred A. Fusilier; Coroner — Dr. 
Chas. M. Smith. 

The Early Courts. — The first court records show Henry Johnson to be the 
first Parish Judge. The first court seems to have been held in a frame house 
belonging to Meathen Nimmo, on the 27th of August, 181 1. Johnson was suc- 
ceeded by Hon. Seth Lewis as Judge, whose first court was held in June, 1813. 
Upon retiring from the parish judgeship, J(jhnson became Judge of the Attakapas 
District. 

An incident that occurred at ihe term of court. July 4, 1814. will have a 
rather peculiar sound to us after three-quarters of a century, viz: "John Harmon 
was confined in the stocks one hour for contempt of court." 

Among the practising attorne\'s in the St. Mar\- courts in those davs were 



220 S0UTI/WES7' LOUIS/ANA : 

J. Bronson, Isaac Baker, Richard Humphrey, Josliua Baker ( afterward judge ), 
W. W. Bowen and R. N. Ogden, and John Wilkinson was judge of the parish 
court. In 1826, J. A. Overton was judge; in 1828, H. A. Buiiard was judge; 
1829-30, Joshua Baker was judge. 

District and parish courts were held from the formation of the parish in 181 1 
until the adoption of the new constitution in 1879, when the district court was 
abolished and the circuit court instituted in its stead. 

Later judges of the parish were: Hon. F. S. Goode, who was judge for 
eight years, Judge Fontelieu, Judge Fred. C Gates, B. F. Winchester, etc. 
Among the present members of tiie bar are Don Caffrey, M. J. Foster, P. H. 
Mentz, W. J. Suthon, W. N. K. Wilson, J. S. Martel, Henry Mayce and 
Placide P. Sigure. 

Alilitary History. — How man}- soldiers were in the war of 181 2 from St. 
Mary is not known, but there was one company from the parish participated 
in the battle of New Orleans under General Jackson. In the Mexican war, a 
compan}' was organized under Captain Stuart. So far there are but four Mexican 
war veterans known to be living in the parish ; one of these is Mr. Benj. F. 
Harris. He served under Captain G. S. Rousseau. Mr. Harris was also in the 
civil war, in Captain Cornay's St. Mary Cannoneers. He is now sixty-nine years 
old and still quite active. For sketch of the civil war, see chapters on St. 
Martin and St. Landry parishes. 

Tozvn of J^ranklin.—¥v3,-nkY\n was laid out as a town about 1800. It was 
founded by a man named Guinea Lewis, from the good old Quaker State of 
Penns3'lvania, which accounts for its bearing the name of Franklin, the great 
philosopher of that State in its infancy. The first house built where Franklin 
now stands was put up by a Mr. Trowbridge, and has long since crumbled into 
dust. Mrs. Trowbridge, his widow, is still living, and is about the oldest resi- 
dent of the town. Franklin became the capital in 181 1, upon the organization 
ef the parish. Its growth has been slow but steady, afid it now has a population 
of about two thousand souls, and — about the same number of bodies. The town 
has two public schools, one white and one colored, a Catholic school and a select 
school besides. The public schools continue about five months during each 
j'ear. There are two Methodist churches, one white and one colored, and two 
Baptist churches, all of which have good, large memberships. It has a large 
number of business houses, large and strong financially, live, wide-awake busi- 
ness men, three hotels and two liver}' stables, and all classes of business that go 
to make up a prosperous town. The St. Mary Herald is the official journal of 
the parish. It is a four-page paper, seven columns to a page, and full of enter- 
prise. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 221 

Franklin was formerly a port of entry for theTeche district, and did a large 
trading and shipping business with the cities of the North. This has been mate- 
rially lessened by the railroad enterprise of this fast age, which has changed the 
route of travel to New Orleans and Galveston. Franklin was a large market up 
to 184S for cattle. 

The following are the present officials of the town: Nilson McKessal, 
mayor; Michael B. Gordy, marshal; E. M. Walker, treasurer, and Frank 
Harris, constable. Councilmen — Arthur A. de la Houssaj^e, Henderson Morris, 
Edward Kreshnel, Matthew Bell and James K. Fouray. 

The parish has had several court houses, temporary and permanent. In 
1858, a two-story brick court house was built, with ten rooms, offices tire-proof. 
A substantial brick jail was built, in 1854, by Franklin Harris. The brick court 
house was burned a few years before the building of the present one, which is 
a two-stor}' brick, with large Corinthian columns in front. 

Tliere are a number of manufacturing enterprises in and around Franklin, 
such as saw-mills, sugar mills and refineries, sash, door and blind factories, 
shingle mills, etc. 

Morgan City. — This place was formerly called Brashear City, and is situ- 
ated on Berwick Bay, and in the extreme eastern part of the parish. It has 
from two to three thousand inhabitants, mostly foreigners and negroes, and fish- 
ing and oyster gathering is the principal business. The site of the town was 
originally a sugar plantation, owned by Mr. Brashear, for whom the town was 
originally named. It was incorporated in i860 as Brashear City, and Thomas 
Brashear became the first mayor. The first business house was built by Mr. 
Brashear on his plantation. 

When Morgan's Louisiana railroad line was built the town was incorporated 
as Morgan Cit}^ which name it still retains. The first mayor of the new town 
was Charles Smith. In 1870 the Teche Collection District was changed from 
Franklin to Morgan City and R. W. MuUin was the first collector. He held the 
position six years, and was succeeded by E. W. Hubbard for four years, then 
came James H. Jolly for eight years. He was succeeded by W. T. Carrington 
for four years, until the incoming of the Harrison administration, when Mr. Jolly 
was reappointed and now holds the office. 

The town has some fifteen business houses, four hotels and two newspapers. 
The Morgan City Review is a weekly Democratic paper, edited by H.M. Mayo, 
a prominent young Democrat of the town. The other is a monthly journal, 
owned by Mr. W. B. Gray, who is an old newspaper man. He has a very com- 
plete and valuable job office in connection with his paper. 

Morgan City is the 03'ster depot for Southwest Louisiana, and large quantities 
are shipped from this place annually, both to the home and foreign trade. The 



222 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

catching, packing and shipping of fish is also an important interest. Mr. J. H. 
Lehman is the great fish king of the town, in fact he is a whale. 

Berwick, on the opposite side of the bay from Morgan Cit)-, is a small village 
of some six hundred inhabitants. Tt is an important lumbering town. A large 
amount of excellent lumber and an innumerable quantit\- of shingles are shipped 
annually to all parts of the country. 

Other villages in the parish are Baldwin. Patterson, Glencoe, Acklen, 

Ricohoc, Grand Woods, etc. Most of these are small places, consisting of but 

a post-office, store, etc. Patterson is quite a village, with five or six hundred 

inhabitants, and Baldwin is the junction of a branch railroad over to Cypremort. 

he other villages are places of little consequence. — Per^'in. 




CHAPTER IX. 

"A Tale of Acadia" — Introductory — A Glance at Acadia Parish — 
Prairie on Fire — Resources — A Western Editor's Impressions of 
Southwestern Louisiana — Early Settlement — A German •Col- 
ony — Joseph Fabacher — An Ode to the German Emigrant — In- 
troduction OF Rice Culture — Making Hay — Organization of the 
Parish — Act of the Legislature Incorporating It — Parish 
Officials — Court Houses and Jails — The Town of Crowley — 
Laying Out of Same — Other Towns — Schools and Churches — 
The Acadia College— General Summary, Etc. 

" O, Country! rich in everything, in all that makes a people great; 

We hail thee, queen of 'Cadian soil, and fling our challenge to the State, 
We hail thee, queen, whose beauty won our fathers in their golden years; 
A shout for greater days begun, a sigh for sleeping pioneers." 

fi^HE past, with all its momentous changes, has ever been regarded as im- 
> portant and deserving of record. Long before letters were invented, 
legendary tales and traditions were emplo3ed to perpetuate importantevents 
and transmit the same to succeeding generations. Hieroglyphics were afterward 
used for the same purpose. But all these forms of memorial have long since given 
place to the pen and types among civilized nations. The introduction of modern 
alphabets made writing less difficult, and the invention of the art of printing 
afforded facilities for publishing books before unknown. The thirst for knowl- 
edge produced by the press and the Reformation, and the growing taste for 
history created by the latter, brought out a host of historians, rendered their 
works voluminous and scattered them broadcast over the world. Many of them 
read in the light of civilization have all the fascinations of a romance, which but 
increases in interest as time rolls on. 

The papyrus roll of ancient Egypt, containing mysterious records, and the 
ponderous folios of Confucius, that antedate tradition itself, were not more val- 
uable to the sages and philosophers of old than the printed page of the nine- 
teenth century is to the scholarly and enlightened individual of the present day. 
And of all historical records there are none more interesting and valuable than 
local annals. Interesting because prepared by those who enact them, and val- 
uable because the future and actual historian without them could not write a 
true history of the country. 



224 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ■ 

This chapter of our work is devoted to the parish of Acadia — the youngest 
parish in the State. Indeed, Acadia is a very j'oung lady, still in short dresses, 
and scarcely of a sufficiently mature age to be entrusted from home vs'ithout a 
body guard. Although her growth has been so rapid, and she has developed so 
wonderfully, no one would suspect that her fifth birthday is yet half a year dis- 
tant — rather a youthful age for a young lady to set up housekeeping for herself. 
This gloriously salubrious climate brings out the bestthere is in us without the 
lea.st delay. 

Acadia Parish. — The parish of Acadia was created in 1886, from the south- 
west part of St. Landry parish, and has an area of six hundred and thirty-four 
square miles. It is diversified with prairie and woodland, and is bounded on the 
north by the parish of St. Landry; on the east by the parish of Lafayette; on the 
south by the parish of VermiHon, from which it is separated by the bayou of 
Queue Tortue, and on the west by the Bayou Nez Pique and Mermentau River, 
separating it from the parish of Calcasieu. The surface is generally level, but 
the fall is sufficient to afford good drainage into the creeks and rivers, of which 
there are quite a number. The streams are generally deep, with high banks, 
which are covered with fine timber. The water supply is ample for all pur- 
poses, the creeks affording an abundant supply for stock, and wells sunk to a 
depth of twenty to thirty feet afford an unfailing quantity for all domestic 
purposes. 

The prairies are almost monotonously level. In summer they are covered 
with tall, luxuriant grass from two to four feet high, which, when waving in the 
wind, resemble ocean billows in a storm. They are often overtopped with 
fragriint blossoms, presenting a scene of picturesque beauty that must be seen to 
be appreciated. One beautiful afternoon of a balmy Indian summer day lastfall, 
the writer, in coming over the Southern Pacific Railroad, from the west, saw in 
this parish, a prairie on fire. The line of fire extended for miles, and, as the 
dark cloud of smoke rolled upward, like a mourning pall, almost veihng the face 
of the sun, it recalled the sublime lines of Milton : 

"The sun, 
In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight shed 
O'er half the nations." 

The writer heaved a sigh that he possessed not the pencil of an artist to 
paint the scene as he saw it. 

A Western Editor' s Opinion.— L.2ii\. fall, a company of Kansas, Missouri and 
Nebraska editors visited Southwest Louisiana and remained several days, mak- 
ing the acquaintance of leading people throughout this portion of the State, and 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 225 

seeing for themselves its wonderful resources and capabilities. When they re- 
turned home the}' wrote their impressions of the country for their respective 
papers. Selecting one, which is a fair t3'pe of the others, we make the following 
extracts : 

The New South was to the writer of this a New World. He had met 
some of the Southern people, as all Northern people have, and thought that he 
was acquainted with them, with their country and with their resources. With 
a limited ten days' experience he is willing to acknowledge that he knows but 
little now, and that he never dreamed before he saw them, of the possibilities 
and tlie undeveloped resources of the South. It is true that the view was super- 
ficial; it is true that only a very small portion of the country was traversed, 
and that the advantages were limited. But in the time that was spent there 
many ideas, preconceived and long established, were overthrown. The people 
of the South were not as we expected to find them. The country was not what 
our geography had taught us; the States were not as history pictures them. In 
short, we were disappointed in the South. That it was an agreeable disappoint- 
ment we are more than willing to acknowledge. That there is in the heart of 
the writer a better, a kindlier, a more brotherly feeling toward the country and 
the people who inhabit it than there was before, we say without reservation. 

In the first place our idea was that the immense appropriations made each 
year for the "improvement of the Mississippi," went into the hands of lobbyists 
and was a part of the general "divy" made by the congressmen when they put 
up their annual schemes. When we saw the great levees, the banks that hold 
the powerful waters of the whole of the central part of the continent, and when 
we learned, when we sazv, that the millions of acres of land, as rich and pro- 
ductive as the sun shines upon, would but for these levees be swamps 
and a wilderness, then we went right over to the enemy and became an 
ardent advocate of the theor}' of General Rice, and a supporter of the 
schemes for the "improvement of the Mississippi." And when we saw the 
great fields, lands as rich as the Delta of the Nile can furnish, lying uncultivated 
and barren, selling, if the}' sell at all, for prices as low as western land sells, 
when we learned that such lands when cultivated yielded the owners from $50 
to $100 an acre, we could but pause in astonishment and ask why they were not 
utilized. The Southerner has not yet learned the lesson that his Northern 
brother learned in his cradle. The Southern man does not yet earn his bread 
by the sweat of his brow, but he still depends upon the sweat of some other 
man's brow. This is not said in disparagement of the Southern man, but such 
lessons, hard and bitter, are not learned in the lifetime of a man. There are 
two things that can redeem the South: The first is that it have instilled into its 
veins the energetic, restless blood of the North ; the next that it change its own 
plans, its own life, and do that which the North has always done. The first is 



226 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

perhaps the better of the two, but a combination is the best of all. There is 
scarcely a foot of land in the whole South country but can be made productive. 
The swamps that discourage the Southern man may be made to yield fortunes. 
The uplands have already proved their worth. Cane, cotton, corn, anything, 
can be raised there. And the crops do not fail. Why, could the farmer of 
Kansas have the soil and the climate that the planter of Louisiana has, he would 
make a fortune every year, and be elected to Congress in the fall. It is not the 
desire of the Journal to make any man leave Kansas, but whenever a man here 
has made up his mind to go we advise him to write to Captain F. M. Welch, at 
New Iberia, Louisiana, and he will find that down in that country there is as 
good a chance to make a home and some money as he will find in any part of 
the country. And by the way, one thing learned while there was that those 
lands, unoccupied but excellent, can be had for from $8 to $15 an acre. 



Climate, soil, natural advantages of every kind, all unite in making parts of 
Louisiana the poor man's paradise. Here one man can thoroughly cultivate 
twenty or twenty-five acres of ground and force from a friendly soil more good 
hard dollars annually than in any other locality this writer has ever visited. 
Whether the small farmer turns his attention to either cane or rice the result is 
the same, and, under the latter-day and rapidly developing system of central 
plants for the treatment of either, his outlay is but trifling as compared with that 
of the Northern and Western farmer. If he raises cane the planting recurs but 
once in three years, the two remaining seasons being given over to volunteer 
crops, which almost, if not quite, equal the first trial. There is practically no 
end to the time in which he may save his crop, lor should frost visit his fields it 
but augments the yield of sap and makes the working the easier. During the 
hoeing or working season he must be diligent if he would prosper, for vegetation 
which blights and hinders and retards the growth of the cane is more rank and 
devastating than anj'thing we know of in this part of the country. After the 
cane is cut and laid in "windrows" he can then at his leisure haul it to one of 
the many mills whose smokestacks dot every eminence and have it converted 
into the finest sugar known to commerce. In the meantime there are no climatic 
rigors known which make living a burden and the raising of stock a hazardous 
enterprise. This is in fall and winter and early spring, the reader must re- 
member. What the summers would develop in the way of disease, insects or 
lasting and pitiless heat remains to be seen, though the inhabitants sa}' the ther- 
mometer never goes higher than eight^'-five or ninety. 

In the Teche country, about one hundred and twenty-five miles southwest of 
New Orleans, they have what in their pretty ignorance the inhabitants call "prai- 
ries and hills," but it makes a Kansas man smile in the palm of his hand to hear 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 227 

those little patches of grass called "prairies." What would they call our be- 
wildering distances, stretching further than eye can reach, unbroken by tree or 
shrub, and all waving in succulent blue-stem? Then their hills rise sheer from 
the plains to a height of sometimes thirty feet. A great country for " prairies 
and hills." 

The ladies never become weary of admiring the beautiful flowers which 
grow in almost every dooryard. Roses more perfect than any ever seen in this 
country were blooming out of doors, apparently forgetful that the month was 
December rather than May. Nearly every morning some kind friend or casual 
acquaintance made during the journey furnished flowers by the arm load, purify- 
ing the air in the car and filling it with delightful perfume. 



Within the space of a newspaper article it is altogether impossible to dwell 
at any length upon the many interesting features of this Louisiana Eden. Of 
the ancient town of St. Martin's, the Spanish Lake, St. John's, the floating 
island, the great salt mines, etc., only mere mention can be made. Each con- 
tributed no slight measurement to the pleasure of the Kansas tourists, and con- 
cerning which volumes might be written with profit to the reader. 

New Iberia and the thrifty towns of the Teche country are the forerunners 

of what the New South is to be. The tendency of immigration for years has 

been westward. But comparatively few people have heretofore thought of going 

south, notwithstanding the fact that many of the Southern States offer more 

alluring inducements to agriculturists. Heretofore, however, but little effort has 

been put forth by the Southern people to change the tide of immigration in their 

direction, Hence the thousands of foreigners, as well as our own people, have 

climbed over each other in their mad scramble to settle upon the bleak, barren, 

and often unproductive prairies of the northwestern territories, where droughts 

have annually blighted their crops and the rigors of winter have resulted in loss 

of live stock, while gaunt hunger is too frequently found sitting beside the hearth 

of the settler's dug-out. 

• 
» « 

Why should intelligent, reasonable people hasten to occupy a country 
where irrigation must be depended upon almost entirely for a necessary water 
supply, and where the winters are so severe that even the moderately well-to-do 
farmer finds it exceedingly difficult to get through from one season to another 
without serious losses, when Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Ten- 
nessee, and other Southern States have millions of acres of as productive soil as 
can be found out of doors, and that can be had almost for the mere asking? 
The reason is apparently plain. While the West and Northwest have been In 



228 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

the " booming" business for j-ears, the South has been pegging along at her 
usual slow pace, putting forth little or no effort to arouse the public to a proper 
appreciation of her many natural advantages. 

But a change is gradually taking place. The tide of immigration is surely 
setting in toward the Sunny South, and the next few years, perhaps, w.ll witness 
another northern invasion of that region-an invasion by men, women and chil- 
dren, bearing with them peace and good will instead of mahce ; agncultural imple- 
ments instead of implements of warfare-capital, enterprise and ingenuity will 
with them-and the old waste places, the long-neglected and deserted planta- 
tions and the dismal cypress swamps, will be made to bud and blossom with 
ripening crops. 

Then will that new era of peace, plenty and contentment that all good 
people have so long wished for, hoped for, prayed for, dawn upon Dixie s land, 
and the Mason and Dixon line be blotted out forever. So be it. 

Early Settlement. -Th^ early settlement of the parishes of St Landry, 
Lafayette and Calcasieu includes the early settlement, principally, of Acadia, 
as it was not made into an independent parish until so very recently Itis there- 
fore useless to go into the full details of the settlement of the parish, but will re- 
fer the reader to the surrounding parishes for the early settlement of this, 
the youngest in the State. 

Pertinent to the settlement of the parish, however, the following will be 
found of interest: Mr. Joseph Farbacher, of New Orleans, conceived the idea 
some years ago, about 1870-71, of colonizing this portion of the country with 
German immigrants. Mr. Farbacher had amassed a fortune before the war op- 
erating a distillery. Some years after the war, when the agitation of building a 
railroad (the Louisiana Western) through this section commenced, Mr. har- 
bacher, with the keen foresight characteristic of his people, saw nnmense tor- 
tunes for energetic husbandmen in the undeveloped resources of this rich do- 
main, whenever brought into cultivation and subjected to the uses of man. Un- 
der this belief he came here and entered a vast amount of land, with the inten- 
tion of putting a colony of German farmers on it. He built a large saw-miU 
upon his lands, and spent a great deal of money, with the expectation of getting 
the projected railroad through them. Finally, when the road wasbuilt, itmissed 
his lands some distance, which very materially upset his plans. Once when he 
was out here he witnessed some of the Acadian farmers planting rice in the mud, 
and upon making inquiries in regard to raising rice he determined to turn his 
attention to rice culture, and carry out his original intention of planting a Ger- 
man colony here. With this end in view he set to work, and in a short time had 
some dozen or more German families, direct from the "Faderland, located 




C^, C- /\yt^-t^^^-'=^^'<^ 



HiSTOnrCAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



2;n 



upon his possessions in what is now 
the following lines : 

"Sav! why seek yea distant land? 

The nectar vale has wine and corn; 
Dark pines in your Black Forest stand, 

In Spessert sounds the Alpine horn. 
" How, when in distant woods forlorn, 

Ye for jour naiive hills will pine, 
For De-itschland's golden fields of corn, 

And verdant hills of clustering vine. 

" How will the image of the past, 

Through all your dreams in brightness roll. 
And like some pious legends cast 

A vail of sadness o'er your soul. 

"The boatmen beckons — go in peace! 

May God preserve you, man and wife 
Your fields of rice and maize increase, 

And with his blessings crown your life!" 



Acadia parish. Appropriate to them are 



"O, sprecht! warum zogt ihr von dannen? 

D.)s nt-ckarthal hat Wein und Korn; 
Der Schwarzwald steht voll finstrer Tannen, 

Im Spessart klingt des Alplers Horn. 

" Wie wird es in den fremden Waldern, 
Euch nach der Heimathberge Griin, 

Nach Deutschland's gelben Weizenfeldern, 
Nach seinen Rebenhiigeln ziehn. 

" Wie wird das Bild der alten Tage, 

Durch eure Traume glanzend wehn! 

Gleich einer stillen, frommen Sage 
Wird es euch vor der Seele Stehn. 

"DerBootsmann winkt — Zieht hin in Frieden ! 

Gottscliiitz' euch, Mann und Weib undGries- 
Sei Freude eurer Brust beschieden, 

Und euren Feldern Reis und Mais!" 



Tearing themselves away from their friends, they crossed "the rolling 
deep" for a home in "the land of the free," as thousands and thousands of their 
countrymen hud done before them. They are now among the prosperous farm- 
ers of Acadia parish, and rank among the leading rice growers of Southwestern 
Louisiana. 

Introduction of Rice Culture. — -To Mr. Farbacher, therefore, is due the 
credit of introducing rice culture into this section of the State, and carrying it 
through to success. He himself cultivated the first large field of rice ever 
grown in Southwestern Louisiana. He brought here the first machine for 
threshing rice. It was of the primitive class, drawn from place to place by 
oxen, and the power, when it was in operation, was furnished by oxen. From 
this small, insignificant beginning has grown the present successful industry — 
rice culture. The writer called on Mr. Farbacher in New Orleans, and from 
his own mouth learned the above facts, which he has liere transcribed as a mat- 
ter of interest in the history of the parish. 

A recent writer says of this section as a rice-growing country: Southwest 
Louisiana is a natural rice country by climate and peculiar nature of soil, with 
hard cla\' subsoil, almost impervious to water, solid enough for the best 
machinery (rainfall enough for the crop if gathered as it can be, and in most 
cases without machinery). Attention is called to the practicability of a system of 
canals for drainage and irrigation, beginning at the headwaters and running 
south through our prairies, furnishing channels for drainage and water for irri- 
gation. The possible yield of rice is over thirty barrels or one hundred and 
twenty bushels per acre, at an average value of $3 per barrel. An average yield 
15 



232 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

is ten barrels, value $30, raised at a cost of $1 per barrel, leaving $20, or five 
cent, upon $400 per acre. With a fair system of irrigation and thorough culti- 
vation tliere will be an average profit of $40 to $50 per acre, or 5 per cent, upon 
$800 to $1000 per acre. In 1888 the State averaged fifteen barrels per acre. 

To show the value of machinery to this crop, six acres can be harvested at 
even less expense than one acre by hand. Four years ago, without machinery, 
about two hundred and fifty car loads were shipped to New Orleans between 
Lake Charles and Lafayette. Last year (machinery used in harvesting) there 
were shipped nearly one thousand cars from the same points, and a conservative 
estimate for the present season is that more than two thousand cars will be 
moved between these points. 

Hay Making. — But rice is not the only crop worthy of attention in South- 
west Louisiana. It is certainlj' about as valuable as any that can be grown here, 
but there are others that may be made profitable with a little exertion and slight 
expense. For instance, hay farming is becoming a valuable industry. Few 
crops can be handled more easily. A writer upon this subject thus gives his 
experience in cutting ha}- from the prairies: " Previous to the year 1885 it ap- 
pears there was no attempt made to put any of this hay on the market. In looking 
over these prairies, in the spring of that year, for a new home for myself and 
family, I was surprised to find such a bulk of grass lying and rotting on the 
ground. Thinking there must be some value in it (the following summer) I de- 
cided, with the help of my two sons, to cut some of it for hay and put it on the 
market. Having procured some necessary implements we cut and stacked about 
eighty tons. At first sight things did not look very encouraging. Hay not known 
on the market, no baling press within perhaps hundreds of miles, no rate fixed 
on railway, and other drawbacks. Fortunately another mnn came along looking 
up a home, and seeing what we were doing decided to come back and bring a 
bailing press with him. This enabled us to put this, our first hay, ready for 
shipment. 

After this a rate was applied for to New Orleans on the Southern Pacific 
road, but none came until the first car was loaded and billed to that city, when a 
telegram arrived, giving a rate of $40 per car. This rate was reduced on sub- 
sequent shipments to $30. And be it said to the credit of the railway officials, 
this rale is now reduced to $25. 

The returns for this first car load was anxiously looked for, not only b}' our- 
selves, but by a great many of the people in and around Jennings, who did not 
look upon this project or new enterprise with much favor. At length tlie returns 
came, giving the price made in New Orleans, $11 50 per ton. Now for the cost. 
Baling, $2 50; freight, $4; weighing, inspecting and commission, $1 50; total, 
if 8: leaving $3 50 for our labor to cut, stack and deliver on car. Taking all 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 233 

things into consideration, tins may be called a fair beginning. Other car loads 
the same season gave about the bame results. 

As it has often been said that nothing succeeds Hke success, we determined 
to try again the following season, having induced some neighbors to join in with 
us. We put in some of the best machinery to cut, gather and stack our hay; 
also a baling press. We cut and stacked upward of 200 tons. Other parties 
began cutting and stacking, making within a radius of four miles some 600 tons 
for shipment. Another baling press was brought in, making three altogether. 

This hay, where put up with care and judgment, has found a ready sale 
at $7.50 to $10. Now, let us see the results. Cutting and stacking, $1.25; 
baling, $2; delivering on board cars, 75 cents.; total, $4; leaving a net profit 
of $4 per ton. Putting this hay at the low average of one and three quar- 
ter tons per acre, this will give a net profit of $7 per acre. This is keeping 
well within the mark, as the greater part of these prairies will, without doubt- 
cut two tons and upward per acre. As this hay becomes better known, it will 
no doubt command a much higher price. There is no fear of these grasses dy- 
ing out either from mowing or grazing, as there are upward of thirty different 
species that propagate themselves, either from seeds, joints or roots, some of 
the best varieties from each source. These prairies being perfectly smooth and 
level, no obstructions whatever, reduces the wear and tear of machinery to the 
lowest minimum point. 

The season for haying is so prolonged, extending from June to November, 
giving ample time to secure it. The weather (speaking from the two last sea- 
sons) is all that can be desired. The fall and winter months are dry and cool 
for baling and shipping, and will give profitable employment for many hands. 

We have said so much in this volume of the climate, resources and capa- 
bilities of Southwestern Louisiana that it seems almost superfliuous to say an)'- 
thing further. We have endeavored to demonstrate that this is a wonderful 
country, a productive and healthy country and a pleasant country in which to 
live. In this parish and the adjoining one of Calcasieu are many people who 
came here from the North and Northwest for various reasons — mostly for the rich 
lands and mild climate, and are doing well. They are well satisfied with the 
change they have made, and few of them, perhaps, could be hired for a reason- 
able sum to return to the land of the snow and the blizzard. One more brief 
extract, and we will pass to the other points of interest. We quote as follows: 

" This country, partly prairie, partly heavily timbered, lies directly on the 
line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, in a climate of the most even temperature; 
therefore, it is one of the healthiest; and, as it is conceded that three-fourths of 
all diseases originate from taking cold, we are happily free from those diseases 
and ailments peculiar to the variable climate of most of the Northern States. 
There are no diseases peculiar to this country. Malaria is in a very light form 



234 SO U77/ 1 1 JiS T LO UISIA NA : 

iiloiij; rivers, but ihe prairies are tree from it, owing to the gulf breezes and ex- 
cellent water. Water, generally soft, is found in quantities throughout this en- 
tire section, in wells twelve to twenty feet in depth. These lands are high 
above overflow — sixty or more feet above the gulf, and forty feet above the 
river Mermenteau. This is the best country for roads we ever lived in. The 
land, thickly set with best native grasses, is easily broken up, easy to cultivate, 
as tools polish or scour readily ; soil, a clay loam with clay subsoil. The prai- 
ries are too high to overflow and too flat to wash. 

" Stock-raising is now a leading industry, and all stock came through the 
past winter with a loss not exceeding one per cent. Twelve thousand sheep, 
sixteen thousand horses and eighty thousand cattle were wintered in Calcasieu 
parish alone. They are never fed or cared for, and are better than the scrub 
stock of the North, and winter better than Northwestern stock, which is housed 
and fed for six months. We have had fresh beef off this prairie every week 
during the winter. Fruit raising will be one of the leading industries in two 
years' time. Peaches bear at two years, and have been known to bear almost 
consecutively for forty years, varieties maturing from May to November. The 
stump of a peach tree, eight years old, three feet in circumference, was taken 
from this parish to the American Exposition, New Orleans. Quinces, figs, pears, 
nectarines, olives, plums and pomegranates do equally as well. California raises 
the same fruits on high-priced lands, with expensive irrigation, and ships them 
past our doors and to our markets, with the freights largely against them. 
There is a settlement of five thousand Iowa people, who have taken part of 
Calcasieu prairie forty miles square, all of which was United States and State 
lands; and there are government lands, besides Spanish grants, along the 
streams, on sale, at from $3 to $7 per acre. We think there are fifty thousand 
acres of State lands for sale and subject to homestead claims in Calcasieu and 
St. Landry counties (or parishes, as called here), with United States and State 
land oflices located at New Orleans and Baton Rouge. 

"The climate is justly called perpetual spring. We will give in brief the 
advantages: We have even and sufficient distribution of rain (about fifty 
inches) during the entire year. We are entirely surrounded with heavy timber, 
except south to the gulf: have very light northers; the most delicate fruits 
amply protected; soil easily worked and broken: seaboard markets; cheap 
lumber; wood at nominal price, and little needed; lumber five to twenty dollars 
per thousand; plenty of water for stock and easily obtained everywhere in wells 
and running streams. The country is well adapted to a division into small farms, 
thereby making the locations for churches and schools as easily accessible as 
may be desired. Each scholar is entitled to two dollars monthly from public 
fund. Mosquitoes, flies and reptiles are not more numerous and troublesome 
than North. Mr. Carv, is first of the settlement : came March 31, 1S83. The 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 235 

rest came scattering over tlie entire season. Nearly all have been improved 
in health; many invalids came; kidney and lung diseases have been bene- 
fited; almost all diseases arising from frequent colds are relieved at once; 
catarrh never originated here, and most cases from the North have been 
btnented or cured. The death rate, siv to one thousand, is the lowest in the 
States. We were well received by the natives, who are better off than the 
same number of farmers North, being quite general!}' out of debt, and have land 
or stock. Any man who works with judgmentgets rich. Northern men become 
more ambitious here, and work with safety and comfort the year round. July 
4, 1883, thermometer 88° here; St. Paul 90; in Decorah, Iowa, 104°; Beards- 
town, Illinois, 107°. Ninety-two is extreme heat here; tvvent\- degrees above, 
extreme cold. Invalids should come, and old folks also. It is a land of easy 
conditions. Five hundred dollars will make a family more comfortable than 
two thousand dollars in Dakota or in the ' Golden Northwest.' It is an esti- 
mate of a good stock man here that a four-year-old steer costs one dollar and 
sells for twenty dollars. Horace Greeley said: 'It costs less to raise a steer 
in Texas than a hen in Massachusetts.' We are out of the storm belt; have 
few storms, less lightning and no cyclones. The winds leave the pole and here 
at the same time and meet in Kansas and lovva, have a fierce battle, and each 
returns and rests up for a new fight. The principal crops now are sweet and 
Irish potatoes, corn and rice. Rice is raised at about the same expense as wheat 
in the North; can be sown and harvested with same machinery, and the average 
value of the crop is more than double. Average yield twelve and one-half bar- 
rels per acre ; one hundred and sixty-two pounds per barrel, valued at three 
dollars per barrel, rough. Expense of raising, ten dollars per acre. Health 
heads a long list of good things here." 

Organization of the Parish. — An act to create the parish of Acadia, etc. : 
Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Louis- 
iana, that a new parish in the State of Louisiana be and the same is hereby 
created out of the southwestern portion of the parish of St. Landry, to be 
called and known as the parish of Acadia; that the said parish of Acadia shall 
be composed of all that territory of the said parish of St. Landr3% comprised 
within the following boundaries, to-wit: All that portion of territory lying and 
being south and west of a line beginning on the west boundary of St. Landry 
parish, at its intersection with the township line between townships 6 and 7 south ; 
thence in an easterly direction on township lines between townships 6 and 7 to 
the northeast corner of section 3 in township 7 south, range 2 east; thence 
in a southerly direction on section lines about three miles to the corner common 
to sections 14, 15, 22, 23; thence in an easterly direction about four miles to a 
point in section 29, in township 7 south, range 3 east, where the section lines, if 



236 SOl'TH WEST L OUISIANA : 

run, would make the corner common to sections i6, 17, 20, 21 ; thence in a 
soutl-.erly direction across section 29 and following section lines about six miles 
to the corner common to sections 16, 17, 20, 21 in township 18 south, range 3 
east, thence in an easterly direction between sections 16 and 20 one mile ; thence 
two miles in a westerly direction on section lines between sections 21 and 22 and 
between sections 27 and 28 ; thence one mile in an easterly direction to the cor- 
ner common to sections 26, 27, 34, 35; thence about two miles in a southerly 
direction to the di\ision line between the parishes of Lafayette and St. Landry: 
thence following the division line as now established between the parishes of 
St. Landr)' and Lafayette and St. Landry and Vermilion to the existing bound- 
ary between the parishes of St. Landry and Calcasieu; thence on existing west 
boundary of St. Landry parish to the starting point aforesaid. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That the seat of tlie parish of Acadia 
shall be and remain at a point to be determined upon by an election to be held 
for that and other purposes after this act shall have become a law; that the 
parish of Acadia shall form a part of the Thirteenth Judicial District; that the 
judge of said district shall hold regular terms of his court for said parish of 
Acadia; shall, until otherwise provided, form a part of the Twelfth Senatorial 
and the Sixth Congressional Districts of the State, etc., and so on through thir- 
teen sections, which are not material. 

H. W. Ogden, 

Approved: Speaker House of Representatives. 

January 30, 1886. Charles Knobloch, 

A copy. Lieut. Gov. and President of Senate. 

Oscar Arroyo, S. D. McEnery, 

Secretary of State. Governor of the State of Louisiana. 

Under the above act the parish was organized, the requisite machinery was 
set in motion and it was started on its journey as an independent municipality. 
It is still moving on, gathering force and vitality as it goes, and will overtake 
some of its older sisters yet unless they wake up and stir themselves. 

Parish Officers. — The following are the civil officers of Acadia parish at 
the last report of the Secretary of State. There may have been some change 
since, as the report is issued biennially : 

Raymond T. Clark, clerk of the district court; Eldridge W. Lyon, sheriff; 
George E. Brooks, coroner; David B. Lyons, tax assessor: Louis R. Deputy, 
inspector of weights and measures; Leon V. Fremaux. surveyor; H. W. 
Anding, treasurer. 

Justices of the Peace for the first ward : E. O. Burner and Joseph 
Falion; second ward, Westley F. Stokes: third ward, Henry D. McBride; 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 237 

fourth ward, Sam. Cart; fifth ward, Andrew Henr}-: sixth ward, S. W. Young: 
seventh ward, Alex. C. Larinand ; eighth ward, J. W. Spears. 

The Constables are : A. N. Lyon and M. Arceneaux, first ward; Milton F. 
Laughlin, second ward; E. J. Daigle, third ward; Samuel Cart, fourth ward; 
John Dahon, fifth ward ; S. M. Hundley, sixth ward; Louis Morris, seventh 
ward; Gerrasin Meche, eighth ward. 

The Police Jurors are as follows: For first ward, Benson J. Harmon; sec- 
ond ward, Paul E. Fremaux; third ward. Melors J. Doucet; fourth ward, 
Homer Barouse; fifth ward, Bennett E. Clark, president. 

Notaries Public are: Charles A. Beroddin, R. H. Bull, P.J. Chappus, 
Samuel Cart, John Wesley Young, W. W. Duson. John O. Levayne, H. D. 
McBride, William Clarin, Joseph Hops. 

Terms of court are held — jury terms — in April and November; civil terms 
to begin January i6 and end January 21 of each year. 

Post-offices are Cartville, Churcli Point, Crowley, Evangeline, Farbacher. 
Mermenteau, Millersville, Plaquemine Brulee, Prud'homme and Rayne. 

The court house of Acadia parish is a handsome, two-story brick structure, 
recently built, containing offices, court rooms, etc. It cost twelve thousand dol- 
lars, and is an ornament to the parish and a monument to the people and their 
enterprise. The parish jail cost four thousand dollars, and is a commodious and 
substantial building. 

Parish Seat. — Crowley is a new town, which has sprung into existence since 
the formation of the parish. It is already well known throughout the State, and 
in many other places that are not in the State, and, perhaps, never will be. Its 
business men are public spirited and are united on all questions of public im- 
portance. The town was incorporated in 1888, under the laws of the State, and 
within the last year or two has made five thousand feet of plank sidewalk. The 
Methodist church, completed in 1889, is a fine building, and cost about two 
thousand five hundred dollars. Ground was donated for a school house, and a 
good, substantial building has been erected on it. An excellent graded school is 
taught for the usual term each year. 

The situation of Crowley on the Southern Pacific Railroad gives it advan- 
tageous communication with the outside world, and the distance it is from 
Lafayette (about twenty-five miles) and Lake Charles (about fifty miles) must 
necessarily make it a heavy shipping point. It being also about the centre of 
the parish greatly adds to its business interests. A great many Northern and 
Western people have settled in and around Crowley and their push and enter- 
prise are being seen and felt in the entire community. 

Acadia College is situated at Crowley, the parish seat of Acadia parish. 
In addition to its natural beauty, healthfulness and accessibility from all parts of 



•2.1.S SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

the countrv. which make it so desirable as u location for a college, it has all the 
quiet and retirement ot the country, while the whole atmosphere of the place 
favors honest, thorough educational work. 

The college has six excellent buildings, sufficient for the accommodation of 
a large number of students. The main building is two-story, 50x120 feet, with 
two wings, one of which is two-story, 24x36 feet, and the other 24x48 feet. 
This building is pleasantly located and divided into convenient, well ventilated 
and liglUed rooms, amply supplied with good furniture. The upper story of 
this building will be used exclusively for the accommodation of the m.itron, lady 
teachers, and the girls of the boarding department. A large two-story building 
of twenty rooms, now under process of erection, will be occupied exclusively by 
the male boarders. These, with the other buildings mentioned, will furnish 
excellent accommodations for the various departments of the college and for 
a large number of boarders. 

Boai'ding in College. — Parents and tutors can not very easily overestimate 
the importance of boarding their children and wards in the college. Here they 
are not exposed to inclement weather, they lose no time on account of rainy 
days, they entertain no company, are under the constant care of judicious teach- 
ers and are subjected to regulations that are conducive to good health, diligent 
study and regular and systematic habits. Upon entering the school they become 
members of the president's family, and, under his supervision, the care of their 
domestic life is placed in the hands of those whose duty it is to look after their 
manners and habits, to secure from them faithfulness in the performance of dut}' 
and to maintain an oversight over all their interests. We seek to provide for 
our boarders a bright, happy. Christian home, where "teachers and pupils may- 
sit at the same table, worship at the same altar and mingle in the same social 
circle," and where everything is made to contribute to the faithful performance 
of every school duty. While a close and disagreeable system of espionage will 
not be enforced, assiduous care will be exercised over the manners, habits and 
language of the pupils. Young ladies will not be permitted to receive private 
visits from young gentlemen; but such society and agreeable entertainment will 
be afforded them as a proper regard for the circumstances and aims of school 
life and the best interests of the pupils may demand. A generous table, sup- 
plied with wholesome, well prepared food, will be kept at all times. The rooms 
are furnished with all that may be necessary for the comfort and proper care of 
the student. In sickness students will be assigned to a room reserved for the 
sick, where they can receive the constant and faithful care of the matron, and 
where they will be free from disturbances and intrusions. Meals will be served 
them there, but will not be sent to private bedrooms. 

As our patronage is drawn from the best families of the land, the associa 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 239 

tions of our pupils are of a most pleasant and desirable character. In addition 
to the special lessons in Etiquette, every effort will be made on the part of the 
Faculty, by precept and example, to mould the character of our pupils into a 
Jiigh type of social manhood or womanhood. Such discipline will be used with 
our girls as tends to develop tlie true womanliness which makes a young lady 
an ornament to society and a blessing to the household. 

A most excellent system adopted is that of uniforms. It promotes economy 
and prevents extravagance and rivalry in dress. Hence all the students are re- 
quired to wear the college uniform on public occasions. The military uniform 
for boys consists of navy blue coat and cap and gray pants with blue stripe. In 
a wreath oa the front of the cap are letters "A. C." These suits are furnished 
at actual cost. All male students must provide themselves with this uniform, 
•unless excused by the president for good cause. 

The uniform for girls must conform to the following requirements: 

1. For winter — Dress of navy blue cashmere, with trimmings of light blue 
surah silk. For the neck, plain linen collar. A heavy black wrap or cloak for 
cold weather. Cap, dark navy blue. Style of dress: Directory coat, with vest, 
collar and cuffs of light blue silk. Front of skirt accordion or knife pleated. 

2. For Spring — Dress of white cross-barred muslin, trimmed with the 
same material, full skirt and blouse waist and sailor collar. 

Co-Ediication — The co-education of the sexes is a question of interest, 
and of recent years has provoked wide discussion. It is still a question that is 
not settled to the satisfaction of all. Acadia College, in its last catalogue, thus 
presents its views on the subject: 

"Co-education is no longer an experiment. Its superiority over the old 
•monastic system of separating the sexes is an established fact. He who said 
'It is not good for man to be alone,' has associated the sexes together in families 
and in communities. The effort to contravene God's appointment in the organi- 
zation of our schools must fail of success, and leading educators have come to 
realize this fact and are fast adjusting themselves to the situation. Less than 
twenty-five years ago there were only three co-education colleges in the world; 
now there are over two hundred, while the very large majority of the public 
schools are co-educational. President Robinson, of Brown University, one of 
the oldest and best colleges in the United States, after a careful consideration of 
the reasons for and against co-education, concludes that the arguments urged 
against it are 'mere prejudices against co-education,' and advises the trustees of 
the university as follows : 'In view of both sides of the question, therefore, I 
would recommend that some kind of provision be made for the education of 
young women by Brown University,' etc. Dr. J. B. Gambrell of Mississippi, 
speaking of the proposition before the trustees of Vanderbilt University to admit 



240 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

girls to the course of study, sa3-s, 'Why not? God has placed the bo3's and girls 
together in the same families, and we respectfully submit that the Creator has 
made no mistake.' The president of the Northern Indiana Normal School, whose 
matriculations number over two thousand students a year, says, 'A true educa- 
tion is accomplished more fully by co-education of the sexes.' President Hol- 
brook, of national reputation as a teacher and author, says: 'A true education of 
both sexes is accomplished more vigorously, harmoniously and certainly by their 
mutual stimulus and sympathy during the course of study." He gives the result 
of ten years' test trial in these words: 'The result fully justifies the experiment. 
It is in every way a success.' Dr. R. C. Burleson, the venerable president of 
Baylor — Waco University, says : 'I am confident in ten years more there can not 
be found a well-informed man in Tex.is who will oppose co-education.' These 
opinions from our best and most experienced educators could be extended 
almost indefinitely, but we have not space for more. No reputable educator 
who has tested it will question the superiority of co-education." 

* * 

The American, of Lake Charles, January 15. 1890, says this of the Acadia 
College : 

Here, then, is an institution of learning which first saw the dawn of light 
September 21, enrolling a fair number of pupils, and ere the first term had 
closed it had increased twofold. Knowing, as we do, of the features which so 
predominate in the college, viz: culture, refinement, mental and moral training, 
success can not but attend its efforts. And there is every reason to believe that 
the coming term, December 31, will open under the most favorable auspices. 
Christmas, robed in her gaudy plumage, carrying her tina lina heavenward, has 
brought to our people this year joy more substantial and happiness more com- 
plete than ever before. 

Education, having asserted its rights, and in commemoration of its victory, 
seeing a fitness in the locality and surroundings of Crowley, has established a 
seat of learning from which the highest type of culture and exalted standard of 
requirements will radiate over this favored domain of Louisiana. We want the 
sons and daughters of this fair land to drink deep of the Pyerian spring now 
open to them, and join us in oppressing ignorance which arises on every side. 
Glorious as is our Republic, there is yet one dangerous element, viz: the ignor- 
ance of so large a number of its masses. Under a free government, among an 
ignorant population there will always be abuses. If we wait until a garrison has 
been placed against every possible abuse we shall wait until eternity engulfs us 
within its bosom. 

What that was which attracted the sagacious eye of him who looked into 
the future with a wise and discerning glance, and what was his object, may be 
fully demonstrated now by one who will visit this place. The verdict of stu- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 241 

dents, visitors and professors bears evidence of the sagacity of tlie founder of 
this seat of learning, viz: President W. M. Reese, Ph. D. Patrons and friends 
who have visited this college and had occasion to be present at recitations in the 
several departments are loud in their praise of the progress of the pupils, and 
the complete corps of teachers composing its faculty. We realize that there is 
now a responsibility placed upon us more sacred in character than ever before. 
Why can not our children, under the auspices of institutions like this, so im- 
prove the present that in some distant day it may be said that they have attained 
tliat noble elevation of mind. Happy are we who can look forward with hope 
and inward assurance, can see glimpses of the green fields opening beyond for 
them. Geology, which has been sobered into wisdom by the present age and 
experience, whose noblest and truest professor was Moses, is still reveling amid 
her flora and deciphering by the Rosetta Stone of Revelation the hieroglyphic 
symbols of God, proud amid the ruins of her temple, at the same time bids us 
throw aside the veil of ignorance and dive into her profound truths. Geograph}- 
has thrown open her vast domain of earth and ocean. So, to investigate care- 
fully God's material universe, which he has proffered to man as a perpetual 
study, the mind must be developed. Let us, then, rally to the maintenance of 
this institution of learning, and under the presidency of Dr. Reese, one of our 
brainiest, most active and practical of Southern educators, Acadia College will 
be second to none in the South. 

As a conclusion to this sketch of Acadia College, the following from the pen 
of the present president. Prof. T. C. Cherry, is here given : The first term 
of Acadia College opened September 24, 1891, with Dr. W. M. Reese president. 
and wiih an attendance of only forty pupils. In January, 1890, Dr. Reese 
resigned the presidency of the college, and Prof. T. C. Cherry was unanimous- 
ly elected by the board to fill the vacancy. At the time Doctor Reese resigned 
his position the school was greatly in debt and it seemed upon the verge of 
destruction. Through the timely assistance of several liberal, enterprising men, 
it was given another tooting, and since that time has made marvelous strides 
toward a grand success. It sustains ten departments and has a present patron- 
age of 165 pupils. New and magnificent buildings are to be erected by the 
opening of the fall session of 1891. The school is now figuring as one of the 
prominent educational institutions in Southwestern Louisiana, and bids fair at 
no distant day to take the lead as a school of extraordinary merit. It is beau- 
tifully located in a healthful and fertile district. It is coeducational and non- 
sectarian. Its courses are very thorough and practical. 

Rayne, situated on the Southern Pacific Railroad, is perhaps a larger town 
than Crowley ; it is an older one, having been founded long before the parish 
was created. It has schools, churches, a number of hotels, stores and business 
houses, etc., and is a shipping point for a large scope of rich country. It also 



•242 S()r7'II\Vj:ST LOUIS/. WA: 

has a spn<;htly newspaper — Tlie Acadia Sentinel — published by Mr. Oscar L. 
Alpha, whicli is an evidence of its thrift and prosperitv. There are several 
other small villages in the parish. 

There are so many erronous impressions prevailing among Northern people 
as to the status of the negro in the South, that we feel disposed to give an in- 
stance or two, hoping tliey rnay find their way North, which will serve to show 
that the negroes are not hunted, shot down and scalped, as once was the custom 
among the American pioneers and the Indians, but on the contrary, the relations 
between the races are quite amicable. The instances referred to are those of 
negroes owning and working the lands upon which they once labored as slaves, 
and supporting their former masters and mistresses free — "without money and 
without price," having built them small houses in which to pass in ease their 
few remaining years. The writer was informed by a Catholic priest in this 
section that several such instances could be given within the compass of his 
acquaintance, where the old people were supported, if not in luxury, in comfort 
by their former slaves. There is no shotgun policy in that. It is free and 
voluntary on the part of the negroes. But there are those in the North who 
would hardly believe these things if they saw them. They are like the sinners 
of old, who had "Moses and the prophets, and, as they heeded not them, would 
not be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." — Perrin. 




CHAPTER X. 

Parish of Vermilion — Topography and Description — Soils and Crops — 
Agricultural Statistics — Fruit Culture — Pecan Island — 
Shadowy Traditions Concerning Tr — Opinion of. an Ex-Gov- 
ernor—Settlement of the Parish — Act Organizing the Parish 
— Town of Abbeville — Change of Parish Seats — The Catholic 
Church — The Seat of Justice Finally Located — Abbeville In- 
corporated — Business Men's Directory — Perry's Bridge — Mili- 
tary History — The War of 1812 — Soldiers in the Late War — 
Schools — The Bench and Bar — Benevolent Societies, Etc. 

"Like gladsome gales on Orient seas, 
With odors blown from isle and coast, 
From fragrant shores we felt the breeze 
That whispered of the Eden lost." — Southern Poetess. 



ECURRENCES of the past, with the recollections and associations whicli 
make it pass in life-like review before our mental vision, especially 
when they connect themselves with incidents reflected back from our 
own experiences. These reminders vanish with the life of the participants, 
where no landmarks remain to save us the pictures faintly delineated in the 
tablets of memory. To preserve these from forgetfulness before they have lost 
their distinguishing originality is the work devolved upon the historian. 
History fails in its great mission when it fails to preserve the life features of the 
subjects committed to its trust. 

Local history, more than anv other, commands the most interested attention, 
for the reason that it is a record of events in which we have a peculiar interest, 
as many of the participants traveled the rugged and thorn\- pathway of life as 
our companions, acquaintances and relatives. The parish of Vermilion is the 
last one sketched in this volume, though it is by no means least in wealth and 
importance. It comes last in the list perhaps because it is written in "the book 
of the law and testimony " that "the last shall be first and the first shall be last." 
Vermilion is one of the richest parishes in Southwest Louisiana, though a con- 
siderable portion of it is sea marsh. Even that, when reclaimed by tlie proper 
drainage, will make the very finest of rice lands. It lies on the gulf coast, with 
the parish of Cameron bounding it on the west, Acadia and Lafayette parishes 
on the north, and with Iberia parish, Vermilion Bay and Marsh Island on the 



•244 S0UTHWES7' L O UISIANA : 

east. It has about eleven hundred and fifty square miles, and some ten tliou- 
sand inhabitants. 

Topogra-phy and General Descriflion. — Vermilion parish is generally level 
of surface, with considerable prairie and sea marsh. Not more than four or five 
hundred square miles is tillable woodland, prairie and cypress swamp. About 
one quarter of the tillable land is on the east side of the Vermilion River, and about 
three-quarters on the west side, extending to Lake Arthur and the Vermilion. The 
timbered land is principally on the Vermilion River, extending on both banks 
from the Lafayette line nearly to Vermilion Bay. The timber is narrow above 
Abbeville, but it becomes broader below the town, extending out a mile and a 
half on each side in places. Below Abbeville there is a creek on the west of 
the river lined with a heavy body of timber, and there is another on the east 
side, the line of forest trees extending across the New Iberia and Abbeville 
ro;ul. There is a line of cypress timber on land a little higher than the prairie 
at the edge of the sea marsh, north of Marsh Lake, twelve miles long and three- 
quarters of a mile wide. And there are islands of timber in the edge of the sea 
marsh east of Vermilion River. 

Soil and Crops. — The soil of this parish is a dark vegetable mould, with a 
large proportion of sand, from eight to twelve inches deep. This rests on a 
subsoil of gra3'ish cla3^ The soil along the Vermilion River has a larger pro- 
portion of sand than that further back; this gives the soil a lighter color. On 
account of the larger proportion of sand here than in the Teche lands these fields 
are more easily cultivated, and the roads need but little working — in most in- 
stances none at all — to keep them good the year round. The bottom of ponds 
and ditches are not boggy. One may pass over any of them on horseback 
without any inconvenience to the horse or rider. There are natural ponds in all 
these prairies, where the stock cattle are supplied with water. These ponds are 
from twenty to fift}' yards in diameter. 

Being forciblv struck with the convenience of those natural ponds, as they 
are called by the residents, I made inquiry as to whether they had been made for 
reservoirs for the purpose of holding the supply for the stock during the dry 
season. The only answer I received was, " they had no recollection of any of 
them being made by the hand of man." Prairie Gregg, which lies next to the 
sea marsh southeast of Abbeville, is a beautiful sheet of land, level and rich, the 
soil darker than that east of Abbeville. The gulf breezes sweep over it unin- 
terrupted by forest trees. There are but few of the old inhabitants here who 
cultivate their land to any extent, relying principally on fruits, poultry and 
stock raising, which yield them a revenue with which they seem to be perfectly 
satisfied. 

Viewed from an elevated position of the Queue Tortue, half way between 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 245 

the Vermilion and Lake Arthur, the scenery is the most perfect of its kind that 
fancy can describe. Facing the south, one may here turn to the right or to the 
left, and as far as the eye can reach there is one vast extent of natural meadow. 
Here and there may be seen a herd of cattle or horses, almost hidden in some 
places by the tall natural grass. The prairies east, west and south are dotted with 
little groves of trees, which shade the cottages of the resident population, who 
live principally by hunting, fishing and stock raising. 

The soil is good for sugar cane, cotton, rice, potatoes, and all the products 
of the Attakapas parishes. The yield of cotton is not as large per acre as in 
higher latitudes. The parish is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of rice. It 
may become the leading rice parish in the State. Large yields of sugar have 
been grown in the parish; as large as three thousand pounds have been pro- 
duced; from eight hundred to one thousand pounds of rice. The capacity of 
the soil is strong, but has been neglected on account of the great attention paid 
to stock raising. Oxen are generally used in breaking up new ground, and Cre- 
ole or native horses in cultivating it. They are not put to work until the grass 
rises in March, since but few of them are fed on hay or corn. 

It is surprising to see so little attention paid to making hay, when it could be 
gathered in great abundance. Millions of tons are trampled under foot and go 
to waste, for the number of cattle that are raised in this section can not consume 
the great quantity of grass in the growing season. Agriculture has received less 
attention here than in the other parishes. Good well water can be had in this 
section at a depth varying from twenty to thirty feet. A large quantity of poultry 
and eggs are shipped to the New Orleans market from this section. This parish 
abounds in wild game, such as duck, geese, brent, quail, wild hogs, prairie hen 
and deer 

Agricultural statistics from the assessor's books, given below, will be found 
of interest to the reader for 1885: Acres of land in the parish, 677,667; un- 
cultivated, 653,732; cultivated, 23,955; acres in cane, 1675; in cotton, 6830 
in rice, 930; in corn, 13,840; in potatoes, 660. Yielding the following prod- 
ucts: 462 barrels of molasses, 462 hogshead of sugar, 1082 bales of cotton 
303 barrels of rice, 121,269 bushels of corn, 17,700 bushels of sweet potatoes 
In 1889 there was produced 2755 bales of cotton, 1962 barrels of rice, 287,696 
bushels of corn, 14,540 bushels of potatoes. In 1890: 2600 barrels of 
molasses, 1500 hogsheads of sugar, 2750 barrels of sugar, 2750 bales of cotton 
3924 barrels of rice, 32,151 bushels of corn, 14,600 bushels ot sweet potatoes 
Value of live stock in parish in 1890, $360,371; total assessment of property in 
parish, $1,805,662. 

F'ruit Culture. — Vermilion parish grows fine peaches. The soil on the 
banks of most of the bayous and in much of the prairie, is admirably 
adapted to this fruit. And the general appearance of the peach trees justifies 



2 Ifi SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

this conclusion. Oranges and the mespilus do well in the lower part of the 
parish. This section of country as yet is in its infancy as regards the planting, 
fertilizing, pruning and cultivation of fruit trees. It is evident to our mind that 
the past year's experience has benefited every one in Southwest Louisiana in 
fruit culture. One fact has been demonstrated, we think, to the satisfaction of 
every one — the planting of fruit trees of every variety on perfectly drained 
soil. This is the first thing to be looked after when you determine to plant an 
orchard. The drainage should be perfect, and if tile is used, so much the 
better, as it has a tendency to give warmth to the soil to the depth of the tile. 
The next thing is tlie cultivation and fertilization. The cultivation should be 
principally to keep down weeds; a growth of peas that will shade the land dur- 
ing the months of July and August is a good crop to grow in a young orchard, 
as it serves to shade the land, and at the same time acts as a mulch and a 
fertilizer. As winter approaches, everything should be done to stop growth. 
Whatever fertilizer is used should be used in spring after the blooming of the 
trees. The less growth during the winter months, the less liable is the tree to 
be injured in any way by cold. 

Sa3's Catherine Cole in the New Orleans Picayune: " Ever3'thing that is 
here has been placed here within a twelvemonth. The vines, fruit trees, young 
groves of China trees — the future shade and fuel of the home — the luxurious 
gardens and flowers, all are less than a year old. The vineyard is planted as it 
is done in France, Germany and California, and the vines are already at the 
lops of their poles. In the gardens are magnificent melons, egg-plants, cucum- 
bers, tomatoes, and what not. These fruits and vegetables equal in size and 
surpass in quality the best California products. The wells on the place give cold 
and delicious water at a uniform depth of twelve or fourteen feet. The pretty 
porches are shaded by vines, and the garden is gay with the glory of marigolds, 
zimnias, petunias, and crysanthemums. All about is the prairie, with its roaming 
herds of cattle, its silver coolees that never go dry, and its islands of trees 
showing where some settler has made him a home. New settlers, mostly from 
the west, are coming into this parish, and are settling up those small farms that 
are to be the nucleus of a new civilization, of education, and of a truer pros- 
perity than the State lias ever known. A prosperitj' builded on the substantial 
foundation of small farms will endure forever. The small farmer never goes to 
the wall, and between his iiedges and his well-kept fields, churches, schools 
and factories are certain to spring up. The great fertilizers of the new South 
will be the small farm. 

« • 

" A prairie home is like an oasis. Riding across the level lands toward a 
hanging garden. The gray roof and red chimney floating its blue flag gleam 
cheerfully under the deep shade of the grove of umbrella China trees that the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 1^1 

settler has planted as shade for himself and cattle and for his fuel in the future. 
His crops of cotton, corn, rice and cane stretch away in a wondrous mosaic of 
luxuriant color. The oranges hang heavy on the trees about the house and 
pigeons are pluming themselves by the gray rim of the well. About the front 
door are banana trees and pink-plumed myrtles. The cattle stand belly-deep in 
the lakes that are scattered here and there in opulent profusion, as if riotous 
nature had flung down with generous hand so many huge silver coins. They 
are linked over the tawny breast of this prairie like a necklace of silver coins 
strung over the bosom of an Indian princess, making her beautiful and pictur- 
esque. The dreamy crooning of the pigeons, the buzzing of the bees in the 
alder bushes, the faint low of the cattle or neigh of a young tilly in her field, 
the sweet smell of the hay fields, the burnished gold on the heavy corn, the 
wondrous bottomless depths of the blue sky — who that has seen and heard and 
felt all these can forgot how sweet is Louisiana as it is?" 

Pecan Island. — In the southern part of the parish in the sea marsh, is 
Pecan Island. It is situated about six miles from the coast, and is sixteen miles 
in length, covered with pecan and live-oak trees. This island presents the 
novel feature of an island surrounded, not by water, but by land, or rather by 
sea marsh. It is inhabited by hogs, cattle and people, and it is said that the 
latter know little more than the animals with which they live. 

There are many stories and traditions and legends concerning this island. 
One is, it has been supposed that it was the resort of pirates for centuries, and 
that there is untold wealth buried upon the island, if it could be found. Located 
as the island is, it is difficult of approach by the stranger, as well as dangerous, 
and hard to find. Another tradition, that two men presented themselves here 
once with a map of the country, which showed the island with the best ap- 
proaches to it, and employing a guide made their way to the island for the pur- 
pose of seeking for the buried treasure. But the people living on the island 
showed such hostility they were glad to get away with whole skins. Another 
tradition still is that the people living on the island are descendants of the pirates 
that once infested the island, and have multiplied to their present numbers. 

The island is said to be like unto the valley of dry bones, or a veritable 
golgotha, and that great quantities of human bones are to be found here, which 
has given rise to the legend that the pirates brought their prisoners here to mur- 
der them; also that the Attakapas Indians, who had the reputation of eating 
their prisoners, and hence were known as man-eaters, which is Attakapas ren- 
dered into English, brought their prisoners here, where they butchered them, 
cooked them up with clams and other products of the sea, and feasted to their 
hearts', or, rather, their stomachs', content. This is all given for what it is 
worth. Much of it is legend and tradition, and as such it is given to the reader, 
16 



248 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

It is understood that the land embraced in Pecan Island is soon to he put upon 
the market, and, when it is, then perhaps some of the traditions may be unrav- 
eled. Who will live upon this island, however, for the ghosts of the murdered 
ones doubtless haunt the island, at least in the minds of the superstitious? If the 
island is filled witli the ghosts of slaughtered men, who will want to make it his 
home? 

Opinion of an Ex-Govcnior. — Ex-Governor Riddle, of Kansas, after a 
visit to Southwestern Louisiana, wrote and published his views, as follows: 

Under the old system it took a mint of money to run a sugar plantation. 
There was a vast bodj' of land to buy, a sugar house costing from $40,000 to 
$100,000 to build, quarters for the negroes, etc. Then would come the 
cost of planting, cultivation and manufacture, all of which had to be borne by 
the planter, without a cent of returns until he marketed his crop. There are 
numerous instances where men have purchased plantations on credit and paid 
for them in a year or two,' and there are instances where a single disaster has 
swept away the accumulations of years. The dangers attendant upon the busi- 
ness of sugar planting were mostly to the planter under the levees of the Missis- 
sippi, where his crops were ruined hy floods. These the planters in Southwest 
Louisiana escape. 

Nevertheless, the future of the sugar business seems to be in the new system, 
which, in brief, is to separate the agricultural part of it from the manufacturing 
part. They speak of it in Louisiana as the Central System. A man or a com- 
pany puts up a sugar house in some convenient center and bu3's the cane brought 
to him. This enables the planter to farm on either a large or small scale. Land 
can be purchased, when unreclaimed, for seventy-five cents to $1.50 per acre. 
Land with improvements and under cultivation can be bought for from $4 to 
$10 per acre, or may be rented for either a cash rent or share of the crop. 
An acre of good land will produce from fifteen to twenty-five tons of cane, and 
the cane will sell from $3 to $5 per ton, according to the season. It is selling 
this season for $5 per ton. 

It was further provided that a mayor and four aldermen should form a town 
council, and the ten oldest citizens, voters, of the town should preside over the 
first election. At a meeting, Maj' 17, 1866, H. C. Read, mayor, councilmen: 
Stephen Hall, Leo Landrj', Voorhies Trahan, Leon Broussard, and E. Guegnon, 
secretary. He was also made the public printer of the council, and for his 
services he was to receive one hundred dollars per annum, payable monthly. 
George Caldwell was elected city constable for one year at three hundred dol- 
lars for his services, and also one-half of all fees. At the same meeting it was 
ordered that all persons bringing beef to town for sale must bring along the 
hides and brands, that they might be inspected by the constable to see that they 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 249 

were the rightful owners. A fine of fifty dollars was the result of non-compli- 
ance with this order. 

The present council: James B. Petty Ophehas Bourque, Mozerolie, C. J. 
Edwards, and J. J. Abadie, secretary; Euphemon Leblanc, town marshal. 

The town has two fire companies : Hook and Ladder Company, and Fire 
Company No. 2. A social club has been in existence two years, called the 
■' Merry Boys." 

Business Directory. — Joseph Labit, post-master; Ulyses Abadie, wines, 
liquors and billiards; Aphelius Bourque, general merciiandise : Miss Lorenzo 
Blanc, millinery; Heirs of David Beer, general merchandise; Jean Boyance, 
baker and confectioner; J. M. Banxis, groceries; W. H. Chevis, blacksmith; 
Lucius Theophile, merchandise; Lucius Duteil, liquors: Ferdy & Wall, lum- 
ber; Lero}- J. Feray, groceries: A. J. Godard, drugs; Godchau.v & Co., gen- 
eral merchandise ; J. C. Lege, saloon; E Montine, surveyor and grocer; R. H. 
Miles, druggist; Felix Romero saloon; Fraban & Romero, livery; Louis Thi- 
beaux, stock dealer ; Louis Leoland, saloon; A. Mouton, saloon ; F. L. Mil- 
lerbrock, merchandise; Joseph Caldwell, grocer; A. Labord, grocer; 
George Schells, shoe shop; J. A. Brookshire, cotton gin; Solomon Hise, 
general merchant; E. G. Lemaire, general store; P. D. Dupuy, general 
merchandise; Lege & Guydoy, grOcei-s; Madam Abadie, hotel; Sylvanie 
Preljin, hotel; Ernst Mouton, livery; Ernest Trahan, oyster saloon: Ayman 
Bourque, barber, and one hundred and thirtj'-eight tax payers. 

Perry's Bridge. — Perry's Bridge, or the town of Perry, is situated in 
Vermilion, three miles from Abbeville. Its business is as follows: J. S. Ham- 
let, druggist and physician; J. Meguier, general merchandise ; M. Boudin, gen- 
eral merchandise; Arthur Derouin, E. P. Putnam, cotton compress; Martin & 
Timothy Baley, etc. 

Slock Jfa/sino-. — Horses, cattle and sheep in large numbers have grazed 
upon the prairies of Southwestern Louisiana for many \^ears, receiving no care 
from their owners except the annual round-up. Where more care has been 
given, better stock has been produced. By paying some attention to the im- 
provement of the stock, and feeding a few weeks in the winter, valuable animals 
could be raised, for which there are ready markets at remunerative prices. The 
chief difficulty in improving cattle lies in acclim iting Northern cattle. Import- 
ing Northern cattle is so unsafe that we advise against it in all cases. It is safe 
to bring mules and horses if care be exercised. 

There are several large stock raisers in the parish of Vermilion. Among 
them may be noted J. P. Guydon. He owns about forty-six thousand acres of 



250 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA . 

land, twent3'-nine thousand acres in a single pasture. Adrian Nunez is said to 
be the largest stock raiser in tlie parish. He is on Vermilion Bayou. Frank 
Minston and Felix Broussaid are also stock dealers, togetlier with many others 
on a smaller scale. 

Military History — The patriotism of this section was shown for the Ameri- 
can government in the war of 1812. A large number of men from what is now 
Vermilion parish took part. Two companies were largely made up among the 
people here. The following names have been collected as having served in 
those companies: Jean F. Bourque, Pierre Desormeaux, Charles Harrington, 
Wni. Harrington, John B. Theall, P. P. Thibodeaux, Abram Abshire, Pierre 
Laponte. Vidal Laponte, Zepherin Trahan. 

Of the two companies named here, they were commanded by Capt. Robert 
Perry and Capt. Shadrach Porter. Two of the widows df these old soldiers 
are known to be living and are drawing pensions; Zepherin Trahan is also liv- 
ing and enjo3ing good health. Of the Mexican war we have no data on this 
parish. 

The war between the States comes next. Of all the wars that have ever 
disturbed the peace of the world, a civil war is the most direful. The rival 
houses of York and Lancaster, with their emblems of "White" and " Red," 
shook old England to her center, filling her houses with mourning, her fields with 
carnage, and wasting blood of her bravest and best; but compared to our "war 
between the States" it is dwarfed into insignificance. A perfect history of 
our late civil war has never been written; it never can be written. Were the 
" pen dipped in the gloom of earthquake and eclipse," it could not write a true 
history of those four long years of strife. All the evils of war, and all the 
horrors of civil war crowded into them. But as in the union of "the roses," 
was found the germ of England's future greatness and resplendent glory, so in 
the harmonious blending of the Blue and Gray — well, who shall dare limit the 
greatness and glory of America. 

The first company for the late war from this parish was that of Capt. White. 
They were stationed at the mouth of the Mermentau River, with two pieces of 
cannon, six and twenty-four pounders. They served only six months, and as 
their time was then up, they disbanded and returned home. 

Many of Vermilion's heroes left and went to other parts and enlisted there 
for tlie war. A company was raised by Capt. A. Berard, L. M. Bernard, first 
lieutenant, and G. S. Nunez, second lieutenant, and joined Fournet's Battalion. 
Besides this one or two companies of Home Guards were raised, which did duty 
in the parish. 

The public schools of the parish are in charge of a regular school board, 
whose duty it is to divide the parish into school districts, and to apportion the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 251 

school funds among the several districts in proportion to the number of chil- 
dren between the ages of six and eighteen years ; to provide sciiool houses, 
furniture, etc., for the schools. The board has a president and secretary; the 
latter is ex-officio superintendent of the schools of the parish. In 1889 there 
were in the parish 3364 white children; 1736 males and 1628 females. Colored 
children — males 320, and females 315. The present school board are: N. C. 
Young, president; Ambrose La Cour, secretary; James M. Williams, super- 
intendent, and Guy Hays, Eloi Harrington, Henry Harrington and Desire 
Maux. The schools have been built up principally in the last five years, and 
are now held about ten months yearly. 

The Press. — The first paper in the parish was the Independent. It was 
started about 1852, by Val. Veazey, who was its editor and publisher, and 
printed it both in English and French. He sold it in December, 1856, and 
the Meridinal was published in its place; the first issue making its appear- 
ance January i, 1857, under the management of E. I. Guegnon, who con- 
ducted it until 1862, when he died. His son, Eugene Guegnon then assumed 
control of it, and published it until 1877, when he too died, and his widow, 
Mrs. Ursule Guegnon, continued to publish it until 1879, when she sold it to 
E. J. Addison, the present owner. It is Democratic in politics, is a livelv 
and enterprising journal, and wields considerable influence. 

The Vermilion Star was established in April, 1890, by Mr. S. P. Watts, 
a brilliant and wide-awake young newspaper man. It is a sprightly and in- 
teresting sheet, and from its first issue it took rank among the best papers 
in this section of the State. The best we can say of it is to quote Rip 
Van Winkle's toast — "May it live long and prosper." 

Benevolent Associations. — Abbeville Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M, was 
chartered in 1868. Among the charter members were Capt. W. D. White, 
Elijah Ewing, J. F. Morgan, C. Remick, John Ellis, L. Rogers, J. F. Labit, 
J. Plonsky, etc. The present officers are J. F. Labit, Master; A. F. Marfield, 

Senior Warden; , Junior Warden, and Gus Godcheaux, 

Treasurer. 

Acadian Lodge, No. 3240, of the Knights of Honor was instituted at Abbe- 
ville, January 30, 1886. The charter members were: Joseph T. Labit, Albert 
T. Galloway, James M. Williams, John T. Hamblet, Wm. P. Miller, W. G. 
Kibbe, A. N. Neal, G. Godchaux, Horace Robinson, G. B. Shaw, R. H. Mills, 
Wm. D. White, Oliver C. Kibbe, J. A. Brookshire, Adolph F. Maxfield, Chas. 
L. Cullison and Joseph M. Frazer. 

The present officials of the lodge are: Past Dictator, D. N. Wall; 
Dictator, S. P. Watts; Vice Dictator, W. D. White; Assistant Dictator, J. N. 



252 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Williams; Chaplain, W. L. Vanslyke; Reporter, O. H. O'Bryan; Financial 
Reporter, J. L. Feray; Treasurer, L. Sakolsky: Guide, Joseph T. Labit; 
Guardian, S. Isaacs; Sentinel, J. Ben. The lodge has forty-two members in 
good standing. The lodge is having a prominent growth and meditates the 
erection of a hall in the near future. 

Branch No. 597, St. Mary Magdelane Lodge of the Catholic Knights of 
Honor, was cliartered here November 30, 1889. It wasorganized February 10, 
1890. Charter members were: Lastie Broussard, O. Bourque, Lewis Laporte, 
T. S. Abshire, M. D., John Abshire, Jr., Adonis LeBlanc, Felix Broussard and 
A. J. Golden. This lodge is in a prosperous condition and constantly receiving 
new members. Its competent and attentive corps of officers are: President, O. 
Bourque; Vice President, Lastie Broussard; Secretary, Adonis LeBlanc; Med- 
ical Examiner, J. T. Abshire, M. D. ; Financial Secretary, J. A. Villien. This 
lodge is constantly. receiving accessions of new members and bids fair to become 
one of the strongest in the parish in the near future. 

The Abbeville Literary Society was organized about 1874 by Doctor 
White, W. A. White and L, Broussard. The membership became good and 
the society purchased quite a library for a town of this size, and wliich is still in 
existence. 

The Eclectic Club was organized in 1889. It is a debating and literary 
club, and is well attended and supported. 

Doctors and Lawyers. — Among the earl}- physicians of Vermilion parish 
who have passed from the stage of action may be mentioned Doctors Wm. 
Mills, Wm. R. Mudd, John Chevis, Henry T. Chevis, R. J. Epperson, F. D. 
Young, H. Abadie, T. T. Solon and Doctor Dabrun. These pioneer ph3'sicians 
of the parish have gone to that land where there is no sickness, nor disease, nor 
death. 

The present "medicine men" are Doctors W. D. White, W. G. Kibbe, F. 
F. Young, R. J. Young, C. J. Edwards, J. F. Hamlet (lives at Perry's Bridge), 
J. T. Abadie, P. L. Leblanc (lives in the country). E. Tillie, Joseph A. Villien, 
M. R. Cushman and J. B. Ramsey all live in the country. 

The Vermilion Medical Societ}^ was organized in 1887 and holds quarterly 
meetings. To become members of the society, physicians must be regularly 
graduated from a regular medical college, and in good standing. Doctor J. T. 
Abshire is at present president of the society. Doctor W. D. White was one of 
the prime movers in organizing the society and was its first president. 

Legal. — The State Conslitution of 1845 abolished the office of parish judge ; 
so the first parish judge, William Kibbe, served only one year, or thereabout. 
The constitution of 1868 reestablished the office of parish judge and E. Guegnon 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 253 

served from 1868 till 1874, at which time William Kibbe was again elected, and 
served till his death in 1878. Kibbe was an old Vermonter. He had served in 
the war of Texas and Mexico, and was left wounded upon the field, which was 
in possession of ihe Mexicans. His life was spared because of the whiteness of 
his hair, the Mexicans having taken iiim to be an old man. 

Among the judges of this district were Henry Boise, G. R. King, Thomas 
Nicholls, Cornelius Voorhies, Edward Simon, C. A. Mouton, Adolph Bailey, 
James M. Parton, E. Mouton, Edward Mouton, John Clegg, Conrad Debaillion, 
W. M. Edwards, and C. C. Mouton, the present incumbent. 

The early lawyers of the parish were. Philander Taft, Joseph N. Walker, 
Daniel Oprine, R. F. Patton, died here of yellow fever in 1867, R. S. Perry, 
present incumbent of the court of Iberia. 

The present bar numbers among its members, W. M. Edwards, W. H. 
White. Lastie Broussard, W. B. White, M. J. Goody, S. L. Bourgues, Felix 
O'Nile. master tirst district court, Robt. F. Patton, A. J. Kearney, P. D. 
Lupuy, Lastie Broussard served from 1865 to 1888, and was succeeded by 
Alcide LeBlaiic. 

The sheriffs since the organization of the parish have been : J. M. Miles, 
Nathan Perry, N. A. Hebert, L. Y. LeBlanc, Jr., Alexander Lege, Sr., A. 
Berard, G. B. Shaw, L. C. Lyons, J. S. Nunez, N. N. Belling and A. Le 
Blanc. The civil officers of the parish at present, as reported by the Secretary 
of the State, are: Alcide LeBlanc, clerk district court; A. S. LeBlanc, sheriff; 
W. D. White, coroner; D. M. Lyons, assessor; E. Montague, Jr., parish sur- 
veyor; Eli Wise, parish treasurer; H. B. Lyons, inspector of weights and 
measures. 

Justices of the peace — First ward, Louis A. Laurance; second ward, Joseph 
Trahan; thn-d ward, Gilbert Labauve, Henry Petrj'; fourth vvard,Remy Brous- 
sard; fifth ward, William Shepherd; sixth ward, E. W. Gaspard; seventh 
ward. Felix, A. O'Neil. 

Constables — First ward, Charles Broussard; second ward, Andrew Moss: 
third ward, Thomas Flowers, Alexis Tranan; fourth ward, Aristides Picard; 
fifth ward, Oliver Landrw; sixth ward, A. B. Faulk; seventh ward, J. B. 
Mills. 

Police jurors — First ward, J. Alcide LeBlanc; second ward, Thomas 
Morgan; third ward, William L. Van Slyke; fourth ward, J. Treville Brous- 
sard; fifth ward, Howard Hoffpauer, president; sixth ward, Robert Green, 
seventh ward, Henry Bartell. 

Notaries public — William Shepherd, Robert P. O" Bryan, Joseph Trahan 
Alcide LeBlanc, F. Onezime LeBlanc, William B. White, Robert Cade 
Smedes. Leo Perret. 
17 



254 SO urn WES T L O LI SI A NA : 

Terms of Court. — Jury terms, second Monday of January and first Mon- 
day of September. Civil terms, first Tuesday in April and November. 

Post Offices. — Abbeville C. II., Gregg, Indian Bayou, Pegneur, Perry, 
Ramsey. 

Bridges. — The bridge across the Vermilion River in Abbeville cost between 
$5000 and ;f6ooo, and is a substantial iron structure. Another excellent bridge 
spans the river at Perry; henci- the name of the town — Perrjr's Bridge. 

The improvement of the southwest pass of the Vermilion River, so as to 
admit vessels in Veamilion Bay, would be worth a great deal to this country. In 
fact, it is much needed ; and were it located somewhere up in New England or 
Pennsylvania it would have been improved years ago. But the time, doubtless, 
is not tar distant when the streams of the South will receive the attention that 
the importance of them and the country actually demad. When it is known 
the valuable lands, rich as can be found anywhere, lying wild in this country for 
lack of facilities to develop them, and to market their products after being de- 
veloped, then may the South expect to get what she so much needs. 

Settlement of the Parish — He who attempts to present with unvarying ac- 
curacy the annals of a single neighborhood or parish, whose history reaches back 
through nearly a century, imposes upon himself a task beset with many difficul- 
ties. These difficulties, manifold and perplexing in themselves, are often aug- 
mented by conflicting statements, and varying data furnished by well-meaning 
descendants of early settlers, as material from which to compile a true and faith- 
ful record of past events. To give facts, and facts only, should be the aim of 
him who proposes to deal with the past. But, with the ever changing geo- 
graphical lines of civil divisions, it is very hard to confine those from whom the 
writer must obtain his information to certain localities. Hence settlers some- 
times get a little mixed as to the place of location. 

Among the first settlers in this parish may be mentioned Marin Mouton, 
G. Mouton, Levi Campbell, Bartlett Campbell, Charles Harrington, John Mer- 
mion, Samuel R. Rice, Auguste Broussard, Louis Laugemais, Olivier Blanchett, 
Joseph LeBlanc, John Lahan, Robert Perry, John Gregg, Joseph Trahan, Jean 
R. LeBlanc, J. F. Bourque, Pierre Desorneaux, Wm. Harrington, John B. 
Theall, P. P. Thibodeaux, Abram Abshire, Pierre Laponte, Vital Laponte, Z. 
Trahan, Shadrick Porter, etc. 

The Moutons originally settled in the present parish of Lafayette, where 
they are most particularly mentioned. The Campbells, settled on the lower 
Vermilion bayou. Harrington settled near Cow Island ; Mermion was a native 
of England and a very early settler. After this settlers came in so rapidly it was 
hard to keep trace of them. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 255 

The parish was organized in 1844, and was incorporated under the follow- 
ing act: 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in 
General Assembly convened, That all that part of the parish of Lafayette, on 
the south side of the following described line, to-wit : starting at the point where 
the line dividing the parishes of Lafayette and St. Martin crosses the Bayou 
Park Perdu; from said point in a direct line to the first woods on the coulee 
known by the name of Dalbj^'s Coulee; from thence down said coulee to the 
Ba3rou Vermilion; thence along said coulee to the mouth of Grange's Coulee to 
the last timber thereon; thence in a direct Hne to the first timber on the Indian 
Point Coulee; thence down said coulee to the mouth or its junction with the 
Bayou Queue Tortue; thence down along the line now fronting the boundary of 
the parish of Lafayette to the place of starting, and all the territorj^ within said 
boundary line to be known by and called the parish of Vermihon. 

Toivn of Abbeville. — Upon the organization of the parish, the next question 
was to establish the parish seat. This was not easily done in Vermilion. Two 
points were pitted against each other, viz: the present town of Abbeville and 
Perry post-office, better known as Perry's Bridge, a little town three miles south 
of Abbeville. And for several years it changed first to the one and then to the 
other place. Indeed, the changes were so fast and frequent, that half the time 
people had their breeches on hindpart before, and it was no uncommon thing 
for business men when they met on a morning to accost each other with — 
"Well, where is the parish seat to-day, at Abbeville or at Perry's Bridge?" 
There were another place or two that entered into the contest for it, but they had 
little chance to succeed and soon dropped out of the race. 

Perry's Bridge was at first victorious, a vote of the people giving it the 
capital. But another election being called the next year Abbeville was victorious. 
Thus it went on until 1852, election after election being held, and changing 
the seat back and forth from one place to the other. But the people at last 
grew tired of a vacillation that was proving detrimental to public interest and 
fatal to public improvement, and at the session of the Legislature of 1S52, passed 
an act establishing Abbeville as the parish seat, and so it has since remained. 

The land upon which Abbeville was laid out was purchased by Father 
A. D. Megret, from Joseph LeBlanc, and the first structure built thereon was a 
chapel for Roman Catholic service. This chapel was formed out of the old- 
fashioned, spacious mansion of Mons. LeBlanc. Father Megret had solicited 
from the proprietors of Perry's Bridge ground on which to build a church, but 
the only lot offered him was of a swampy character, which he would not have. 
So he went three miles north and purchased a tract of land. Upon this he estab 



256 SOUTH WES7' L OUISIANA : 

lished a church and hud out a part of it in lots and streets, and finally it became 
the town of Abbeville. 

A church was built, whicli served tlie congregation several years and was 
blown down in 1856. In 1884 the present church was built, which is large and 
commodious. About four-fifths of the people are Catholics. The convent was 
built in 1885, and an excellent school is conducted in it by the Sisters of Mount 
Carmel. About five hundred children are baptized yearly in this church. 

The first business house was a store built by Hilaire Davide and Emile 
Boudin. They carried on a store for some time, and also built the first resi- 
dence in the new town. Messrs. A. Spalding, J. P. Guydon and B. Cavailliez 
were also early business men of the town. 

Court was first held at Perry's Bridge in an old store house, and it was not 
until after the seat of justice was permanently established at the town of Abbe- 
ville that a court house was erected. It was burnt in 1887, and the parish is 
just finishing a court house, which, when finally completed, will be one of the 
finest in Southwest Louisiana, and will cost about $23,000. It is a handsome 
brick edifice and an honor to the town and parish. 

The first jail was an old log structure, and to prevent prisoners from escap- 
ing they were chained to the floor. This served the purpose until the present 
brick prison was built some five 3'ears ago. 

Abbeville was incorporated under act of the Legislature approved March 
13, 1850, as follows: Be it enacted by the General Assembly, etc, that the 
tract of land lying and being on the east side or Bayou Vermilion, in the parish 
of Vermilion, having eight hundred and forty- eight on said bayou with a depth 
of one thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine feet, bounded on the north by 
the lands of Victor Boete, and on the east by the lands of A. D. Megret and 
on the south by the family of Blanchett's, as laid off by Augustine D. Megret, 

for a town in the parish of Vermilion, shall continue to be known as 

the town of Abbeville, and the inhabitants shall constitute a body corporate. — 
Per?- in . 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE I. 



^TT^VANGELINE. — The story of Evanfjeline, as told in the " Reminiscences 
'4— ' of an Old Acadian,'' will be found in Chapter III of this volume. As the 
U scenes upon which Longfellow's poem — " A Tale of Acadia " (Evange- 

line) — are founded are laid in the Attakapas countr}', it is deemed that everj'- 
thing pertaining to Evangeline will be of interest to the readers of this sketch, 
so that part of the poem, the scenes of which are laid in Southwest Louisiana, 
are given in this connection. It is as follows: 

It was the month of May. Far down the beautiful river, 

Past the Ohio shore, and past the mouth of the Wabash, 

Into the golden stream of the broad and swift Mississippi, 

Floated a cumbrous boat, that was rowed by Acadian boatmen. 

It was a band of exiles; a raft, as it were, from the shipwrecked 

Nation, scattered along the coast. nov\' floating together. 

Bound by the bonds of a common belief and a common misfortune ; 

Men and women and children, who, guided by hope or by hearsay, 

Souglit for their kitli and their kin among the few-acred farmers 

On the Acadian coast, and the prairies of fair Opelousas. 

'With them Evangeline went, and her guide, the Father Felician. 

Onward o'er sunken sands, through a wilderness sombre witli forests. 

Day after day they glided adown the turbulent river; 

Night after night, by their blazing fires, encamped on its borders. 

Now through rushing chutes, among green islands, where plumelike 

Cotton trees nodded their shadowy crests, the}^ swept with the current. 

Then emerged into broad lagoons, where silvery sand bars 

Lay in the stream, and along the vvimpling waves of their margin. 

Shining witii snow white plumes, large flocks of pelicans waded. 

Level the landscape grew, and along tlie shores of the river. 

Shaded b\' china trees, in the midst of luxuriant gardens. 

Stood the houses of planters, with negro cabins and dove cots. 

They were approaching the region where reigns perpetual summer. 

Where through the Golden Coast, and groves of orange and citron. 

Sweeps with majestic curve the river away to the eastward. 

They, too, swerved from their course, and, entering the Bayou of Plaquemine, 

Soon were lost in a maze of sluggish and devious waters, 



258 SO UTH WES T LO UISIA NA : 

Which, like a network of steel, extended in every direction. 

Over their heads the towering and tenebrous boughs of the cypress 

Met in a dusk}' arch, and trailing mosses in mid-air 

Waved like banners that hang on the walls of ancient cathedrals. 

Deathlike the silence seemed, and unbroken, save by the herons 

Home to their roosts in the cedar trees returning at sunset, 

Or by the owl, as he greeted the moon with demoniac laughter. 

Lovely the moonlight was as it glanced and gleamed on the water. 

Gleamed on the columns of cypress and cedar sustaining the arches, 

Down through whose broken vaults it fell as through chinks in a ruin. 

Dreamlike, and indistinct, and strange were all things around them; 

And o'er their sjiirits there came a feeling of wonder and sadness, — 

Strange forebodings of ill, unseen and that can not be compassed. 

As, at the tramp of a horse's hoof on the turf of the prairies, 

Far in advance are closed the leaves of the shrinking mimosa, 

So, at the hoof beats of fate, with sad forebodings of evil. 

Shrinks and closes the heart, ere the stroke of doom has attained it. 

But Evangeline's heart was sustained by a vision, that faintly 

Floated before her eyes, and beckoned her on through the moonlight. 

It was the thought of her brain that assumed the shape of a phantom. 

Through those shadowy aisles had Gabriel wandered before her. 

And every stroke of the oar now brought him nearer and nearer. 

Then in his place, at the prow of the boat, rose one of the oarsmen 

And, as a signal sound, if others like them peradventure 

Sailed on those gloomy and midnight streams, blew a blast on his bugle. 

Wild through the dark colonnades and corridors leafy the blast rang. 

Breaking the seal of silence and giving tongues to the forest. 

Soundless above them the banners of moss just stirred to the music. 

Multitudinous echoes awoke and died in the distance. 

Over the watery floor, and beneatii the reverberant branches ; 

But not a voice replied; no answer came from the darkness; 

And when the echoes had ceased, like a sense of pain was the silence. 

Then Evangeline slept; but the boatmen rov^'ed tiirough the midnight. 

Silent at times, then singing familiar Canadian boat-songs. 

Such as they sang of old on their own Acadian rivers. 

While through the night were heard the mysterious sounds of the desert, 

Far off — indistinct — as of wave or wind in the forest, 

Mixed with the whoop of the crane and the roar of the grim alligator. 

Thus ere another noon they emerged from the shades; and before them 

Lay, in the golden sun, the lakes of the Atchafalaya. 

Water-lilies in myriads rocked on the slight undulations 

Made by the passing oars, and, resplendent in beauty, the lotus 

Lifted her golden crown above the heads of the boatmen. 

Faint was the air with the odorous breath of magnolia blossoms. 

And with the heat of noon ; and numberless sylvan islands, 

Fragrant and thickly embowered with blossoming hedges of roses. 

Near to whose shores glided along, invited to slumber. 

Soon by the fairest of these their wear}' oars were suspended. 

Under the boughs of Wachita willows, that grew by the margin. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 259 

Safely their boat was moored; and scattered about on the greensward, 

Tired with their midnight toil, the weary travelers slumbered. 

Over them vast and high extended the cope of a cedar. 

Swinging from its great arms, the trumpet-flower and the grapevine 

Hung their ladder of ropes aloft like the ladder of Jacob, 

On whose pendulous stairs the angels ascending, descending, 

Were the swift humming-birds, that flitted from blossom to blossom. 

Such was the vision Evangeline saw as she slumbered beneath it. 

Filled was her heart with love, and the dawn of an opening heaven 

Lighted her soul in sleep with the glory of regions celestial. 

Nearer, ever nearer, among the numberless islands, 
Darted a light, swift boat, that sped away o'er the water, 
Urged on its course by the sinewy arms of hunters and trappers. 
Northward its prow was turned, to the land of the bison and beaver. 
At the helm sat a youth, with countenance thoughtful and careworn. 
Dark and neglected locks overshadowed his brow, and a sadness 
Somewhat beyond his years on his face was legibl}' written. 
Gabriel was it. who, weary with waiting, unhappy and restless. 
Sought in the Western wilds oblivion of self and of sorrow. 
Swiftly they glided along, close under the lee of the island, 
But by the opposite bank, and behind a screen of palmettos; 
So that they saw not the boat, where it lay concealed in the willows; 
All undisturbed by the dash of their oars, and unseen, were the sleepers ; 
Angel of God was there none to awaken the slumbering maiden. 
Swiftly they glided away, like the shade of a cloud on the prairie. 
After the sound of their oars on the tholes had died in the distance, 
As from a magic trance the sleepers awoke, and the maiden 
Said with a sigh to the friendl}' priest, " O Father Felician ! 
Something says in my heart that near me Gabriel wanders. 
Is it a foolish dream, an idle and vague superstition? 
Or has an angel passed and revealed the truth to my spirit?" 
Then, with a blush, she added, " Alas for my credulous fancy ! 
Unto ears like thine such words as these have no meaning."' 
But made answer the reverend man, and he smiled as he answered, — 
' Daughter, thy words are not idle ; nor are they to me without meaning 
Feeling is deep and still: and the word that floats on the surface 
Is as the tossing buoy, that betrays where the anchor is hidden. 
Therefore trust to thj^ heart, and to what the world calls illusions. 
Gabriel truly is near thee; for not far away to the Southward, 
On the banks of the Teche, are the towns of St. Maurand St. Martin. ' 
There the long-wandering bride shall be given again to her bridegroom. 
There the long-absent pastor regain his flock and his sheepfold. 
Beautiful is the land, with its prairies and forests of fruit trees; 
Under the feet a garden of flowers, and the bluest of heavens 
Bending above, and resting its dome on the walls of the forest. 
They who dwell there have named it the Eden of Louisiana." 

With these words of cheer they arose and continued their journey. 
Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon, 



260 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA- 

Like a magician, extended his golden wand o'er the landscape; 

Twinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest 

Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together. 

Hanging between two skies, a cloud with edges of silver 

Floated the boat, with its dripping oars, on tlie motionless water. 

Filled was Evangeline's heart with inexpressible sweetness. 

Touched b}- the magic spell, the sacred fountains of feeling 

Glowed with the light of love, as the skies and waters around her. 

Then from a neighboring thicket the mocking bird, wildest of singers. 

Swinging aloft on a willow spray that hung o'er the water. 

Shook from his little throat such floods of delirious music 

That the whole air and the woods and tlie waves seemed silent to listen. 

Plaintive at first were the tones and sad ; then, soarin^r to madness, 

Seemed the}' to follow or guide the revel of frenzied Bacchantes. 

Single notes were then heard, in sorrowful, low lamentation; 

Till, having gathered them all, he flung them abroad in derision. 

As when, after a storm, a gust of wind through the tree-tops 

Shakes down the rattling rain in a crystal shower on the branches. 

With such a prelude as this, and hearts that throbbed with emotion, 

Slowh' they entered the Teche, where it flows through the green Opelousas, 

And, through the amber air, above the crest of the woodland. 

Saw the column of smoke that arose from a neighboring dwelling; — 

Sounds of a horn they heard, and the distant lowing of cattle. 

I. 

Near to the bank of the river, o'ershadowed by oaks, from whose branches 

Garlands of Spanish moss and of mystic mistletoe flaunted. 

Such as the Druids cut down with golden hatchets at Yule-tide, 

Stood, secluded and still, the house of the herdsman. A garden 

Girded it round about with a belt of luxuriant blossoms, 

Filling the air with fragrance. The house itself was of timbers 

Hewn from the cypress-tree, and carefully fitted together. 

Large and low was the roof; and on slender columns supported, 

Rose-wreathed, vine-encircled, a broad and spacious veranda. 

Haunt of the humming-bird and the bee, extended around it. 

At each end of the house, amid the flowers of tlie garden. 

Stationed the dove-cots were, as love's perpetual symbol. 

Scenes of endless wooing, and endless contentions of rivals. 

Silence reigned o'er the place. The line of shadow and sunshine 

Ran near the tops of the trees; but the house itself was in shadow. 

And from its chimney-top, ascending and slowly e.xpanding 

Into the evening air, a thin blue column of smoke rose. 

In the rear of the house, from the garden gate, ran a pathway 

Through the great groves of oak to the skirts of the limitless prairie, 

Into whose sea of flowers the sun was slowly descending. 

Full in his track of light, like ships with shadow}- canvas 

Hanging loose from their spars in a motionless calm in the tropics, 

Stood a cluster of trees, with tangled cordage of grapevines. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 261 

Just where the woocUands meet the flowery surf of the prairie, 

Mounted upon his horse, witii Spanisli saddle and stirrups, , 

Sat a herdsman, arrayed in yaiters and doublet of deerskin. 

Broad and brown was the face that fronn under the Spanish sombrero 

Gazed on the peacefnl scene, with the lordly look of its master. 

Round about him were numberless lierds ot kine that were grazing 

Quietly in the meadows, and breathing the vapory freshness 

That uprose from the river, and spread itself over the landscape. 

Slo "'I3' lifting the horn that hung at his side, and expanding 

Fully his broad, deep chest, he blew a blast, that resounded 

Wildly and sweet and far, through the still damp air ot the evening.. 

Suddenly out ot the grass the long white horns of the cattle 

Rose like flakes of foam on the adverse currents of ocean. 

Silent a moment they gazed, then bellowing rushed o'er the prairie, 

And the whole mass became a cloud, a shade in the distance. 

Then, as the herdsman turned to the house, through the gate of the|[garden 

Saw he the forms of the priest and the maiden advancing to meet him. 

Suddenly down from his horse he sprang in amazement, and forward 

Pushed with extended arms and exclamations of wonder; 

When they beheld his face, the}- recognized Basil the blacksmith. , 

Hearty his welcome was, as he led his guests to the garden. 

There in an arbor of roses with endless question and answer 

Gave they vent to their hearts, and renewed their friendly embraces, 

Laughing and weeping by turns, or sitting silent and thoughtful. 

Thoughtful, for Gabriel came not ; and now dark doubts and misgivings 

Stole o'er the maiden's heart; and Basil, somewhat embarrassed, 

Broke the silence and said, " If you came b}' the Atchafalaj'a, 

How have you nowhere encountered my Gabriel's boat on the ba3'ous?" 

Over Evangeline's face at the words of Basil a shade passed. 

Tears came into her eyes, and she said, with a tremulous accent, 

'Gone? is Gabriel gone?'" and concealing her face on his shoulder. 
All her o'erburdened heart gave way, and she wept and lamented. 
Then the good Basil said, — and his voice grew blithe as he said it, — 

■ Be of good cheer, mj' child; it is only to-day he departed. 
Foolish boy! he has left me alone with my herds and my horses. 
Moody and restless grown, and tried and troubled, his spirit 
Could no longer endure the calm of this quiet existence. 
Thinking ever of thee, uncertain and sorrowful ever, 
Ever silent, or speaking only of thee and his troubles. 
He at length had become so tedious to men and to maidens, 
Tedious even to me, that at length I bethought me, and sent him 
Unto the town of Ada\-es to trade lor mules with the Spaniards. 
Thence he will follow the Indian trails to the Ozark Mountains, 
Hunting for furs in the forests, on rivers trapping the beaver. 
Therefore be of good cheer, we will follow the tugitive lover; 
He is not far on his way, and the Fates and the streams are against him 
Up and away to-morrow, and through the red dew of the morning. 
We will follow him fast, and bring him back to his prison " 



262 SOirTHWEST L OUISIANA ■ 

Then glad voices were heard, and up from the banks of the river. 
Borne aloft on his comrades' arms, came Michael the fiddler. 
Long under Basil's roof hud he lived like a god on Olympus, 
Having no other care than dispensing music to mortals. 
Far renowned was he for his silver locks and his fiddle. 
*'Long live Michael," they cried, "our brave Acadian minstrel!" 
As they bore him aloft in triumphal procession ; and straightway 
Father Felician advanced with Evangeline, greeting the old man 
Kindly and oft, and recalling the past, while Basil, enraptured. 
Hailed with hilarious jo}' his old companions and gossips, 
Laughing loud and long, and embracing mothers and daughters. 
Much the}^ marveled to see the wealth of the cidevant blacksmith. 
All his domains and his herds, and his patriarchal demeanor ; 
Much they marveled to hear his tales of the soil and the climate, 
And of the prairies, whose numberless herds were his who would take them; 
Each one thought in his heart, that he, too, would go and do likewise. 
Thus they ascended the steps, and, crossing the breezy veranda. 
Entered the hall of the house, where already the supper of Basil 
Waited his late return ; and they rested and feasted together. 

Over the joyous feast the sudden darkness descended. 
All was silent without, and, illuminating tlie landscape with silver. 
Fair rose the dewy moon and the myriad stars: but within doors. 
Brighter than these, shone the faces of friends in the glimmering lamplight. 
Then from his station aloft, at the head of the table, the herdsman 
Poured forth his heart and his wine together in endless profusion. 
Lighting his pipe, that was filled with sweet Natchitoches tobacco, 
Thus he spake to his guests, who listened, and smiled as they listened: — 
^'Welcome once more, mj^friends who long have been friendless andhomeless, 
Welcome once more to a home, ihat is better perchance than the old one I 
Here no hungry winter congeals our blood like the rivers ; 
Here no stony ground provokes the wrath of the farmer. 

Smoothly the ploughshare runs through the soil, as a keel through the water, 
All the year round the orange groves are in blossom ; and grass grows 
More in a single night than a whole Canadian summer. 
Here, too, numberless herds run wild and unclaimed in the prairies. 
Here, too, lands may be had for the asking, and forests of timber 
With a few blows of the axe are hewn and framed into houses. 
After your houses are built, and your fields are yellow with harvests, 
No King George of England shall drive you away from your homesteads, 
Burning your dwellings and barns, and stealing your farms and your cattle." 
Speaking these words, he blew a wrathful cloud from his nostrils, 
While his huge, brown hand came thundering down on the table, 
So that the guests all started; and Father Felician, astounded, 
Suddenly paused, with a pinch of snuff half-way to his nostrils. 
But the brave Basil resumed, and his words were milder and gayer: 
"Only beware of the fever, my friends, beware of the fever ! 
For it is not like that of our cold Acadian climate. 
Cured by wearing a spider hung round one's neck in a nutshell !" 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 263 

Then there were voices heard at the door, and footsteps approaching 

Sounded upon the stairs and the floor of the breezj' veranda. 

It was the neighboring Creoles and small Acadian planters, 

Who had been summoned all to the house of Basil the herdsman. 

Merry the meeting was of ancient comrades and neighbors ; 

Friend clasped friend in his arms; and they who before were as strangers. 

Meeting in exile, became straightway as friends to each other. 

Drawn by the gentle bond of a common countr}? together. 

But in the neighboring hall a strain of music, proceeding 

From the accordant strings of Michael's melodious fiddle, 

Broke up all further speech. Away, like children delighted. 

All things forgotten beside, they gave themselves to tlie maddening 

Whirl of the dizzy dance, as it swept and swa3-ed to the music, 

Dreamlike, with beaming eyes and the rush of fluttering garments. 

Meanwhile, apart, at the liead of the hall, tlie priest and the herdsman 

Sat, conversing together of past and present and future ; 

While Evangeline stood like one entranced, for within her 

Olden memories rose, and loud in the midst of the music 

Heard she the sound of the sea, and an irrepressible sadness 

Came o'er her heart, and unseen she stole forth into the garden. 

Beautiful was the night. Behind the black wall of the forest. 

Tipping its summit with silver, arose the moon. On the river 

Fell here and there through the branches a tremulous gleam of the moonlight, 

Like the sweet thoughts of love on a darkened and devious spirit. 

Nearer and round about her, the manifold flowers of the garden 

Poured out their souls in odors, that were their prayers and confessions 

Unto the night, as it went its way, like a silent Carthusian. 

Fuller of fragrance than they, and as heavy with shadows and night-dews, 

Hung the heart of the maiden. The calm and the magical moonlight 

Seemed to inundate her soul with indefinable longings. 

As, through the garden gate, and beneath the shade of the oak-trees. 

Passed she along the path to the edge of the measureless prairie. 

Silent it lay, with a silvery haze upon it, and fire-flies 

Gleaming and floating away in mingled and infinite numbers. 

Over her head the stars, thoughts of God in the heavens. 

Shone on the eyes of man, who had ceased to marvel and worship. 

Save when a blazing comet was seen on the walls of that temple, 

As if a hand had appeared and written upon them, "Upharsin." 

And the soul of the maiden, between the stars and the fire-flies. 

Wandered alone, and she cried, "O Gabriel! O my beloved! 

Art thou so near unto me, and yet I can not behold thee? 

Art thou so near unto me, and yet thy voice does not reach me? 

Ah ! how often thy feet have trod this path to the prairie ! 

Ah! how often thine eyes have looked on the woodlands around me ! 

Ah! how often beneath this oak, returning from labor, 

Thou hast lain down to rest, and to dream of me in thy slumbers! 

When shall these eyes behold, tliese arms be folded about thee?" 

Loud and sudden and near the note of a whippoorwill sounded 

Like a flute in the woods ; and anon, through the neighboring thickets, 



264 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA . 

Farther and fnrther away it floated and dropped into silence. 
"Patience!" whispered the oaks from oracular caverns of darkness; 
And, from the moonlit meadow, a sigh responded, "To-morrow." 

Bright rose the sun nextdaj': and all the flowers of the garden 
Bathed their shining feet with their tears, and anointed his tresses 
With the delicious balm that they bore in their vases of crystal. 

" Farewell!" said the priest, as he stood at the shadowy threshold; 

" See that you bring us the Prodigal Son from his fasting and famine. 

And, too, the Foolish Virgin, who slept when the bridegroom was coming. 

" Farewell!" answered the maiden, and, smiling, with Basil descended 
Down to the river's brink, where the boatmen already were waiting. 
Thus beginning their journey with morning, and sunshine, and gladness, 
Swiftly they followed the flight of him who was speeding before them, 
Blown by the blast of fate like a dead leaf over the desert. 
Not that day, nor the next, nor 3-et the day that succeeded, 
Found they trace of his course, in lake or forest or river. 
Nor, after many days, had they found him; but vague and uncertain 
Rumors alone were their guides through a wild and desolate country; 
Till, at the Httle inn of the Spanish town of Adaj-es. 

Weary and worn, they alighted, and learned from tlie garrulous landlord. 
That on the day before, with horses and guides and companions, 
Gabriel left the village, and took the road of the prairies. 

II. 

Far in the West there lies a desert land, where the mountains 

Lift, through perpetual snows, their lofty and luminous summits. 

Down from their 'jagged, deep ravines, where the gorge, like a gateway. 

Opens a passage rude to the wheels of the emigrant's wagon. 

Westward the Oregon flows and the Walleway and Owjdiee. 

Eastward, with devious course, among the Windriver Mountains, 

Through the Sweet-water Valley precipitate leaps the Nebraska ; 

And to the south, from Fontaine-qui-bout and the Spanish sierras. 

Fretted with sand and rocks, and swept by the wind of the desert. 

Numberless torrents, with ceaseless sound, descend to the ocean, 

Like the great chords of a harp, in loud and solemn vibrations. 

Spreading between these streams are the wondrous, beautiful prairies. 

Billowy bays of grass ever rolling in shadow and sunshine. 

Bright with luxuriant clusters of roses and purple amorphas. 

Over them wandered the buffalo herds, and the elk and the roebuck; 

Over them wandered the wolves, and herds of riderless horses; 

Fires that blast and blight, and winds that are weary with travel; 

Over them wandered the scattered tribes of Ishmael's children. 

Staining the desert with blood ; and above their terrible war trails 

Circles and sails aloft, on pinions majestic, the vulture, 

Like the implacable soul of a chieftain slaughtered in battle. 

By invisible stairs ascending and scaling the lieavens. 

Here and there rise smokes from the camps of these savage marauders : 



HlSrORIGAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 265 

Here and there rise groves from tlie margins of swift-running rivers ; 
And the grim, taciturn bear, the anchorite monk of the desert, 
CHmbs down their dark ravines to dig for roots by the brook-side. 
And over all is the sky, tlie clear and cryst-iiline heaven, 
Like the protecting hand of God inverted above them. 

Into this wonderful land, at the base of the Ozark Mountains, 
Gabriel far had entered, with hunters and trappers behind him. 
Day after day, with their Indian guides, the maiden and Basil 
Followed his flying steps, and thought each day to o'ertake him. 
Sometimes they saw, or thought they saw, the stnoke of his camp-fire 
Rise in the morning air from the distant plain; but at nightfall. 
When they liad reached the place, they found only embers and ashes. 
And, though their hearts were sad at times and their bodies were weary, 
Hope still guided them on, as the magic Fata Morgana 
Showed them her lakes of light, tiiat retreated and vanished before them. 
Once, as they sat by their evening fire, silently entered 
Into the little camp an Indian woman, whose features 
Wore deep traces of sorrow, and patience as great as her sorrow. 
She was a Shawnee woman returning home to her people. 
From the far-off hunting-grounds of the cruel Camanches, 
Where her Canadian husband, a Coureur-des-Bois, had been murdered. 
Touched were their hearts at her stor}', and warmest and friendliest wel- 

[come 
Gave they, with words of cheer, and she sat and feasted among them 
On the buffalo-meat and the venison cooked on the embers. 
But when their meal was done, and Basil and all his companions. 
Worn with the long day's march and the chase of the deer and the bison. 
Stretched themselves on the ground, and slept where the quivering fire-light 
Flashed on their swarthy cheeks, and their forms wrapped up in their 
Then at the door of Evangeline's tent she sat and repeated [blankets, 

Slowly, with soft, low voice, and the charm of her Indian accent, 
All the tale of her love, with its pleasures, and pains, and reverses. 
Much Evangeline wept at the tale, and to know that another 
Hapless heait like her own had loved and had been disappointed. 
Moved to the depth of her soul by pity and woman's compassion. 
Yet in her sorrow pleased that one who had suffered was near her, 
Slie in turn related her love and all its disasters. 
Mute with wonder the Shawnee sat, and when she had ended 
Still was mute; but at length, as if a mysterious horror 
Passed through her brain, she spake, and repeated the tale of the Mowis; 
Mowis, the bridegroom of snow, who won and wedded a maiden. 
But, when the morning came, arose and passed from the wigwam. 
Fading and melting away, and dissolving into the sunshine, 
Till she beheld him no more, though she followed far into the forest. 
Then, in those sweet, low tones that seemed like a weird incantation. 
Told she the tale of the lair Lilanau, who was wooed by a phantom. 
That, through the pines o'er her father's lodge, in the hush of the twilight. 
Breathed, like the evening wind, and whispered love to the maiden, 



266- SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Till she followed his green and waving plume through the forest, 
And never more returned, nor was seen again bv her people. 
Silent with wonder and strange surprise, Evangeline listened 
To the soft flow of her magical words, till the region around her 
Seemed like enchanted ground, and her swarthy guest the enchantress. 
Slowly over the tops of the Ozark Mountains the moon rose, 
Lighting the little tent, and with a mysterious splendor 
Touching the sombre leaves, and embracing and filling the woodland. 
With a delicious sound the brook rushed by, and the branches 
Swayed and sighed overhead in scarcely audible whispers. 

Filled with the thoughts of love was Evangeline's heart, but a secret. 

Subtile sense crept in of pain and infinite terror. 

As the cold, poisonous snake creeps into the nest of the swallow. 

It was no earthly fear. A breath from the region of spirits 

Seemed to float in the air of night; and she felt for a moment. 

That, like the Indian maid, she, too, was pursuing a phantom. 

With this thought she slept, and the fear and the phantom had vanished. 

Early upon the morrow the march was resumed, and the Shawnee 

Said, as they journeyed along, — " On the western slope of these mountains 

Dwells in his little village the Black Robe Chief of the Mission. 

Much he teaches the people, and tells them of Marj- and Jesus : 

Loud laugh their hearts with joy, and weep with pain as they hear him." 

Then with a sudden and secret emotion, Evangeline answered, 

'* Let us go to the Mission, for there good tidings await us !"' 

Thither they turned their steeds ; and behind a spur of the mountains. 

Just as the sun went down, they heard a murmur of voices. 

And in a meadow green and broad, by the bank of a river. 

Saw the tents of the Christians, the tents of tlie Jesuit Mission. 

Under a towering oak, that stood in the midst of the village, 

Knelt the Black Robe chief with his children. A crucifix fastened 

High on the trunk of the tree, and overshadowed by grapevines. 

Looked with its agonized face on the multitude kneeling beneath it. 

This was their rural chapel. Aloft, through the intricate arches 

Of its aerial roof, arose the chant of their vespers, 

Mingling its notes with the soft susurrus and sighs of the branches. 

Silent, with heads uncovered, the travelers, nearer approaching, 

Knelt on the swarded floor, and joined in the evening devotions. 

But when the service was done, and the benediction had fallen 

Forth from the hands of the priest, like seed from the hands of the sower, 

Slowly the reverend man advanced to the strangers, and bade them 

Welcome; and when the}^ replied, he smiled with benignant expression. 

Hearing the homelike sounds of his mother-tongue in the forest, 

And, with words of kindness, conducted them into his wigwam. 

There upon mats and skins they reposed, and on cakes of the maize-ear 

Feasted, and slaked tlieir thirst from the water-gourd of the teacher. 

Soon was tlieir story told; and the priest with solemnity answered : — 

" Not six suns have risen and set since Gabriel seated 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 267 

On this mat bj' my side, where now the maiden reposes, 

Told me this same sad tale; then arose and continued his journey!" 

Soft was tlie voice of the priest, and lie spake with an accent of kindness; 

But on Evangeline's heart fell his words as in winter the snow flakes 

Fall into some lone nest from which the birds have departed. 

" Far to tlie North he lias gone,'" continued the priest; '' but in autumn, 
"When tlie chase is done, will return again to the Mission."' 
Then Evangeline said, and her voice was meek and submissive, 

" Let me remain with thee, for my soul is sad and afflicted." 

So seemed it wise and well unto all; and betimes on the morrow. 
Mounting his Mexican steed, with liis Indian guides and companions. 
Homeward Basil returned, and Evangeline stayed at the Mission. 

Slowly, slowly, slow!}' the days succeeded each other — 

Days and weeks and months ; and the fields of maize that w^ere springing 
Green from the ground when a stranger she came, now waving above her, 
Lifted their slender shafts, with leaves interlacing, and forming 
Cloisters for mendicant crows and granaries pillaged by squirrels. 
Then in the golden weather the maize was husked, and the maidens 
Blushed at each blood red ear, for that betokened a lover, 
But at the crooked laughed, and called it a thief in the corn field. 
Even the blood red ear to Evangeline brought not her lover. 
" Patience I" the priest would sa}' ; " have faith, and th}- prayer will be an- 
Look at this vigorous plant that lifts its head from the meadow, [swered ! 
See how its leaves are turned to the north, as true as the magnet; 
It is the compass-flower, that the finger of God has planted 
Here in the houseless wild, to direct the traveler's journey 
Over the sea-like, pathless, limitless waste of the desert. 
Such in the soul of man is faith. The blossoms of passion, 
Gaj' and luxuriant flowers, are brighter and fuller of fragrance. 
But they beguile us, and lead us astray, and their odor is deadl}^ 
Onl}' this humble plant can guide us here, and hereafter 
Crown us with asphodel flowers, that are wet with the dews of nepenthe.' 

So came the autumn, and passed, and the winter — 3'et Gabriel came not; 

Blossomed the opening spring, and the notes of the robin and bluebird 

Sounded sweet upon wold and in wood, yet Gabriel came not. 

But on the breath of the summer winds a rumor was wafted 

Sweeter than song of bird, or hue or odor of blossom. 

Far to the north and east, it said, in the Michigan forests, 

Gabriel had his lodge by the banks of the Saginaw River. 

And, with returning guides, that sought the lakes of St. Lawrence, 

Saying a sad farewell, Evangeline went from the Mission. 

When over weaiy ways, by long and perilous marches. 

She had attained at length the depths of the Michigan forests. 

Found she the hunter's lodge deserted and fallen to ruin ! 

Thus did the long sad years glide on, and in seasons and places 
Divers and distant far was seen the wandering maiden; — 



368 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Now in the Tents of Grace of the meek Moravian Missions, 

Now in the noisy ciimps and the battle fields of the army, 

Now in secluded hamlets, in towns and populous cities. 

Like a phantom she came, and passed away unremembered. 

Fair was she and voun^r, when in hope began the long journey ; 

Faded was she and old, when in disappointment it ended. 

Each succeeding year stole something away from her beauty, 

Leaving behind^it", broader and deeper, the gloom and the shadow. 

Then there appeared and spread faint streaks of gray o'er her forehead, 

Dawn of another life, that broke o'er her earthly horizon, 

As in the eastern sky the first faint streaks of the morning. 

m. 

In that delightful land which is washed by the Delaware's waters. 

Guarding in sylvan shades the name of Penn the apostle, 

Stands on the banks of its beautiful stream the city he tounded. 

There all the air is balm, and the peach is the emblem of beauty, 

And the streets still reecho the names of the trees of the forest, 

As if they fain would appease the Dryads whose haunts they molested. 

There from the troubled sea had Evangeline landed, an exile. 

Finding among the children of Penn a home and a country. 

There old Rene Leblanc had died; and when he departed, 

Saw at his side only one of all his hundred descendants. 

Something at least there was in the friendly streets of the city. 

Something that spake to her heart, and made her no longer a stranger; 

And her ear was pleased with the Thee and Thou of the Quakers, 

For it recalled the pist, the old Acadian country, 

Where all men were equal, and all were brothers and sisters. 

So, when the fruitless search, the disappointed endeavor. 

Ended, to recommence no more upon earth, uncomplaining, 

Thither, as leaves to the light, were turned her thoughts and her footsteps 

As from a mountain's top the rainy mists of the morning 

Roll away, and afar we behold the landscape below us, 

Sun-illum"ined, with shining rivers and cities and hamlets. 

So fell the mists from her mind, and she saw the world far below her, 

Dark no longer, but all illumined with love; and the pathwaj; 

Which she had climbed so far, lying smooth and fair in the distance. 

Gabriel was not forgotten. Within her heart was his image. _ 

Clothed in the beauty of love and youth, as last she beheld him, 

Only more beautiful made by his deathlike silence and absence. 

Into her thoughts of him time entered not, for it was not. 

Over him years had no power; he was not changed, but transfigured; 

He had become to her heart as one who is dead, and not absent: 

Patience and abnegation of self, and devotion to others. 

This was the lesson a life of trial and sorrow had taught her. 

So was her love diffused, but, like to some odorous spices. 

Suffered no waste or loss, though filled the air with aroma. 

Other hope had she none, nor wish in life, but to 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 269 

Meekly follow, vvitli reverent steps, the sacred feet of her Savior. 

Thus many years she lived as a Sister of Mercy: frequenting 

Lonely and wretched rool's in the crowded lanes of the city, 

Where distress and want concealed themselves from the sunli<fht. 

Where disease atid sorrow in garrets languished neglected. 

Niglit after night when the world was asleep, as the watchman repeated 

Loud, through the dusty streets, that all was well in the city, 

High at some lonely window he saw the light of her taper. 

Day afterday in the gray of the dawn, as slow through the suburbs 

Plodded the German farmer, with flowers and fruits for the market. 

Met he that meek, pale lace, returning home from its watchings. 

Then it came to pass that a pestilence fell on the city. 

Presaged Ijy wondrous signs, and mostly by flocks of wild pigeons, 

Darkening the sun in their flight, with naught in their craws but an acorn. 

And, as the tiaes of the sea arise in the month of September, 

Flooding some silver stream, till it spreads to a lake in the meadow. 

So death flooded life, and, o'erflowing its natural margin, 

Spread to a brackish lake, the silver stream of existence. 

Wealth had no power to bribe, nor beauty to charm, the oppressor; 

But all perished alike beneath the scourge of his anger; — 

Only, alas! the poor, who had neither triends nor attendants. 

Crept away to die in the almshouse, home of the homeless. 

Then in the suburbs it stood, in the midst of meadows and woodlands; — 

Now the city surrounds it ; but still, with its gateway and wicket 

Meek, in the midst of splendor, its humble walls seem to echo 

Softl}' the words of the Lord : "The poor ye always have with you." 

Thither, by night and by day, came the Sister of Mercy. The dying 

Looked up into her face, and thought, indeed, to behold there 

Gleams of celestial light encircle her forehead with splendor. 

Such as the artist paints o'er the brows of saints and apostles. 

Or such as hangs by night o'er a city seen at a distance. 

Unto their eyes it seemed the lamps of the city celestial. 

Into whose shining gates erelong their spirits would enter. 

Thus, on a Sabbath morn, through the streets, deserted and silent, 
Wending her quiet way, she entered the door of the almshouse. 
Sweet on the summer air was the odor of flowers in the garden. 
And she paused on her way to gather the fairest among them, 
That the dying once more might rejoice in their fragrance and beauty. 
Then, as she mounted the stairs to the corridors, cooled by the east wind, 
Distant and soft on the ear fell the chimes from the belfry of Christ Church, 
While, intermingled with these, across the meadows were wafted 
Sounds of psalms that were sung by the Swedes in their church at Wicaco. 
Soft as descending wings fell the calm of the hour on her spirit; 
Something within her said, "At length th}^ trials are ended;" 
And. with light in her looks, she entered the chambers of sickness. 
Noiselessly moved about the assiduous, careful attendants. 
Moistening the feverish lip and the aching brow, and in silence 
Closing the sightless ejes of the dead, and concealing their faces, 
18 



270 SO UTH WEST LO UlSIA XA : 

Where on their pallets they lay, like drifts ot snow by the roadside. 

Many a languid head, upraised as Evangeline entered, 

Turned on its pillow of pain to gaze while she passed, for her presence 

Fell on their hearts Hke a ray of the sun on the walls of a prison. 

And, as she looked around, she saw how Death, the consoler, 

Laying his hand upon man\' a heart, had healed it forever. 

Many familiar forms had disappeared in the night-time: 

Vacant their places were, or filled alreadj- bj- strangers. , 

Suddenlv, as if arrested by fear or a feehng of wonder, 
Still she stood, with her colorless lips apart, while a shudder 
Ran through her frame, and, forgotien, the flowerets dropped from her 
And from her eves and cheeks the light and bloom of the morning. [fingers, 
Then there escaped from her lips a cry of such terrible anguish. 
That the dving heard it, and started up from their pillows. 
On the path before her was stretched the form of an old man. 
Long, and thin, and gray were the locks that shaded his temples : 
But, as he lay in the morning light, his face for a moment 
Seemed to assume once more the forms of its earlier manhood; 
So are wont to be changed the faces of those who are dying. 
Hot and red on his lips still burned the flush of the fever. 
As if life, like the Hebrew, with blood had besprinkled its portals. 
That the Angel of Death might see the sign, and pass over. 
Motionless, senseless, dying, he lay, and his spirit exhausted 
Seemed to be sinking down through infinite depths in the darkness, 
Darkness of slumber and death, forever sinking and sinking. 
Then through the realms of shade, in multiplied reverberations. 
Heard he that cvy of pain, and through the hush that succeeded 
Whispered a gentle voice, in accents tender and saint-like, 
" Gabriel I O mv beloved I " and died away into silence. 

Then he beheld, in a dream, once more the home of his childhood: 

Green Acadian meadows, with svlvan rivers among them, 

Village, and mountain, and woodlands; and, walking under their shadow, 

As in the days of her youth, Evangeline rose in his vision. 

Tears came into his eyes; and as slowly he hfted his eyelids. 

Vanished the vision away, but Evangeline knelt by his bedside. 

Vainly he strove to whisper her name, for the accents unuttered 

Died "on his lips, and their motion revealed what his tongue would have spoken. 

Vainly he strove to rise ; and Evangeline, kneeling beside him. 

Kissed his dving lips, and laid his head on her bosom. 

Sweet was the hght of his eyes: but it suddenly sank into darkness, 

As when a lamp is blown out by a gust of wind at a casement. 

All was ended now, the hope, and the fe^r, and the sorrow. 
All the aching of heart, the restless, unsatisfied longing, 
All the dull, deep pain, and constant anguish of patience I 
And, as she pressed once more the hfeless head to her bosom, 
Meeklv she bowed her own, and murmured, "Father, I thank thee!" 



N 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 271 

Still stands the forest primeval; but far away from its shadow, 
Side by side, in their nameless graves, the lovers are sleeping, 
Under the humble walls of the little Catholic churchyard, 
In the heart of the city, they lie, unknown and unnoticed. 
Daily the tide of life go ebbing and flowing beside them. 
Thousands of throbbing hearts, where theirs are at rest and forever. 
Thousands of aching brains, where theirs no longer arc busy, 
Thousands of toiling hands, where theirs have ceased from their labors, 
Thousands of wear}' feet, where theirs have completed their journey! 

Still stands the forest primeval; but under the shade of its branches 
Dwells another race, with other customs and language. 
Only along the shore of the mournful and misty Atlantic 
Linger a few Acadian peasants, whose fathers from exile 
Wandered back to their native land to die in its bosom. 
In the fisherman's cot the wheel and the loom are still busy: 
Maidens still wear their Norman caps and their kirtles of homespun, 
And by the evening fire repeat Evangeline's story. 
While from its rocky caverns the deep-voiced, neighboring ocean 
Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest. 





NOTE II. 



CONSTITUTION OF 1879. 



We, the people of the State of Louisiana, in order to establish justice, 
insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare, and secure the bless- 
ings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, acknowledging and invoking the 
guidance of Almighty God, the author of all good government, do ordain and 

establish this Constitution. „ 

* * 

Article I. All government of right originates with the people, is founded 
on their will alone, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole, deriving 
its just powers from the consent of the governed. Its only legitimate end is to 
protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property. When it 
assumes otlier functions it is usurpation and oppression 

Art. 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 
papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be 
violated, and no warrant shall issue, except upon probable cause, supported 
by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

Art. 3. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free 
State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged. 
This shall not prevent the passage of laws to punish those who carry weapons 
concealed. 

Art. 4. No law shall be passed respecting an establishment of religion, or 
prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or 
of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition 
the government for a redress of grievances. 

Art. 5. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this 
State, otherwise than for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall 
have been duly convicted. Prosecutions shall be by indictment or information; 
■provided, that no person shall be held to answer for a capital crime, unless on 
a presentment or indictment by a grand jury, except in cases arising in the 
militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger, nor shall an}- 



274 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

person be twice put in jeopardy of life or liberty for the same offence, 
except on his own application for a new trial, or where there is a mistrial, 
or a motion in arrest of judgment is sustained. 

Art. 6. No person shall be compelled to give evidence against himself in 
a criminal case, or in any proceeding that may subject him to criminal prose- 
cution, except where otherwise provided in this constitution, nor be deprived 
of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. 

Art. 7. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a 
speedy public trial by an impartial jury, except that, in cases where the penalty 
is not necessarily imprisonment at hard labor or death, the General Assembly 
may provide for the trial thereof by a jury less than twelve in number; fro- 
vided, that the accused in every instance shall be tried in the parish wherein 
the offence shall have been committed, except in cases of change of venue. 

Art. 8. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy tlie right to 
be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with 
the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses 
in his favor, and to defend himself, and have the assistance of counsel, and to 
have the right to challenge jurors peremptorily, the number of challenges to be 
fixed by statute. 

Art. 9. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines be im- 
posed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. All persons shall be 
bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences where the proof is 
evident or the presumption great, or unless after conviction for any crime or 
offence punishable with death or imprisonment at hard labor. 

Art. 10. The privilege of the writ oi habeas corpus shall not be suspended, 
unless when in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. 

Art. II. All courts shall be open, and every person for injury done him 
in his rights, lands, goods, person, or reputation shall have adequate remedy 
by due process of law and justice administered without denial or unreasonable 
delay. 

Art. 12. The miHtary shall be in subordination to the civil power. 

Art. 13. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to den}' or 

impair other rights of the people not herein expressed. 

» 
* * 

Art. 14. The powers of the government of the State of Louisiana shall be 
divided into three distinct departments, and each of them be confided to a sep- 
arate body of magistracy, to-wit: Those which are legislative to one, those 
which are executive to another, and those which are judicial to another. 

Art. 15. No one of these departments, nor any person or collection of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 275 

persons holding office in one of them, shall exercise power properly belonging 
to either of the others, except in the instances hereinafter expressly directed or 

permitted. » 

« * 

Art. i6. Representation in the House of Representatives shall be equal and 
uniform, and shall be regulated and ascertained by the total population. Each 
parish shall have at least one Representative. The first enumeration to be made 
by the State authorities under this constitution shall be made in the 3'ear eighteen 
hundred and ninety, and subsequent enumerations shall be made every tenth year 
thereafter, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law, for the purpose of 
ascertaining the total population and the number of qualified electors in each 
parish and election district. At its first regular session after each enumeration 
the General Assembly shall apportion the representation among the several 
parishes and election districts on the basis of the total population as aforesaid. 
A representative number shall be fixed, and each parish and election district 
shall have as many representatives as the aggregate number of its population 
will entitle it to, and an additional representative for any fraction exceeding one- 
half the representative number. The number of representatives shall not be 
more than ninety-eight nor less than seventy. 

Art. 17. The General Assembly, in every year in which they shall appor- 
tion representation in the House of Representatives, shall divide the State into 
senatorial districts. No parish shall be divided in the formation of a senatorial 
district, the parish of Orleans excepted. Whenever a -new parish shall be created, 
it shall be attached to the senatorial district from which most of its territory was 
taken, or to another contiguous district, at the discretion of the General Assem- 
bly, but shall not be attached to more than one district. The number of Senators 
shall not be more than thirty-six nor less than twenty-four, and they shall be 
apportioned among the senatorial districts according to the total population con- 
tained in the several districts. 

Art. 18. Until an enumeration shall be made in accordance with Articles 16 
and 17, the State shall be divided into the following senatorial districts, with the 
number of Senators hereinafter designated to each district: 

The First Senatorial District shall be composed of the eighth and ninth 
wards of Orleans, and of the parishes of St. Bernard and Plaquemines, and shall 
elect two Senators. 

The Second District shall be composed of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh 
wards of Orleans, and shall elect two Senators. 

The Third District shall be composed of the third ward of Orleans, and 
shall elect one Senator. 

The Fourth District shall be composed of the second and fifteenth wards 
(Orleans right bank) of Orleans, and shall elect one Senator. 



276 SOUTH WEST LOUISIANA : 

The Fifth District shall be composed of the first and tenth wards of Orleans, 
and shall elect one Senator. 

The Sixth District shall be composed of the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, 
fourteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth wards of Orleans, and shall elect two Sen- 
ators. 

The Seventh District shall be composed of the parishes of Jefferson, St. 
Charles and St. John the Baptist, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Eighth District shall be composed of the parishes of St. James and 
Ascension, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Ninth District shall be composed of the parishes of Terrebonne, La- 
fourche and Assumption, and shall elect two Senators. 

The Tenth District shall be composed of the parishes of St. Mary, Vermil- 
ion, Cameron and Calcasieu, and shall elect two Senators. 

The Eleventh District shall be composed of the parishes of St. Martin, 
Iberia and Lafayette, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Twelfth District shall be composed of the parish of St. Landiy, and 
shall elect two Senators. 

The Thirteenth District shall be composed of the parishes of Avoyelles and 
Pointe Coupee, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Fourteenth District shall be composed of the parishes of Iberville and 
West Baton Rouge, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Fifteenth District shall be composed of the parishes of East and West 
Feliciana, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Sixteenth District shall be composed of the parish of East Baton 
Rouge, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Seventeenth District shall be composed of the parishes of St. Helena, 
Livingston, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany, and shall elect one 
Senator. 

The Eighteenth District shall be composed of the parishes of Rapides and 
Vernon, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Nineteenth District shall be composed of the parishes of Natchitoches, 
Sabine, DeSoto and Red River, and shall elect two Senators. 

The Twentieth District shall be composed of the parish of Caddo, and shall 
elect one Senator. 

The Twenty-first District shall be composed of the parishes of Bossier, 
Webster, Bienville and Claiborne, and shall el°ct two Senators. 

The Twenty-second District shall be composed of the parishes of Union, 
Morehouse, Lincoln and West Carroll, and shall elect two Senators. 

The Twenty-third District shall be composed of the parishes of Ouachita, 
Richland, Caldwell, Franklin and Jackson, and shall elect two Senators. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 277 

The Twenty-fourth District shall be composed of the parishes of Catahoula, 
Winn and Grant, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Twenty-fifth District shall be composed of the parishes of East Car- 
roll and Madison, and shall elect one Senator. 

The Twenty-sixth District shall be composed of the parishes of Tensas and 
Concordia, and shall elect one Senator. 

Thirty-six (36) Senators in all. 

And the Representatives shall be apportioned among the parishes and rep- 
resentative districts as follows : 

For the parish of Orleans — 

First Representative District, first ward, one Representative. 

Second Representative District, second ward, two Representatives- 
Third Representative District, third ward, three Representatives. 

Fourth Representative District, fourth ward, one Representative. 

Fifth Representative District, fifth ward, two Representatives. 

Si.xth Representative District, sixth ward, one Representative. 

Seventh Representative District, seventh ward, two Representatives. 

Eighth Representative District, eighth ward, one Representative. 

Ninth Representative District, ninth ward, two Representatives. 

Tenth Representative District, tenth ward, two Representatives. 

Eleventii Representative District, eleventh ward, two Representatives. 

Twelfth Representative District, twelfth ward, one Representatise. 

Thirteenth Representative District, thirteenth and fourteenth wards, one 
Representative. 

Fourteenth Representative District, sixteenth and seventeenth wards, one 
Representative. 

Fifteentth Representative District, fifteenth ward, one Representative. 

The parishes of Ascension, West Baton Rouge, Bienville, Bossier, Calca- 
sieu, Caldwell, Cameron, East Carroll, West Carroll, Catahoula, Concordia, 
West Feliciana, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln, 
Livingston, Morehouse, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Red River, 
Richland, Sabine, St. Bernard, St Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the 
Baptist, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, 
Washington, Webster and Winn, each one Representative. 

The parishes of Assumption, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, Clai- 
borne, DeSoto, East Feliciana, Iberville. Lafourche, Madison, Natchitoches, 
Rapides, St. Mary, Tensas, Terrebonne, each two Representatives. 

The parish of St. Landry, four Representatives. 

This apportionment of Senators and Representatives shall not be changed 
or altered in any manner until after the enumeration shall have been taken by 



278 SOUTHWEST L OUISlANA : 

the State in eighteen hundred and ninety, in accordance with tlie provisions of 

Articles i6 ana 17. » 

* * 

Art. 19. The legislative power of the State shall be vested in a General 
Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. 
Art. 20. The style of the laws of this State shall be: 
"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana." 

Art. 21. The General Assembly shall meet at the seat of government on the 
second Monday of May, 1882, at 12 o'clock, noon, and biennially thereafter. 
Its first session under this Constitution may extend to a period of ninety days, 
but any subsequent session shall be limited to a period of sixty da3's. Should a 
vacancy occur in either house, the Governor shall order an election to fill such 
vacancy for the remainder of the term. 

Art. 22. Every elector under this constitution shall be eligible to a seat in 
the House of Representatives, and every elector who has reached the age of 
twenty-five years shall be eligible to the Senate ; provided, that no person shall 
be eligible to the General Assembly unless at the time of his election he has 
been a citizen of the State for five years and an actual resident of the district or 
parish from which he may be elected for two years immediately preceding his 
election. The seat of any member who may change his residence from the dis- 
trict or parish which he represents shall thereby be vacated, any declaration of 
a retention of domicile to the contrary notwithstanding, and members of the 
General Assembly shall be elected for a term of four years. 

Art. 23. Each house shall judge of the qualifications, election, and returns 
of its own members, choose its own officers (except President of the Senate), 
determine the rules of its proceedings, and may punish its members for disor- 
derly conduct and contempt, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its 
members elected, expel a member. 

Art. 24. Either house, during the session, may punish by imprisonment ■ 
any person not a member who shall have been guilty of disrespect by disorderly 
or contemptuous behavior, but such imprisonment shall not exceed ten days for 
each offence. 

Art. 25. No Senator or Representative shall, during the term for which he 
was elected, nor for one year thereafter, be appointed or elected to any civil 
office of profit under this State which may have been created or the emoluments 
of which may have been increased by the General Assembly during the time 
such Senator or Representative was a member thereof. 

Art. 26. The members of the General Assembly shall in all cases, except 
treason, felon)r, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their 
attendance at the sessions of their respective houses, and in going to and return- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 279 

ing from the same ; and for any speech or debate in either house they shall not 
be questioned in any other place. 

Art. 27. The members of the General Assembly shall receive a compensa- 
tion not to exceed four dollars per day during their attendance, and their actual 
traveling expenses going to and returning from the seat of government; but in 
no instance shall more than thirty dollars each way be allowed for traveling 
expenses. 

Art. 28. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and cause the 
same to be published immediately after the close of the session; when practica- 
ble, the minutes of each day's session shall be printed and placed in the hands 
of the members on the day following. The original journal shall be preserved, 
after publication, in the office of the Secretary of State ; but there shall be re- 
quired no other record thereof. 

Art. 29. Every law enacted by the General Assembly shall embrace but 
one object, and that shall be expressed in the title. 

Art. 30. No law shall be revived or amended by reference to its title; but 
in such cases the act revived or section as amended shall be reenacted and 
published at length. 

Art. 31. The General Assembly shall never adopt any system or code of 
laws by general reference to such system or code of laws; but in all cases shall 
recite at length the several provisions of the laws it may enact. 

Art. 32. Not less than a majority of the members of each house of the 
General Assembly shall form a quorum to transact business ; but a smaller num- 
ber may adjourn from day to day, and shall have power to compel the attendance 
of absent members. 

Art. 33. Neither house during the session of the General Assembly shall, 
without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any 
other place than that in which it may be sitting. 

Art. 34. The yeas and nays on any question in either house shall, at the de- 
sire of one-fifth of the members elected, be entered on the journal. 

Art. 35. All bills for raising revenue or appropriating money shall originate 
in the House of Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur in 
amendments, as in other bills. 

Art. 36. No bill, ordinance, or resolution, intended to have the effect of a 
law, which shall have been rejected by either house, shall be again proposed in 
the same house during the same session, under the same or any other title, with- 
out the consent of a majority of the house by which the same was rejected. 

Art. 37. Every bill shall be read on three different days in each house, and 
no bill shall be considered for final passage unless it has been read once in full, 
and the same has been reported on by a committee. Nor shall any bill become 



280 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

a law unless, on its final passage, tlievote be taken by yeas and nays, the names 
of the members voting for or against the same be entered on the journal, and a 
majority of the members elected to each house be recorded thereon as voting in 
its favor. 

Art. 38. No amendment to bills by one house shall be concurred in by the 
other, except by a vote of a majority of the members elected thereto, taken by 
yeas and nays, and the names of those voting for or against recorded upon the 
journal thereof. And reports of committees of conference shall be adopted in 
either house only by a majority of the members elected thereto, the vote to be 
taken by yeas and nays, and the names of those voting for or against recorded 
upon the journal. 

Art. 39. Whenever a bill that has been passed by both houses is enrolled 
and placed in possession of the house in which it originated, the title shall be 
read, and, at the request of any five members, the bill shall be read in full, when 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the President of the Senate, as 
the case may be, shall act at once, sign it in open house, and the fact of signing 
shall be noted on the journal; thereupon the Clerk or Secretar}' shall imme- 
diately convey the bill to the other house, whose presiding officer shall cause a 
suspension of all other business to read and sign the bill in open session and 
without delay; as soon as bills are signed by the Speaker of the House and 
President of the Senate, they shall be taken at once, and on the same day, to 
the Governor by the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate. 

Art. 40. No law passed by the General Assembly, except the general ap- 
propriation act, or act appropriating money for the expenses of the General As- 
sembly, shall take effect until promulgated. A law shall be considered 
promulgated at the place where the State journal is published the day after the 
publication of such law in the State journal, and in all other parts of the State 
twenty days after such publication. 

Art. 41. The clerical officers of the two houses shall be a Secretary of the 
Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, with such assistants as may 
be necessary; but the expenses for the clerks and employes shall not exceed 
sixty dollars daily for the Senate nor seventy dollars daily for the House. 

Art. 42. All stationery, printing paper, and fuel used in the legislative and 
other departments of government shall be furnished, and the printing, binding, 
and distributing {of the laws, journals, and department reports, and all other 
printing and binding, and the repairing and furnishing the halls and rooms used 
for the meetings of the General Assembly and its committees, shall be done 
under contract, to be given to the lowest responsible bidder below such maximum 
price and under such regulations' as shall be prescribed by law; provided, that 
such contracts shall be awarded only to citizens of the State. No member or 
officers of any of the departments of the government shall be in any way 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 281 

interested in such contracts; and all such contracts shall be subject to the ap- 
proval of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, or of any two of them. 



Art. 43. No money shall be drawn from the treasury except in pursuance 
of specific appropriation made by law; nor shall any appropriation of money be 
made for a longer term than two years. A regular statement and account of 
receipts and expenditures of all public moneys shall be published every three 
months, in such manner as shall be prescribed b}' law. 

Art. 44. The General Assembly shall have no power to contract, or to 
authorize the contracting, of any debt or liability, on behalf of the State, or to 
issue bonds or other evidence of indebtedness thereof, except for the purpose of 
repelling invasion or for the suppression of insurrection. 

Art. 45. The General Assembly shall have no power to grantor to authorize 
any parish or municipal authority to grant any extra compensation, fee, or 
allowance to a public officer, agent, servant, or contractor, nor pay, nor 
authorize the payment of, any claim against the State, or any parish or munici- 
pality of the State, under any agreement or contract made without express 
authorit}' of law; and all such unauthorized agreements or contracts shall be 
null and void. 

Art. 46. The General Assembly shall not pass any local or special law on 
the following specified objects: 

For the opening and conducting of elections, or fixing or changing the place 
of voting. 

Changing the names of persons. 

Changing the venue in civil or criminal cases. 

Authorizing the laj'ing out, opening, closing, altering, or maintaining roads, 
highways, streets, or alleys, or relating to ferries and bridges, or incorporating 
bridge or ferry companies, except for the erection of bridges crossing streams 
which form boundaries between this and any other State. 

Authorizing the adoption or legitimation of children or the emancipation of 
minors. 

Granting divorces. 

Changing the law of descent or succession. 

Affecting the estates of minors or persons under disabilities. 

Remitting fines, penalties and forfeitures, or refunding moneys legally paid 
into the treasury. 

Authorizing the constructing of street-passenger railroads in aii}' incorpor- 
ated town or cit}'. 

Regulating labor, trade, manufacturing, or agriculture. 



282 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Creating corporations, or amending, renewing, extending, or explaining the 
charter ihereoi ; provided, that this shall not apply to the corporation of the city 
of New Orleans, or to the organization of levee districts and parishes. 

Granting to any corporation, association, or individual any special or exclu- 
sive right, privilege or immunity. 

Extending the time for the assessment or collection of taxes, or for the 
relief of any assessor or collector of taxes from the due performance of his 
official duties, or of his securities from liability; nor shall any such be passed 
by any political corporation of this State. 

Regulating the practice or jurisdiction of any court, or changing the rules 
of evidence in any judicial proceeding or inquiry before courts, or providing or 
changing methods for the collection of debts, or the enforcement of judgments, 
or prescribing the effects of judicial sales. 

Exemption of propertj^ from taxation. 

Fixing the rate of interest. 

Concerning any civil or criminal action. 

Giving effect to informal or invalid wills or deeds, or to any illegal disposi- 
tion of property. 

Regulating the management of public schools, the building or repairing of 
school houses, and the raising of money for such purposes. 

Legalizing the unauthorized or invalid acts of any officer, servant, agent 
of the State, or of any parish or municipality thereof. 

Art. 47. Tlie General Assembly shall not indirectly enact special or local 
laws by the partial repeal of a general law ; but laws repealing local or special 
laws may be passed. 

Art. 48. No local or special law shall be passed on any subject not enumerated 
in Article 46 of this Constitution, unless notice of tiie intention to apply therefor 
shall have been published, without cost to the State, in the locality where the 
matter or thing to be affected may be situated, which notice shall state the sub- 
stance of the contemplated law, and shall be published at least thirty days prior 
to the introduction into the General Assembly of such bill, and in the same 
manner provided by law for the advertisement of judicial sales. The evidence 
of such notice having been published shall be exhibited in the General Assem- 
bly before such act shall be passed, and every such act shall contain a recital 
that such notice has been given. 

Art. 49. No law shall be passed fixing the price of manual labor. 

Art. 50. Any member of the General Assembly who has a personal or 
private interest in any measure or bill proposed or pending before the General 
Assembly shall disclose the fact to the house of which he is a member, and shall 
not vote thereon. 

Art. 51. No money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



283 



or indirectly, in aid of an\- church, sect or denomination of religion, or in aid of 
any priest, preacher, minister, or teacher thereof, as such, and no preference 
shall ever be given to, nor any discrimination made against, any church, sect, 
or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship; nor shall any 
appropriation be made for private, charitable, or benevolent purposes to any 
person or community ; provided, this shall not apply to the State asylums for 
the insane, and deaf, dumb and blind, and the charity hospitals and public 
charitable institutions conducted under State authority. 

Art. 52. The General Assembly shall have no power to increase the 
expenses of any office by appointing assistant officials. 

Art. 53. The general appropriation bill shall embrace nothing but appro- 
priations for the ordinary expenses of the government, interest on the public 
debt, public schools and public charities, and such bill shall be so itemized as 
to show for what account each and every appropriation shall be made. All 
other appropriations shall be made by separate bills, each embracing but one 
object. 

Art. 54. Each appropriation shall be for a specific purpose, and no appro- 
priation shall be made under the head or title of contingent ; nor shall any officer 
or department of government receive any amount from the treasury for contin- 
gencies, or for a contingent fund. 

Art. 55 . No appropriation of money shall be made by the General Assembly 
m the last five days of the session thereof; all appropriations, to be valid, shall 
be passed and receive the signatures of the President of the Senate and Speaker 
of the Flouse of Representatives five full days before the adjournment sine die 
of the General Assembly. 

Art. 56. The funds, credit, property, or things of value of the State, or of 
any political corporation thereof, shall not be loaned, pledged, or granted to or 
for any person or persons, association or corporation, public or "private ; nor 
shall the State, or any political corporation, purchase or subscribe to the capital 
or stock of any corporation or association whatever, or for any private enter- 
^prise. Nor shall the State, nor any political corporation .thereof , assume the 
labilities of any political, municipal, parochial, private, or other corporation or 
association whatsoever; nor shall the State undertake to carry on the business of 
any such corporation or association, or become a part owner therein; provided, 
the State, through the General Assembly, shall have power to grant the right of 
way through its public lands to any railroad or canal. 

Art. 57. The General Assembly shall have no power to release or extin- 
guish, or to authorize the releasing or extinguishing, in whole or in part, the 
indebtedness, liability, or obligation of any corporation or individual to this 
State, or to any parish or municipal corporation therein ; provided, the heirs to 



284 .V O UTH WEST L O UISIA NA : 

confiscated property may be released of all taxes due thereon at the date of 

its reversion to them. , 

» • 

Art. 58. The Executive Department shall consist of a Governor, Lieuten- 
ant Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State. 

Art. 59. The supreme executive power of the State shall be vestedin a chief 
magistrate, who shall be styled the Governor of Louisiana. He shall hold his 
office during four years, and, together with the Lieutenant Governor, chosen for 
the same term, sliall be elected as follows: The qualified electors for Represen- 
tatives shall vote for a Governor and Lieutenant Governor at the time and place 
of voting for Representatives. 

The returns of every election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall 
be sealed up separately from ttie returns of election of other officers, and trans- 
mitted by the proper officer of every parish to the Secretary of State, who shall 
deliver them, unopened, to the General Assembly then next to be holden. The 
members of the General Assembly shall meet on the first Thursday after the day 
on which they assemble, in the House of Representatives, to examine and count 
the votes. The person having the greatest number of votes for Governor shall 
be declared duly elected; but in case two or more persons shall be equal and 
highest in the number of votes polled for Governor, one of them sliall be imme- 
diately chosen Governor by the joint vote of the members of the General 
Assembly. The persons having the greatest number of votes for Lieutenant 
Governor shall be Lieutenant Governor; but if two or more persons shall be 
equal and highest in number of votes polled for Lieutenant Governor, one of 
them shall be immediately chosen Lieutenant Governor b}' joint vote of the mem- 
bers of the General Assembly. 

Art. 60. No person shall be eligible to the ottice of Governor or Lieutenant 
Governor who shall not have attained the age of thirty years, been ten j'ears a 
citizen of the United States, and resident of the State for the same space of time 
next preceding his election, or who shall be a member of Congress, or shall hold 
office under the United States at the time of or within six months immediately 
preceding the election for sucli office. 

Art. 61. The Governor shall enter on the discharge of his duties the first 
Monday next ensuing the announcement by the General Assembly of the result 
of the election for Governor, and shall continue in office Until the Monday next 
succeeding the day that his successor shall have been declared dul}' elected and 
shall have taken the oath or affirmation required by this Constitution. 

Art. 62. In case of the impeachment of the Governor, his removal from 
office, death, refusal or inability to qualify, disability, resignation, or absence 
from the State, the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon the Lieu- 
tenant Governor for the residue of the term, or until the Governor, absent or 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 285 

impeached, shall return or be acquitted, or the disability be removed. In the 
event of the removal, impeachment, death, resignation, disability or refusal to 
qualify of both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the President fro iem- 
fore of the Senate shall act until the disability be removed, or for the residue of 
the term. 

Art. 63. The Lieutenant Governor or otlicer discharging the duties of Gov- 
ernor shall, during his administration, receive the same compensation to which 
the Governor would have been entitled had he continued in office. 

Art. 64. The Lieutenant Governor shall, by virtue of his office, be Presi- 
dent of the Senate, but shall have only a casting vote therein. Tlie Senate shall 
elect one of its members as President /re; tempore of the Senate. 

Art. 65. The Lieutenant Governor shall receive for his services a salary 
which shall be double that of a member of the General Assembly, and no more. 

Art. 66. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves for all offenses 
against the State, and, except in cases of impeachment or treason, shall, upon 
the recommendation, in writing, of the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, 
and presiding judge of the court before which conviction was )iad, or of any 
two of them, have power to grant pardons, commute sentences, and remit fines 
and forfeitures after conviction. In cases of treason, he may grant reprieves 
until the end of the next session of the General Assembly, in which body the 
power of pardoning is vested. 

Art. 67. The Governor shall receive a salar}- of four thousand dollars per 
annum, payable monthly on his own warrant. 

Art. 68. He shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, appoint, all officers whose offices are established by this Constitution, 
and whose appointments or elections are not herein otherwise provided for; 
provided, however, that the General Assembly shall have the right to prescribe 
the mode of appointment or election to all offices created by it. 

Art. 69. The Governor shall have the power to fill vacancies that majr 
happen during the recess of the Senate, in cases not otherwise provided for in 
this Constitution, by granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of the 
next session ; but no person who has been nominated for office and rejected 
shall be appointed to the same office during the recess of the Senate. The 
failure of the Governor to send into the Senate the name of any person appoint- 
ed for office, as herein provided, shall be equivalent to a rejection. 

Art. 70. He may require information in writing from the officers in the 
Executive Department upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective 
offices. He shall be Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the State, except 
when the}' shall be called into the actual service of the United States. 

Art. 71. He shall, from time to time, give to the General Assembly in- 
19 



286 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA . 

formation respecting the situation of the Stale, and recommend to its consider- 
ation such measures as he may deem expedient. 

Art. 72. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and he 
may, on extraordinar}- occasions, convene the General Assembly at the seat of 
government, or, if that shouVl have become dangerous from an enemy or from 
an epidemic, at a different place. The 'power to legislate shall be limited to the 
objects enumerated specifically in the proclamation convening such extraordi 
nary session; therein the Governor shall also limit the time suchsession vi\z.yj cox\- 
tinue; provided, it shall not exceed twenty days. Any legislative action had 
after the time so limited, or as to other objects than those enumerated in said 
proclamation, shall be null and void. 

Art. 73. Every bill which shall have passed both houses shall be presented 
to the Governor; if he approve, he shall sign it: it not, he shall return it, with 
his objections, to the house in which it originated, which house shall enter the 
objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after sucli 
reconsideration, two-thirds of all the members elected to that house shall agree 
to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other house, by which 
likewise it shall be reconsidered, and if passed by two-thirds of the members 
elected to that house it shall be a law: but in such cases the votes of both houses 
shall be taken bv\eas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and 
against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If 
any bill shall not be returned by the Governor within five days after it shall have 
been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had 
signed it, unless the General Assembly b}' adjournment shall prevent its return, 
in which case it shall not be a law. 

Art. 74- The Governor shall have power to disapprove of any item or items 
of any bill making appropriations of mone}-, embracing distinct items, and the 
part or parts of the bill approved shall be law, and the item or items of appro- 
priation disapproved shall be void, unless repassed according to the rules and 
limitations prescribed for the passage of other bills over the executive veto. 

Art. 75. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of both 
houses may be necessary, except on a question of adjournment, or on matters 
of parliamentary proceedings, or an address for removal from ofl?ice, shall be 
presented to the Governor, and before it shall take effect be approved by him, 
or, being disapproved, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the members elected 
to each house. 

Art. 76. The Treasurer, Auditor, Attorne\' General, and Secretary of 
State shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State for the term of four 
years; and in case of vacancy caused by death, resignation, or permanent 
absence of either of said officers, the Govereor shall fill such vacancy bj^ ap- 
pointment, with the advice and consent of the Senate; provided, however, that 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 287 

notwithstanding such appointment, such vacancy shall be filled by election at the 
next election after the occurrence of the vacancy. 

Art. 77. The Auditor of Public Accounts shall receive a salary of two thou- 
sand five hundred dollars per annum; the Treasurer shall receive a salary of 
two thousand dollars per annum; and the Secretary of State shall receive a 
salary of one thousand eight hundred dollars per annum. Each of the before, 
named officers shall be paid monthlv, and no fees or perquisites or other com- 
pensation shall l)e allowed to said officers; provided, that the Secretary of State 
mav be allowed fees as may be provided by law for copies and certificates fur- 
nished to private persons. 

Art. 78. Appropriations for the clerical expenses of the officers named in 
the preceding article shall specify each item of such appropriations; and shall 
not exceed in anj- one year, for the Treasurer, the sum of two thousand dollars; 
for the Secretary of State, the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars; and 
for the Auditor of Public Accounts, the sum of four thousand dollars. 

Art. 79. All commissions shall be in the name and by the authority of the 
State of Louisiana, and shall be sealed with the State seal, signed by the Gov- 
ernor, and countersigned b\- the Secretary of State. 

» » 

Art. 80. The judicial power shall be vested in a Supreme Court, in courts 
of appeal, in district courts, and in justices of the peace. 

Art. 81. The Supreme Court, except in cases hereinafter provided, shall 
have appellate jurisdiction only, which jurisdiction shall extend to all cases when 
the matter in dispute, or the fund to be distributed, whatever may be the amount 
thertin claimed, shall exceed one thousand dollars, exclusive of interest; to suits 
for divorce and separation from bed and board, and to all cases in which the 
constitutionality or legality of any tax, toll, or impost whatever, or of any fine, 
forfeiture, or penalty imposed by a municipal corporation, shall be in contesta 
tion, whatever may be the amount thereof, and in such cases the appeal on the 
law and the fact shall be directly from the court in which the case originated to 
the Supreme Court ; and to criminal cases on questions of law alone whenever 
the punishment of death or imprisonment at hard labor maybe inflicted or a fine 
e.xceeding three hundred dollars ($300) is actually imposed. 

Art. 82. The Supreme Court shall be composed of one Chief Justice and 
four x\ssociate Justices, a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum. The 
Chief Justice and Associate Justices shall each receive a salary of five thousand 
dollars ($5000) per annum, payable monthly on their own warrants. They 
sh.dl be appointed by tlie Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate. The first Supreme Court to be organized under this Constitution shall 
be appointed as follows: The Chit^f Justice for the term of twelve years ; one 
Associate Justice for the term of ten years; one for the term of eight years ; 



288 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA . 

one for the term of six }-ears ; one for the term of four years; and the Governor 
shall designate in the commission of each the term for which such judge is ap- 
pointed. In case of death, resignation, or removal from office of any of said 
judges, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term of 
sucli judge, and upon expiration of the term of any of said judges the office 
shall be filled by appointment for a term of twelve years. They shall be citizens 
of the United States and of the State, over thirty-five years of age, learned in 
the law. and shall have practised law in this State for ten years preceding their 
appointment. 

Art. 83. The State shall be di\ided into four Supreme Court Districts, and 
the Supreme Court shall always be composed of judges appointed from said 
districts. 

The parishes of Orleans, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, St. Bernard, 
Plaquemines, and Jefferson shall compose the first district, from whicli two 
judges shall be appointed. 

The parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, Claiborne, Union, 
Lincoln, Jackson, Caldwell, Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Franklin, West 
Carroll, East Carroll, Madison, Tensas and Catahoula, shall compose the 
second district, from which one judge shall be appointed. 

The parishes of DeSoto, Red River, Winn, Grant, Natchitoches, Sa- 
bine, Vernon, Calcasieu, Cameron, Rapides, Avoyelles, Concordia, Pointe 
Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, St. Landry, Lafayette, and Vermilion 
shall compose the third district, from which one judge shall be appointed. 

And the parishes of St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, As- 
sumption, St. James, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West 
Feliciana, St. Helena, Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washing- 
ton shall compose the fourth district, from which one judge shall be appointed. 

Art. 84. Tlie Supreme Court shall hold its sessions in the city of New 
Orleans from the first Monday in the month of November to the end of the 
month of Maj- in each and every year. The General Assembly shall have 
power to fix the sessions elsewhere during the rest of the year. Until other- 
wise provided, the sessions shall be held as heretofore. The}^ shall appoint 
their own clerks, and femove them at pleasure. 

Art. 85. No judgment shall be rendered by the Supreme Court with- 
out the concurrence of three judges. Whenever three members can not con- 
cur, in consequence of the recusation of any member or members of the court, 
the judges not recused shall have authority to call upon any judge or judges of 
the district courts, whose dut}' it shall be, when so called upon, to sit in the 
place of the judge or judges recused, and to aid in the determination of the 
case. 

Art. 86. All judges, by virtue of their office, shall be conservators of the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 289 

peace throughout the State. The style of all process shall be, "The State of 
Louisiana." All prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by the au- 
thority of the State of Louisiana, and conclude: "Against the peace and dignity 
of the same." 

Art. 87. The judges of all courts, whenever practicable, shall refer to the 
law by virtue of whicli every definitive judgement is rendered; but in all cases 
they shall adduce the reasons on which their judgment is founded. 

Art. 88. There shall be a reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court, 
who shall report in full all cases which he may be required to report by law or 
by the court. He shall publish in the reports the title, numbers, and head notes 
of all cases decided, whether reported in full or not. 

In all cases reported in full he shall make a brief statement of the principal 
points presented and authorities cited by counsel. 

He shall be appointed by a majority of the court, and hold his office and be 
removable at their pleasure. 

His salary shall be fixed by the court, and shall not exceed fifteen hundred 
dollars per annum, payable monthly on his own warrant. 

Art. 80. The Supreme Court, and each of the judges thereof, shall have 
power to issue writs of habeas corpus at the instance of all persons in actual 
custod}^ in cases where it may have appellate jurisdiction. 

Art. 90. The Supreme Court shall have control and general supervision over 
all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of certiorari, prohibi- 
tion, mandamus, quo warranto, and other remedial writs. 

Art. 91. The General Assembly shall provide for appeals from the district 
courts to the Supreme Court upon questions of law alone, when the party or 
parties aggrieved desire only a review of the law. 

Art. 92. Except as herein provided, no duties or functions shall everbe at- 
tached by law to the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, or district courts, or the 
several judges thereof, but such as are judicial; and the said judges are pro- 
hibited from receiving any fees of office or other compensation than their sala- 
ries for any official duties performed by them. No judicial powers, except as 
committing magistrates in criminal cases, shall be conferred on any officers other 
than those mentioned in this title, except such as may be necessary in towns and 
cities, and the judicial powers of such officers shall not extend further than the 
cognizance of cases arising under the police regulations of towns and cities in 
the Slate. 

Art. 93. The judges of all courts shall be liable to impeachment for crimes 
and misdemeanors. For any reasonable cause the Governor shall remove any 
of them on the address of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the 
General Assembly. In every case the cause or causes for which such removal 



290 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

may be required shall be stated at lengtli in the address, and inserted in the 
journal of each house. 

Art. 94. There shall be an Attorney General for the State, w.ho shall be 
elected by the qualified electors of the State at large every four 3'ears. He shall 
be learned in law, and shall have actually resided and practised law as a licensed 
attorney in the State five years next preceding his election. He shall receive a 
salary of three thousand dollars per annum, payable moiitlily on his own war- 
rant. 

Art. 95. The courts of appeal, except in cases hereinafter provided, shall 
have appellate jurisdiction only, which jurisdiction shall extend to all cases, civil 
or probate, when the matter in dispute or the funds to be distributed shall ex- 
ceed two hundred dollars, exclusive of interest, and shall not exceed one thou- 
sand dollars, exclusive of interest. 

Art. 96. The courts of appeal shall be composed of two circuit judges, 
who shall be elected by the two houses of the General Assembly in joint session. 
The first jndges of the courts of appeals under this constitution shall be elected 
for the following term? : One judge for each court for the term of four years, 
and one judge for the term of eight years. 

They shall be learned in the law, and shall have resided and practised law 
in this State for six 3'ears, and shall have been actual residents of the circuit 
from which thej^ shall be elected for at least two 3'ears next preceding tlieir elec- 
tion. 

Art. 97. The State, with the exception of the parish of Orleans, shall be 
divided into five circuits, from each of which two judges shall be elected. Until 
otherwise provided by law, the parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, 
DeSoto, Red River, Claiborne, Union, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Sabine, Jackson, 
Winn and Caldwell shall compose the First Circuit. 

The parishes of Ouachita, Richland, Morehouse, West Carroll, Catahoula, 
Franklin, Madison, East Carroll. Concordia and Tensas shall compose the 
Second Circuit. 

The parishes of Rapides, Grant, Avoyelles, St. Landry, Vernon, Calcasieu, 
Cameron, Lafa3^ette, Vermilion, St. Martin and Iberia shall compose the Third 
Circuit. 

The parishes of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, East 
Feliciana, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Livingston, St. Tamman3-, Washington, 
Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana shall compose the Fourth Circuit. 

And the parishes of St. Mar3-, Terrebonne, Ascension, Lafourche, Assump- 
tion, Plaquemine, St. Bernard, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and 
St. James shall compose the Fifth Circuit. 

Art. 98. The judges of the courts of appeal, until otherwise provided by 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 291 

law, shall hold two tt-rms annually in each parish composing their respective 
circuits. 

Art. 99. Until otherwise jirovided by law, the terms of the circuit courts 
of appeal shall be as follows : 

I. 

Caddo — First Mondays in January and June. 
Bossier — Third Mondays in Januar}' and June. 
Webster — First Mondays in Februar}? and Juh'. 
Bienville — Second Mondays in February and July. 
Claiborne — Third Mondays in February and July. 
Union — First Mondays in March and October. 
Lincoln — Second ]Monda3's in March and October. 
Jackson — Third Mondays in March and October. 
Caldwell — Fourth Mondays in March and October. 
Winn — First Mondays in April and November. 
Natchitoches — Second Mondays in April and November. 
Sabine — Fourth Monda3"S in April and November. 
DeSoto — First Mondays in May and December. 
Red River — Third Mondays in Ma}' and December. 



Ouachita — First ]Monda3-s in January and June. 
Richland — Fourth Mondays in January and June. 
Franklin — First Mondays in Februar}- and July. 
Catahoula — Second Monda3'S in February and July. 
Concordia — Fourth Mondays in February and July. 
Tensas — Second Mondaj'S in March and October. 
Madison — Fourth Mondays in March and October. 
East Carroll — Second Mondays in April and November. 
West Carroll — Fourth Mondays in April and November. 
Morehouse — First Mondays in May and December. 

III. 

St. Landry — First Mondays in January and June. 
Avoyelles — Fourth Mondays in January and June. 
Rapides — Second Mondays in February and Jul}'. 
Grant — Fourth Mondays in February and July. 
Vernon — First Mondays in March and October. 
Calcasieu — Second Mondays in March and October. 
Cameron — Fourth Mondays in March and October. 
Vermilion — First Mondays in April and November. 



292 SO UTH WEST L O UISIANA : 

Lafayette — Second Mondays in April and November. 
Iberia — Fourth Mondays in April and November. 
St. Martin — Second Mondays in May and December. 

IV. 

East Baton Rouf^je — First Mondays in Januar}' and June. 
West Baton Rouge — Fourtli Mondays in January and June. 
Livingston — First Mondays in February and July. 
Tangipahoa — Second Mondays in February and July. 
St. Tammany — Fourth Mondays in February and July. 
Washington — First Mondays in March and October. 
St. Helena — Second Mondays in March and October. 
East Feliciana — Fourth Mondays in March and October. 
West Feliciana — Second Mondays in April and November. 
Pointe Coupee — Fourth Mondays in April and November. 
Iberville — Second Mondays in May and December. 

V. 

St. Mary — First Mondays in Januar}' and June. 

Terrebonne — Third Mondays in January and June. 

Assumption — First Monda3S in February and July. 

Lafourche — Third Mondays in February and July. 

St. Charles — First Mondays in March and October. 

Jefferson — Second Mondays in March and October. 

St. Bernard — Fourth Mondays in March and October. 

Plaquemines — First Monda3's in April and November. 

St. John the Baptist — Second Monda3's in April and November. 

St. James — Third Mondays in April and November. 

Ascension — Second Mondays in May and December. 

Art. loo. Whenever the first day of the term shall fall on a legal holiday, 
the court shall begin its sessions on the first legal day thereafter. 

Art. loi. Whenever the judges composing the courts of appeal shall con- 
cur, their judgment shall be final. 

Whenever there shall be a disagreement, the judgment appealed from shall 
stand affirmed. 

Art. I02. All causes on appeal to the courts of appeal shall be tried on 
the original record, pleadings and evidence in the district court. 

Art. 103. The rules of practice regulating appeals to and proceedings in 
the Supreme Court, shall apply to appeals and proceedings in the courts of ap- 
peal, so far as they may be applicable, until otherwise provided by law. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 293 

Art. 104. The judges of the courts of appeal shall have power to issue 
writs of habeas corpus at the instance of all persons in actual custody, within 
their respective circuits. The}' shall also have authority to issue writs of man- 
damus, prohibition and certiorari in aid of their appellate jurisdiction. 

Art. 105. The judges of the courts of appeal shall each receive a salary of 
four thousand dollars per annum, payable monthly on their respective warrants. 

The General Assembly shall provide by law for the trial of recused cases 
in the courts of appeal. 

Art. 106. The sheriff of the parish in which sessions of the court are held 
shall attend in person or by deputy to execute the orders of the court. 

VI. 

Art. 107. The State shall be divided into not less than twenty nor more 
than thirty judicial districts, the parish of Orleans excepted. 

Art. 108. Until otherwise provided bylaw, there shall be twenty-six districts. 

The parish of Caddo shall compose the First District. 

The parishes of Bossier, Webster and Bienville shall compose the Second 
District. 

The parishes of Claiborne, Union and Lincoln shall compose the Third 
District. 

The parishes of Jackson, Winn and Caldwell shall compose the Fourth 
District. 

The parishes of Ouachita and Richland shall compose the Fifth District. 

The parishes of Morehouse and West Carroll shall compose the Sixth 
District. 

The parishes of Catahoula and Franklin shall compose the Seventh District. 

The parishes of Madison and East Carroll shall compose the Eighth District. 

The parishes of Concordia and Tensas shall compose the Ninth District. 

The parishes of DeSoto and Red River shall compose the Tenth District. 

The parishes of Natchitoches and Sabine shall compose the Eleventh Dis- 
trict. 

The parishes of Rapides, Grant and Avoyelles shall compose the Twelfth 
District. 

The parish of St. Landry shall compose the Thirteenth District. 

The parishes of Vernon, Calcasieu and Cameron shall compose the Four- 
teenth District. 

The parishes of Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana shall compose the Fif- 
teenth District. 

The parishes of East Feliciana and St. Helena shall compose the Sixteenth 
District. 

The parish of East Baton Rouge shall compose the Seventeenth District. 



294 SO U7 H JVBS7' L O UISIA NA : 

The parishes of Tangipal)oa, Liviiifrston, St. Tammany and Washington 
shall compose the Eighteenth District. 

The parishes of St. Mary and Terrebonne shall compose the Nineteenth 
District. 

The parishes of Lafourche and Assumption shall compose the Twentieth 
District. 

The parishes of St. Martin and Iberia shall compose the Twenty-first 
District. 

The parishes of Ascension and St. James shall compose the Twenty-second 
District. 

The parishes of West Baton Rouge and Iberville shall compose the Twenty- 
third District. 

The parishes of Plaquemines and St. Bernard shall compose the Twent)^- 
fourth District. 

The parishes of Lafayette and Vermilion shall compose the Twenty-hfth 
District. 

And the parishes of Jefferson, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist shall 
compose the Twenty-sixth District. 

Art. 109. District courts shall have original jurisdiction in all civil matters 
where the amount in dispute shall exceed fifty dollars, exclusive of interest. 

They shall have unHmited original jurisdiction in all criminal, probate, and 
succession matters, and when a succession is a party defendant. 

The district judges shall be elected by a plurality of the quahfied voters 
of their respective districts, in which the}' shall have been actual residents for 
two years next preceding their election. 

They shall be learned in the law, and shall have practised law in the State 
for five years previous to their election. 

They shall be elected for the term of four years. All elections to fill va- 
cancies occasioned by death, resignation or removal shall be for the unexpired 
term, and the Governor shall fill the vacancy until an election can be held. 

The judges of the district courts shall each receive a salary of three thou- 
sand dollars per annum, payable monthly on their respective warrants. 

Art. no. The General Assembly shall have power to increase the number 
of district judges in any district whenever the public business may require. 

Art. III. The district courts shall have jurisdiction of appeals from jus- 
tices of the peace in all matters where the amount in controversy shall exceed 
ten dollars, exclusive of interest. 

Art. 112. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the trial of re- 
cused cases in the district courts by the selection of licensed attorneys at law, 
by an interchange of judges, or otherwise. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 295 

Art. 113. Wherever in this Constitution the qualification of any justice or 
judge shall be the previous practice of the law for a term of years, there shall 
be included in such term the time such justice or judge shall have occupied the 
bench of any court of record in this State ; provided, he shall have been a 
licensed attorney for five years before his election or appointment. 

Art. 114. No judge of any court of the State shall be affected in his term 
of office, salary, or jurisdiction as to territory or amount during the term or 
period for which he was elected or appointed. Any legislation so affecting any 
judge or court shall take effect only at the end of the term of office of the judge 
or judges, incumbents of the court or courts to which such legislation may appl}' 
at the time of its enactment. This article shall not affect the provisions of this 
Constitution relative to impeachment or removal from office. 

Art. 115. The district judges shall have power to issue writs of habeas 
corpus at the instance of all persons in actual custody in their respective dis- 
tricts. 

Art. 116. The General Assembl}- at its first session under this Constitution 
shall provide b}- general law for the selection of competent and intelligent jurors, 
who shall have capacity to serve as grand jurors, and try and determine both 
civil and criminal cases, and may provide in civil cases that a verdict be ren- 
dered by the concurrence of a less number than the whole. 

Art. 117. In those districts composed of one parish there shall not be less 
than six terms of the district court each year. 

In all other districts there shall be in each parish not less than four terms of 
the district court each year, except in the parish of Cameron, in which there 
shall not be less than two terms of the district court each year. 

Until provided by law, the terms of the district court in each parish shall 
be fixed by a rule of said court, which shall not be changed without notice by 
publication at least thirty days priorto such change. 

There shall be in each parish not less than two jury terms each year, at 
which a grand jury shall be impaneled, except in the parish of Cameron, in 
which there shall not be less than one jury term each year, at which a grand 
jury shall be impaneled. 

At other than jury terms the General Assembly shall provide for special 
juries when necessary for the trial of criminal cases. 

VII. 

Art. 118. There shall be a sheriff and coroner elected by the qualified 
voters of each parish in the State, e.xcept the parish of Orleans, who shall be 
elected at the general elections, and hold office for four years. 

The coroner shall act for and in place of the sheriff whenever the sheriff 



296 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

shall be a party interested, and, whenever there shall be a vacancy in the office 
of sheriff, until such vacancy shall be filled ; but he shall not during such 
vacancy discharge the duties of tax collector. 

The sheriff, except in the parish of Orleans, shall be cx-ojfficio collector of 
State and parish taxes. 

He shall give separate bonds for the faithful performance of his duty in each 
capacity. Until otherwise provided, the bonds shall be given according to 
existing laws. 

The General Assembly, after the adoption of this Constitution, shall pass a 
general law regulating the amount, form, condition, and mode of approval of 
such bonds, so as to fully secure the State and parish, and all parties in in- 
terest. 

Sheriffs elected at the first election under this Constitution shall comply 
with the provisions of such law within thirty days after its pronr.ulgation, in 
default of which the office shall be declared vacant, and the Governor shrill 
appoint for the remainder of the term. 

Art. 119. Sheriffs shall receive compensation from the parish for their 
services in criminal matters (the keeping of prisoners, conveying convicts to the 
Penitenriary, insane persons to the Insane Asj-lum, and service of process from 
another parish, and service of process or the performance of any duty beyond 
the limits of his own parish excepted), not to exceed five hundred dollars per 
annum for each Representative the parish may have in the House of Represent- 
atives. 

The compensation of sheriffs as tax collectors shall not exceed live per 
cent, on the amount collected and paid over; provided, that he shall not be dis- 
charged as tax collector until he makes proof that he has exhausted the legal 
remedies to collect the taxes. 

Art. 120. The coroner in each parish shall be a doctor of medicine, 
regularly licensed to practise, and cx-officio parish physician ; ^roz^/^erf, this 
article shall not apply to any parish in which there is no regularly licensed 
physician who will accept the office. 

VIII. 

Art. 121. There shall be a clerk of the district court in each parish, the 
parish of Orleans excepted, who shall be ex-officio clerk of the court of appeal. 

He shall be elected by the qualified electors of the parish every four years, 
and shall be ex-officio parish recorder of conveyances, mortgages, and other 
acts, and notary public. 

He shall receive no compensation for his services from the State or the 
parish in criminal matters. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 297 

He shall give bond and security for the faithful performance of his duties, 
in such amount as shall be fixed by the General Assembly. 

Art. 122. The General Assembly shall have power to vest in clerks of 
courts authority to grant such orders and to do such acts as may be deemed 
necessary for the furtherance of the administration of justice; and in all cases 
powers thus vested shall be specified and determined. 

Art. 123. Clerks of district courts may appoint, with the approval of the 
district judge, deputies, with such powers as shall be prescribed by law; and 
the General Assembly shaU have power to provide for continuing one or more 
of them in office, in the event of death of clerk, until his successor shall have 
been appointed and duly qualified. 

IX. 

Art. 124. There shall be a district attorney for each judicial district in tlie 
State, who shall be elected by the qualified electors of the judicial district. He 
shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per annum, payable monthly on 
his own warrant, and shall hold his office for four years. He shall be an actual 
resident of the district, and a licensed attorney at law in this State. 

He shall also receive fees; but no fees shall be allowed in criminal cases, 
except on conviction. 

Any vacancy in the ofiice of district attorney shall be filled by appointment 
by the Governor for the unexpired term. There shall be no parish attorney or 
district attornej^ fro tempore. (This article shall not apply to the parish of 
Orleans. ) 

X. 

Art. 125. In each parish, the parish of Orleans excepted, there shall be as 
many justices of the peace as may be provided by law. 

The present number of justices of the peace shall remain as now fixed until 
otherwise provided. They shall be elected for the term of four years by the 
qualified voters within the territorial limits of their jurisdiction. 

They shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil matters when the 
amount in dispute shall not exceed fift}- dollars, exclusive of interest, and 
original jurisdiction concurrent with the district court, when the amount in dis- 
pute shall exceed fifty dollars, exclusive of interest, and shall not exceed one 
hundred dollars, exclusive of interest. 

They shall have no jurisdiction in succession or probate matters, or when a 
succession is a defendant. They shall receive such fees or salary as may be 
fixed by law. 

Art. 126. They shall have criminal jurisdiction as commiltmg magistrates, 
and shall have power to bail or discharge in cases not capital or necessarily 
punishable at hard labor. 



298 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA . 

XI. 

Art. 127. There sliall be a constable for the court of each justice of the peace 
in the several parishes of the State, the parish of Orleans excepted, who shall 
be elected for the term of four years by the qualified voters within the territorial 
limits of the jurisdiction of the several justices of the peace. 

The compensation, salaries, or fees of constables and the amount of tlieir 
bonds shall be fi.xed by the General Assembly. 

XII. 

Art. 128. There shall be in the parish of Orleans a court of appeals for 
said parish, with exclusive appellate jurisdiction in all matters, civil or probate, 
arising in said parish, when the amount in dispute or fund to be distributed ex- 
ceeds two hundred dollars, interest excluded, and is less than one thousand 
dollars, exclusive of interest. Said court shall be presided over by two judges, 
who shall be elected by the General Assembly in joint session ; they shall be 
residents and voters of the city of New Orleans, possessing all the qualifications 
necessary for judges of circuit courts of appeals throughout the State. They 
shall each receive an annual salary of four thousand' dollars, pa3'able monthly 
upon their respective warrants. 

Said appeals shall be upon questions of law alone in all cases involving less 
than five hundred dollars, exclusive of interest, and upon the law and the facts 
in other cases. 

It shall sit in the city of New Orleans from the first Monday of November 
to the last Monday of June of each year. 

It shall have authority to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, 
and habeas corpus in aid of its appellate jurisdiction. 

Art. 129. The provisions of this Constitution relating to the term of office, 
qunlifications and salary of the judges of the circuit courts of appeal throughout 
the State,' and the manner of proceeding and determining causes as applicable 
to such circuit courts of appeals, shall apply to this court and its judges in so far 
as such provisions are not in conflict with the provisions specially relating to said 
court and its judges. 

Said court of appeals shall have jurisdiction over all causes now pending on 
appeal from the parish of Orleans before the Supreme Court of the State, where 
the amount in dispute or fund to be distributed is less than one thousand dollars, 
exclusi\'e of interest, and the Supreme Court shall at once transfer said causes 
to the court of appeals. 

Art. 130. For the parish of Orleans there shall be two district courts, and 
no more. One of said courts shall be known as the Civil District Court for the 
parish of Orleans, and the other as the Criminal District Court for the parish of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 299 

Orleans. The former shall consist of not less than five judges, and the latter 
not less than two judges, having the qualifications prescribed for district judges 
throughout the State. The said judges shall be appointed by the Governor, by 
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for the term of eight years. The 
first appointments shall be made as follows: Three judges of the Civil District 
Court for four years and two for eight years; one judge of the Criminal District 
Court for four years, and one for eight years, the terms to be designated in their 
commissions. 

The said judges shall receive each four thousand dollars per annum. Said 
Civil District Court shall have exclusive and general probate and exclusive civil 
jurisdiction in all causes where the amount in dispute or to be distributed exceeds 
one hundred dollars, exclusive of interest. All causes filed in said court shall 
be equally alotted and assigned among said judges in accordance with rules of 
court to be adopted for that purpose. In case of recusation of any judge in any 
cause, such cause shall be reassigned to some other judge. In case of vacancy, 
there shall be a reassignment in accordance with rules of court. Previous to re- 
assignment, or in case of absence from the parish, sickness, or other disability 
of tlie judge to whom an}' cause may have been assigned, any judge of said 
court may issue or grant conservatory writs or orders. In other respects each 
judge shall have exclusiv^e control over every cause assigned to him from its in- 
ception to its final determination in said court. The Criminal District Court 
shall have general criminal jurisdiction only. All prosecutions instituted in said 
court shall be equally apportioned between said judges by lot. Each judge or 
his successor shall have e.xclusive control over evtny cause falling to him from 
its inception to final determination in said court. In case of vacanc}' or recusa- 
tion, causes assigned shall be reassigned under order of court. 

Art. 131. The General Assembly may increase the number of judges of 
the Civil District Court, not, however, to exceed nine judges, and the number 
of the criminal judges not to exceed three. 

Art. 132. The Court of Appeals and Civil and Criminal District Courts 
for the parish of Orleans shall respectively regulate the order of preference 
and tiial of causes pending, and adopt other rules to govern the proceedings 
therein, not in conflict with the provisions of law. 

Art. 133. The Civil District Court for the parish of Orleans shall select a 
solvent incorporated bank of the city of New Orleans as a judicial depository. 
Therein shall be deposited all moneys, notes, bonds and securities (except such 
notes or documents as may be filed with suits or in evidence, which shall be 
kept by the clerk of court), so soon as the same shall come into the hands of 
any sheriff or clerk of court; such deposits shall be removable, in whole or in 
part, only upon order of court. The officer making such deposits shall make 
immediate and written return to the court of the date and particulars thereof, to 



300 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

be filed in the cause in which the matter is pending, under penaUies to be pre- 
scribed by law. 

Art. 134. There shall be a district attorney for the parish of Orleans, who 
shall possess the same qualifications and be elected in the same manner and for 
the same period of time as the district attorneys for other parishes, as provided 
by tliis Constitution. 

He shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per annum, and such fees 
as may be allowed by law; but no fee shall be allowed in criminal cases, except 
on conviction. 

He may appoint an assistant, at a salary not to exceed fifteen hundred dol- 
lars per annum. 

Art. 135. There shall be in the city of New Orleans three city courts, 
one of which shall be located in that portion of the city on the right bank of the 
Mississippi River, presided over by judges having all the qualifications required 
for a district judge, and shall be elected b}' the qualified voters of the parish for 
the term of four years. They shall have exclusive and final jurisdiction over 
all sums not exceeding one hundred dollars, exclusive of interest. The Gen- 
eral Assembly shall regulate the salaries, territorial division of jurisdiction, the 
manner of executing their process, the fee bills, and proceedings which shall 
govern them. They shall have authority to execute commissions, to take testi- 
monj', and receive therefor such fees as may be allowed by law. 

The General Assembly may increase the number of city courts for said 
parish, not to exceed eight in all. Until otherwise provided by law, each of the 
said courts shall have one clerk, to be elected for the term of four years by the 
qualified voters of the parish, who shall receive a salary of twelve hundred dol- 
lars per annum, and no more, and whose qualifications, bonds, and duties shall 
be regulated by law. 

Art. 136. The General Assembly may provide for police or magistrate's 
courts; but such courts shall not be vested with jurisdiction beyond the enforce- 
ment of municipal ordinances or as committing magistrates. 

Art. 137. There shall be one clerk for the Civil District Court, and one 
for the Criminal District Court, of the parish of Orleans. The former shall be 
ex-ojicio clerk of the Court of Appeals of said parish. Said clerks shall be 
removable in the manner provided for the removal of the sheriffs of said parish. 
The clerk of said Civil District Court shall receive an annual salary of three 
thousand six hundred dollars, and no more; and the clerk of the Criminal Court 
an annual salary' of three thousand dollars, and no more, both paN-able quarterl}' 
on their warrants. They shall be elected by the qualified voters of the parish 
for the term of four years. 

The amount and character of the bonds and qualification of the sureties to 
be furnished by said clerks shall be prescribed by law. 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 301 

Art. 138. The Court of Appeals and each judge of the Civil and Criminal 
District Courts of the parish of Orleans shall appoint a minute clerk, at an 
annual salary of not more than eighteen hundred dollars, whose duties shall 
be regulated bv law. Each clerk of court shall appoint, by and with the consent 
of the district court of which he is clerk, such deputies as may be necessary to 
perform efficiently the duties of said office, at salaries to be fixed by law. He 
shall be responsible for the said deputies, and may require from each such 
security as he may deem sufficient to secure himself; and said deputies shall be 
removable at his pleasure. 

Art. 139. There shall be a civil and criminal sheriff for the parish of 
Orleans. The civil sheriff shall be the executive officer of all the civil courts, 
except city courts, and the criminal sheriff shall be the executive officer of the 
Criminal District Court. 

They shall attend the sittings, execute the writs and mandates of their 
respective courts. They shall be elected by the voters of the parish of Orleans 
every four years. They shall be citizens of the State, residents and voters of 
the city of New Orleans, at least twenty-five years of age, and shall be removable, 
each by the district court of which he is the executive officer, upon proof, after 
trial without jury, of gross or continued neglect, incompetency, or unlawful 
conduct, operating injury to the court or any individual. The two district courts 
for the parish of Orleans shall immediatelly upon organization under this Con- 
stitution, in joint session, adopt rules governing the lodging of complaints against 
and trials of such officers; and such rules once adopted shall not be changed, 
except by the unanimous consent of all the judges composing the said courts. 

Art. 140. The civil sheriff of the parish of Orleans shall receive such fees 
as the General Assembly may fix. He shall render monthly accounts, giving 
amounts and dates, number and title of causes wherein received or paid out, of 
all sums collected and disbursed by him, which shall be filed in the Civil 
District Court of said parish, and form a part of its public records. 

He shall be responsible to the State for all profits of said office over ten 
thousand dollars per annum, and shall settle with the State at least once a year 
in such manner as the General Assembly may provide. 

The criminal sheriff shall receive an annual salary of thirty-six hundred 
dollars, and no more. He shall receive no other compensation. He shall 
charge and collect for the State from parties convicted such fees and charges 
as may be fixed by law, and shall render monthly accounts of the same. 

Art. 141. Said slieriffs shall appoint, each with the consent and approval 
of the district court which he serves, such a number of deputies as the said 
court may find necessary for the proper expedition of the public business, at 
such salaries as may be fixed by law. Each sheriff shall be responsible for his 
deputies, may remove them at pleasure, and fill vacancies with the approval of the 
20 



302 SOUTHIVEST LOUISIAX. I ; 

court, and ma}' exact from all deputies security in such matiner and amount as 
such sheriff may deem necessarx'. 

Art. 142. The civil sheriff for said parish shall execute a bond, with sure- 
ties, residents of said parish, conditioned for the lawful and faithful perform- 
ance of the duties of his office, in the sum of $50,000. The sureties shall be 
examined in open court by the judges of the Civil District Court for the parish 
of Orleans, and the questions and ansu'ers shall be reduced to writing and form 
a portion of the records of said court. 

A similar bond shall be executed by the criminal sheriff of said parish in 
the sum of $10,000, vvith sureties to be examined and approved as to solvency 
by the Criminal District Court of said parish, as herein directed for the Civil 
District Court of said parish in the case of the civil sheriff. 

Art. 143. There shall be one constable for each city^ court of the parish 
of Orleans, who shall be the executive officer of such court. He shall be elected 
by the qualified voters of the parish of Orleans for the term of four years. The 
General Assembly shall define his qualifications and fix his compensation and 
duties, and shall assimilate the same so far as practicable to the provisions of 
this Constitution relating to the civil sheriff of said parish. The judges of the 
city courts shall sit en banc to examine such bonds, try and remove constables, 
and adopt rules regulating such trial and removal. They shall, in such pro- 
ceedings, be governed so far as practicable by the provisions of this Constitution 
regulating the proceedings of the district courts of the parish of Orleans, in the 
case of the sheriffs of said parish. 

Art. 144. There shall be a register of conveyances and a recorder of 
mortgages for the parish of Orleans, who shall be elected by the qualified 
voters of said parish every four years. The register of conveyances shall 
receive an annual salary of twenty-five hundred dollars, and no more, and 
said recorder of mortgages an annual salary of four thousand dollars, and 
no more. The General Assembly shall regulate the qualifications and duties 
of said officers and the number of employes they shall appoint, and fix the 
salaries of such employes, not to exceed eighteen hundred dollars for each. 

Art. 145. The General Assembly, at its first session after the adoption of 
this Constitution, shall enact a fee-bill for the clerks of the various courts, 
including the city courts, sitting in New Orleans, and for the civil and crimi- 
nal sheriffs, constables, register of conveyances, and recorder of mortgages 
of said parish. In the same act provision shall be made for a system of 
stamps or stamped paper for the collection by the State, and not by said 
officers, of such fees and charges, so far as clerks of courts, register of 
conve3'ances, and recorder of mortgages are concerned. 

Art. 146. All fees and charges fixed by law for the various courts of the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 303 

parish of Orleans, and for the register of convej'ances and recorder of mort- 
gages of said parish, shall enure to the State, and all sums realized there- 
from shall be set aside and held as a special fund, out of which shall be 
paid by preference the judicial expenses of the parish of Orleans; -provided, 
that the State shall never make any payment to any sheriff, clerk, register 
of conveyances, or recorder of mortgages of the parish of Orleans, or anv 
of their deputies, for salary or other expenses of their respective offices, 
except from the special fund provided for by this article; and any appro- 
priation made contrar}- to this provision shall be null and void. 

Art. 147. There shall be one coroner for the parish of Orleans, who shall 
be elected every four years by the qualified electors of said parish, and whose 
duties shall be regulated by law. He shall be ex-officio city physician of the city 
of New Orleans, and receive an annual salary of $5000, and no more. He 
shall be a practising physician of said city, and a graduate of the medical de- 
partment of some university of respectable standing. He may appoint an 
assistant having the same qualifications as himself, at an annual salary not ex- 
ceeding $3000. The salaries of both coroner and assistant to be paid by the 
parish of Orleans. 

The maintenance and support of prisoners confined in the parish of Orleans, 
upon charges or conviction for criminal offences, shall be under the gontrol of 
the city of New Orleans. , 

Art. 148. No person shall hold any office, State, parochial, or municipal, 
or shall be permitted to vote at any election, or act as a juror, who, in due course 
of law, shall have been convicted of treason, perjury, forgery, bribery, or other 
crime punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, or who shall be under 
interdiction. 

Art. 149. Members of the General Assembly and all officers, before 
they enter upon the duties of their offices, shall take the following oath or 
affirmation: 

"I (A B) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitu- 
tion and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of this State; 
and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform the duties in- 
cumbent on me as according to the best of my ability and understanding. 

So help me God." 

Art. 150. The seat of government shall be and remain at the cit}' of Baton 
Rouge. 

The General Assembly, at its first session after the adoption of this Consti- 
tution, shall make the necessary appropriations for the repair of the State House, 
and for the transfer of the archives of the State to Baton Rouge; and the city 
council of Baton Rouge is hereby authorized to issue certificates of indebtedness, 



304 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. 

in such manner and form as to cover the subscription of $35,000 tendered by 
the citizens and the city council of said city to aid in repairing the Capitol in 
said city; provided, the city of Baton Rouge shall pay into the State treasury 
said amount of $35,000 before the contract for the repair of the State House be 
finally closed. 

Art. 151. Treason :\gainst the State sliall consist only in levjing war 
against it, or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person 
shall be convicted of treason, except on tht^ testimony of two witnesses to the 
same overt act, or on his confession in open court. 

Art. 152. All civil officers shall be removable by an address of two-thirds 
of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly, except those 
whose removal is otherwise provided for bj' this Constitution. 

Art. 153. No member of Congress or person holding or exercising any 
office of trust or profit under the United States or either of them, or under any 
foreign power, shall be eligible as a member of the General Assembly, or hold 
or exercise any office of trust or profit under the State. 

Art. 154. The laws, public records, and judicial and legislative written 
proceedings of the State shall be promulgated, preserved, and conducted in the 
English language; but the General Assembly may provide for the publication of 
the laws in the French language, and prescribe that judicial advertisements in 
certain designated cities and parishes shall also be made in that language. 

Art. 155. No ex post facto law, or anj' law impairing the obligations of 
contracts, shall be passed, or vested rights be divested, unless for purposes of 
public utility and for adequate compensation previously made. 

Art. 156. Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public pur- 
poses without just and adequate compensation being first paid. 

Art. 157. No power of suspending the laws of this State shall be exer- 
cised, unless by the General Assembly or its authority. 

Art. 158. The General Assembly shall provide by law for change of venue 
in civil and criminal cases. 

Art. 159. No person shall hold or exercise, at the same time, more than 
one office of trust or profit, except that of justice of the peace or notary public. 

Art. 160. Tlie General Assembly may determine the mode of filling vacan- 
cies in all offices for which provision is not made in this Constitution. 

Art. 161. All officers shall continue to discharge the duties of their offices 
until their successors shall have been inducted into office, except in cases of im- 
'peachment or suspension. 

Art. 162. The militaiy shall be in subordination to the civil power, and no 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 305 

soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent 
of the owner. 

Art. 163. The General Assembly shall make it obligatory upon each parish 
to support all infirm, sick, and disabled paupers residing within its limits : -pro- 
vided, that in ever}' municipal corporation in a parish where the powers of the 
police jury do not extend, the said corporation shall support its own infirm, sick, 
and disabled paupers. 

Art. 164. No soldier, sailor, or marine in the military or naval service of 
the United States shall hereafter acquire a domicile in this State by reason of 
being stationed or doing duty in the same. 

Art. 165. It shall be the duty of the General Assembl}' to pass such laws 
as may be proper and necessary to decide differences by arbitration. 

Art. 166. The power of courts to punish for contempt shall be limited 
by law. 

Art. 167. The General Assembly shall have authority to grant lottery 
charters or privileges ; provided, each charter or privilege shall pay not less than 
forty thousand dollars per annum in money into the treasury of the State ; and 
provided, further, that all charters shall cease and e.xpire on the first day of 
January, 1895, from which time all lotteries are prohibited in the State. 

The forty thousand dollars per annum now provided by law to be paid by 
the Louisiana State Lotter}' Compan}-, according to the provisions of its charter, 
granted in the year 1868, shall belong to the Charity Hospital of New Orleans, 
and the charter of said company is recognized as a contract binding on the 
State for the period therein specified, except its monopoly clause, which is 
hereby abrogated, and all laws contrary to the provisions of this article are 
liereby declared null and void ; -provided, said company shall file a written re- 
nunciation of all its monopolv features in the office of the Secretary of State 
within sixt}' days after the ratification of this Constitution. 

Of the additional sums raised by licenses on lotteries, the hospital at 
Shreveport shall received ten thousand dollars annually, and the remaining sum 
shall be divided each year among the several parishes in the State for the benefit 
of their schools. 

Art. 168. In all proceedings or indictments for libel, the tru h thereof 
may be given in evidence. The jur}' in all criminal cases shall be judges of the 
law and of the facts on the question of guilt or innocence, having been charged 
as to the law applicable to the case by the presiding judge. 

Art. 169. No officer whose salary is fixed by the Constitution shall be 
allowed any fees or perquisites of office, except where otherwise provided for 
by this Constitution. 

Art. 170. The regulation of the sale of alcoholic or spirituous liquors is 



306 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA . 

declared a police regulation, and the General Assembly may enact laws regu- 
lating their sale and use. 

Art. 171. No person who, at any time, ma}' have been a collector of taxes, 
whether State, parish, or municipal, or who may have been otherwise intrusted 
with public money, or any portion thereof, shall be eligible to the General 
Assembly or to any office of honor, profit, or trust under the State Government, 
or any parish or municipality thereof, until he shall have obtained a discharge 
for the amount of such collections and for all public moneys with which he may 
have been intrusted. 

Art. 172. Gambling is declared to be a vice, and the General Assembly 
shall enact laws for its suppression. 

Art. 173. Any person who shall directly or indirectly offer or give any 
sum or sums of money, I ribe, present, reward, promise, or any other thing, to 
any officer. State, parochial, or municipal, or to any member or officer of the 
General Assembly, with the intent to induce or influence such officer or mem- 
ber of the General Assembly to appoint any person to office, to vote, or exercise 
any power in him vested, or to perform any duty of him required, with partial- 
ity or favor, the person giving or offering to give, and the officer or member of 
the General Assembly so receiving, any money, bribe, present, reward, prom- 
ise, contract, obligation, or security, with the intent or for the purpose or con- 
sideration aforesaid, shall be guilty of bribery, and on being found guilty 
thereof by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by either house of the General 
Assembly of which he may be a member or officer, shall be forever disqualified 
from holding any office, State, parochial, or municipal, and shall be forever 
ineligible to a seat in the General Assembly; provided, that this shall not be so 
construed as to prevent the General Assembly from enacting additional penalties 

Art. 174. Any person may be compelled to testify in any lawful proceed 
ing against any one who may be charged with having committed the offence of 
bribery, and shall not be permitted to withhold his testimony upon the ground 
that it may criminate him or subject him to public infamy; but such testimony 
shall not afterward be used against him in any judicial proceedings, except for 
perjury in giving such testimony. 

Art. 175. The General Assembly shall, at its first session, pass laws to 
protect laborers on buildings, streets, roads, railroads, canals, and other similar 
works, against the failure of contractors and sub-contractors to pay their cur- 
rent wages when due, and to make the corporation, company, or individual for 
whose benefit the work is done responsible for their ultimate payment. 

Art. 176. No mortgage or privilege on immovable property shall affect 
third persons, unless recorded or registered in the parish where the property is 
situated, in the manner and within the time as is now or may be prescribed by 1 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 307 

law, except privileges for expenses of last illness and privileges for taxes, State 
parish, or municipal; -provided, such privileges shall lapse in three years. 

Art. 177. Privileges on movable property shall exist without registration 
for the same, except in such cases as the General Assembly may prescribe by 
law after the adoption of this Constitution. 

Art. 178. The General Assembly shall provide for the interest of State 
medicine in all its departments, for the protection of the people from unquali- 
fied practitioners of medicine; for protecting confidential communications made 
to medical men by their patients while under professional treatment, and for the 
purpose of such treatment; for the establishment and maintenance of a State 
Board of Health. 

Art. 179. The General Assembly shall create a Bureau of Agriculture, 
define its objects, designate its offices, and fix their salaries, at such time as the 
financial condition of the State may warrant them, in their judgment, in making 
such expenditures ; provided, that such expenditures never exceed ten thousand 
dollars per annum. , 

* * 

Art. 180. The New Basin Canal and Shell Road and their appurtenances 
shall not be leased nor alienated. 

The General Assembly, at its first session after the ratification of this Con- 
stitution, shall provide by law for a superintendent, to be appointed by the 
Governor, upon the recommendation of the captains and owners of vessels 
plying in, and of merchants doing business on, said canal, to manage the same; 
and shall enact laws for the regulation, maintenance, and management of said 
canal and shell road ; provided, dues shall not exceed ten cents per ton on the 
measurement tonnage of all vessels entering therein. The depth of water in the 
canal basin and on the bar at the mouth, shall be kept at the depth of at least 
eight feet; provided, that all expenses of improving and maintaining said canal, 
shell road, and appurtenances, including the wages and salaries of employes, 
shall be paid out of the revenues thereof, and not otherwise. 

» * 

Art. 181. The General Assembly shall have authority to provide by law 
how the militia of this State shall be organized, officered, trained, armed, and 
equipped, and of whom it shall consist. 

Art.' 182. The officers and men of the militia and volunteer forces shall 
receive no pay, rations, or emoluments when not in active service b}' authority 
of the State. 

Art. 183. The General Assembly may exempt from military service those 
who belong to religious societies whose tenets forbid them to bear arms ; 
provided, a money equivalent for these services shall be exacted. The Gov- 



308 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

ernor shall have power to call the militia into active service for the preservation 
of law and order, and when the public service may require it; provided, that 
the police force of any city, town, or parish shall not be organized or used as a 
part of the State militia. 

Art. 184. In all elections by the people the electors shall vote by ballot; 
and in all elections by persons in a representative capacity the vote shall be 
vi'z'a voce. 

An. 185. Every male citizen of the United States, and every male person 
of foreign birth who Jias been naturalized, or who may have legally declared his 
intention to become a citizen of the United States before he offers to vote, who 
is twenty-one years old or upward, possessing the following qualifications, shall 
be an elector, and shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people, except 
as hereinafter provided: 

1. He shall be an actual resident of the State at least one year next pre- 
ceding the election at which he offers to vote. 

2. He shall be an actual resident of the parisli in which he offers to vote 
at least six months next preceding the election. 

3. He shall be an actual resident of the ward or precinct in which he offers 
to vote at least thirty days next preceding the election. 

Art. 186. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the proper 
enforcement of the provisions of the foregoing article ; provided, that in the 
parish of Orleans there shall be a supervisor of registration, who shall be 
appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
whose term of office shall be for the period of four years, and whose salary, 
qualifications and duties shall be prescribed by law. And the General Assembly 
may provide for the registration of voters in the other parishes. 

Art. 187. The following persons shall not be permitted to register, vote or 
hold an)' office or appointment of honor, profit or trust in this State, to-wit: 

Those who shall have been convicted of treason, embezzlement of public 
funds, malfeasance in office., larceny, briberj% illegal voting, or other crime punish- 
able by hard labor or imprisonment in the penitentiary, idiots and insane persons. 

Art. 188. No qualification of any kind for suffrage or office, nor any 
restraint upon the same on account of race, color or previous condition; shall be 
made by law. 

Art. 189. Electors shall, in all cases except for treason, felon}', or breach of 
the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance on elections and in 
going to and returning from the same. 

Art. 190. The General Assembly shall by law forbid the giving or selling 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 309 

of intoxicating drinks, on the day of election, within one mile of precincts, at any 
election held within this State. 

Art. 191. Until otherwise provided by law, the general State election shall 
be held once every four years, on the Tuesday next following the third Monday 
in April. 

Presidential electors and members of Congress shall be chosen or elected ia 
the manner and at the time prescribed by law. 

Art. 192. Parochial and the municipal elections in the cities of New 
Orleans and Shreveport shall be held on the same day as the general State 
election, and not oftener than once in four years. 

Art. 193. For the purpose of voting, no person shall be deemed to have 
gained a residence by reason of his presence, or lost it by reason of his absence, 
while employed in the service, either civil or militarj^ of this State or of the 
United States, nor while engaged in the navigation of the waters of the State or 
the United States, or of the high seas, nor while a student of any institution of 
learning. 

Art. 194. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the trial and 
determination of contested elections of all public officers, whether State, judicial, 
parochial or municipal. 

Art. 195. No person shall be eligible to any office, State, judicial, parochial, 
municipal or ward, who is not a citizen of this State and a duly qualified elector 
of the State, judicial district, parish, municipality or ward wherein the functions 
of said office are to be exercised. And whenever any officer, State, judicial, 
parochial, municipal or ward, may change his residence from this State or from 
the district, parish, municipality or ward in which he holds such office, the same 
shall thereby be vacated, any declaration of retention of domicile to the contrary 

notwithstanding. , 

* » 

Art. 196. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Audi- 
tor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Education, and the 
judges of all the courts of record in this State, shall be liable to impeachment 
for high crimes and misdemeanors, for non-feasance or malfeasance in office, 
for incompetency, for corruption, favoritism, extortion, or oppression in office, 
or for gross misconduct or habitual drunkenness. 

Art. 197. The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of 
impeachment. All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate; when sitting for 
that purpose the Senators shall be upon oath or affirmation, and no person shall 
be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators present. 
When the Governor of the State is on trial, the Chief Justice or the Senior Asso- 
ciate Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. 



310 SOUTHWEST LOLISIANA : 

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall extend only to removal from office, 
and disqualification from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the 
State; but the party, whether convicted or acquitted, shall, nevertheless, be 
liable to prosecution, trial, and punishment, according to law. 

Art. 198. All officers against whom articles of impeachment may be pre- 
ferred shall be suspended from the exercise of the functions of their office dur- 
ing the pendencj' of such impeachment, and, except in case of the impeachment 
of the Governor, the appointing power shall make a provisional appointment to 
replace any suspended officer until the decision of the impeachment. 

Art. 199. For any reasonable cause the Governor shall remove any officer 
on the address of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the Gen- 
eral Assembly. In every such case, the cause or causes for which such removal 
may be required shall be stated at length in the address, and inserted in the 
journal of each house. 

Art. 200. For any of the causes specified in Article 196, judges of the 
courts of appeal, of the district courts throughout the State, and of the citj- courts 
of the parish of Orleans may be removed from office by judgment of the Supreme 
Court of this State in a suit instituted by the Attorney General or a district attor- 
ney in the name of the State, on his relation. The Supreme Court is hereby 
vested with original jurisdiction to try such causes; and it is hereby made the 
duty of the Attorne}' General or of any district attorney to institute such suit on 
the written request and information of fifty citizens and tax payers residing 
within the territorial limits of the district or circuit over which the judge against 
whom the suit is brought exercises the functions of his office. Such suits shall 
be tried, after citation and ten days' delay for answering, in preference to all 
other suits, and wherever the court may be sitting; but tlie pendency of such 
suit shall not operate a suspension from office. In all cases where the officer 
sued, as above directed, shall be acquitted, judgment shall be rendered jointly 
and /;/ solido against the citizens signing the request for all costs of the suit. 

Art. 201. For any of the causes enumerated in Article 196, district attor- 
neys, clerks of court, sheriffs, coroners, recorders, justices of the peace, and all 
other parish, municipal, and ward officers, shall be removed by judgment of the 
district court of the domicile of such officer (in the parish of Orleans the Civil 
District Court) ; and it shall be the duty of the district attorney, except when 
the suit is to be brought against himself, to institute suit in the manner directed 
in Article 200, on the written request and information of twent\-five lesident cit- 
izens and tax payers in the case of ward officers. Such suit shall be brought 
against a district attorney by the district attorney of an adjoining district, or by 
counsel appointed by the judge for that purpose. In all such cases the defend- 
ant, the State, and the citizens and tax payers on whose information and at whose 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 311 

request such suit was brought, or anyone of them, shall have the right to ap- 
peal both on the law and the facts from the judgment of the court. In all cases 
where the officer sued, as above directed, shall be acquitted, judgment shall be 
rendered jointly and in solido against the citizens signing the request for all costs 
of the suit. 

In cases against district attorneys, clerks, sheriffs, and recorders, the appeal 
sliall be to the Supreme Court, and incases against all other officers the appeal 
shall be to the court of appeals of the proper circuit. 

Such appeals shall be returnable within ten days to the appellate court, 
wherever it may be sitting, or wherever it may hold its next session, and may 
be transferred by order of the judges of said court to another parish within their 
circuit, and such appeals shall be tried by preference over all others. In case 
of the refusal or neglect of the district attorney or Attorney General to institute 
and prosecute any suit provided for in this and the preceding article, the citizens 
and tax payers making the request, or any one of them, shall have the right by 
mandamus to compel him to perform such duty. 

* « 

Art. 202. The taxing pov^'er may be exercised by the General Assembly 
for State purposes, and by parishes and municipal corporations, under authority 
granted to them by the General Assembly, for parish and municipal purposes. 

Art. 203. Taxation shall be equal and uniform throughout the territorial 
limits of the authority levying the tax, and all property shall be taxed in propor- 
tion to its value, to be ascertained as directed by law; -provided, the assessment 
of all property shall never exceed the actual cash value thereof ; and -provided, 
further, that the tax payers shall have the right of testing the correctness of their 
assessments before the courts of justice. In order to arrive at this equality and 
uniformit}-, the General Assembly shall, at its first session after the adoption of 
this Constitution, provide a system of equality and uniformity in assessments, 
based upon the relative value of property in the different portions of the State, 
The valuation put upon property for the purpose of State taxation shall be taken 
as the proper valuation for purposes of local taxation in every subdivision of the 
State. 

Art. 204. The taxing power shall be exercised only to carry on and main- 
tain the govern-ment of the State and the public institutions thereof, to educate 
the children of the State, and to pay the principal and interest of the public 
debt, to suppress insurrection, repel invasion, or defend the State in time of war, 
to supply the citizens of the State who lost a limb or limbs in the military service 
of the Confederate States with substantial artificial limbs during life, and for 
levee purposes, as hereinafter provided. 

Art. 205. The power to tax corporations and corporate property shall 
never be surrendered by act of the General Assembly. 



312 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA ■ 

Art. 206. The General Assembly may levy a license-tax, and in such case 
shall graduate the amount of such tax to be collected from the persons pursuing 
the several trades, professions, vocations, and callings. All persons, associa- 
tions of persons, and corporations pursuing any trade, profession, business, or 
calling may be rendered liable to such tax, e.xcept clerks, laborers, clergymen, 
school teachers, those engaged in mechanical, agricultural, horticultural, and 
mining pursuits, and manufacturers, other than those of distilled alcoholic or 
malt liquors, tobacco and cigars, and cotton-seed oil. No political corporation 
shall impose a greater license-tax than is imposed by the General Assembly for 
State purposes. 

Art. 207. The following property shall be exempt from taxation, and no 
other, viz: All public property, places of religious worship or burial, all chari- 
table institutions, all buildings and property used exclusively for colleges or 
other school purposes, the real and personal estate of any public library and 
that of any other literary association used by or connected with such library, 
all books and philosophical apparatus, and all paintings and statuary of any 
company or association kept in a public hall ; provided, the property so ex- 
empted be not used or leased for purposes of private or corporate profit or in- 
come. There shall also be exempt from taxation household property to the 
value of five hundred dollars. There shall also be exempt from taxation and 
license for a period of ten years from the adoption of this Constitution the capi- 
tal, machinery, and other property employed in the manufacture of textile 
fabrics, leather, shoes, harness, saddlery, hats, flour, machinery, agricultural 
implements, and furniture, and other articles of w'ood, marble or stone; soap, 
stationery, ink and paper, boat building and chocolate : provided, that not less 
than five hands are employed in any one factory. 

Art. 208. The General Assembly shall levy an annual poll-tax, for the 
maintenance of public schools, upon every male inhabitant in the State over the 
age of twenty-one years, which shall never be less than one dollar, nor exceed 
one dollar and a half per capita, and the General Assembly shall pass laws to 
enforce payment of said tax. 

Art. 209. The State tax on property for all purposes whatever, including 
expenses of government, schools, levees, and interest, shall not exceed in any 
one year six mills on the dollar of its assessed valuation, if the ordinance regard- 
ing the bonded debt of the State is adopted and ratified by the people ; and 
if said ordinance is not adopted and ratified by the people, said State tax for all 
purposes aforesaid shall not exceed in any one year five mills on the dollar of 
the assessed valuation of the property; and no parish or municipal tax for all 
purposes whatsoever sliall exceed ten mills on the dollar of valuation; provided, 
that for the purpose of erecting and constructing public buildings, bridges, and 
works of public improvement in parishes and municipalities, the rates of taxa- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 313 

tion herein limited may be increased when the rate of such increase and the 
purpose for which it is intended shall have been submitted to a vote of the 
property tax payers of such parish or municipality entitled to a vote under the 
election laws of the Slate, and a majority of same voting at such election shall 
have voted therefor. 

Art. 2IO. There shall be no forfeiture of propertj- for the non-payment of 
ta.xes, State, levee district, parochial, or municipal; but at the expiration of the 
year in whicli they are due the collector shall, without suit, and after giving no- 
tice to the delinquent in the manner to be provided by law (which shall not be 
by publication, except in case of unknown owner), advertise for sale the prop- 
erty on which the taxes are due in the manner provided for judicial sales, and 
on the day of sale he shall sell such portion of the property as the debtor shall 
point out, and, in case the debtor shall not point out sufficient property, the col- 
lector shall at once and without further delay sell the least quantit}' of property 
which any bidder will bu}' for the amount of the taxes, interest, and costs. The 
sale shall be without appraisement, and the property sold shall be redeemed at 
any time for the space of one year, by paying the price given, with twenty per 
cent, and costs added. No sale of property for taxes shall be annulled for anj' 
informality in the proceedings until the price paid, with ten per cent, interest, be 
tendered to the purchaser. All deeds of sale made, or that may be made, by 
collectors of taxes shall be received by courts in evidence as prima facie valid 
sales. 

Art. 211. The tax shall be designated by the year in which it is collectible, 
and the tax on movable property shall be collected in the year in which the as- 
sessment is made. 

Art. 212. The Legislature shall pass no law postponing the payment of 
taxes, except in case of overflow, general conflagration, general destruction of 
the crops, or other public calamity. 

Art. 213. A levee system shall be maintained in the State, and a tax not to 
exceed one mill may be levied annually on all property subject tu taxation, and 
shall be applied exclusively to the maintenance and repairs of levees. 

Art. 214. The General Assembly may divide the State into levee districts, 
and provide for the appointment or election of levee commissioners in said dis- 
tricts, who shall, in the method and manner to be provided by law, have super- 
vision of the erection, repairs, and maintenance of the levees in said districts; 
to that effect it may levy a ta.x not to exceed five mills on the taxable property 
situated within the alluvial portions of said districts subject to overflow. 

Art. 215. The provisions of the above two articles shall cease to have 
effect whenever the Federal Government shall assume permanent control and 
provide the ways and means for the maintenance of levees in fhis State. The 



314 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Federal Government is authorized to make such geological, topographical, hy- 
drographical and hydrometrical surveys and investigations within the State as 
may be necessary to carry into effect the act of Congress to provide for the ap- 
pointment of a Mississippi River Commission for the improvement of said river, 
from the head of the Passes near its mouth to the head waters, and to construct 
and protect such public w£)rks and improvements as may be ordered by Con- 
gress under the provisions of said act. 

Art. 216. The General Assembly shall have power, with the concurrence 
of an adjacent State or States, to create levee districts composed of territory 
partly in this State and partly in such adjacent State or States, and the levee 
commissioners for such district or districts shall possess all the powers provided 
b}^ Article 214 of this Constitution. 

Art. 217. Corporations, companies, or associations organized or domiciled 
out of this State, but doing business herein, may be licensed by a mode differ- 
ent from that provided for home corporations or companies; provided, said dif- 
ferent mode of license shall be uniform, upon a graduated svstem, as to ail such 
corporations, companies, or associations that transact the same kind of business. 

Art. 218. All the articles and provisions of this Constitution regulating 
and relating to the collection of State taxes and tax sales shall also apply to and 
regulate the collection of parish, district, and municipal taxes. 

* » 

Art. 219. There shall be exempt from seizure and sale by any process 
whatever, except as herein provided, the " homestead " bona fide owned by the 
debtor and occupied by him, consisting of lands, buildings, and appurtenances, 
whether rural or urban, of every head of a family, or person having a mother 
or father, a person or persons dependent on him or her for support; also, one 
work horse, one wagon or cart, one yoke of oxen, two cows and calves, twenty- 
five head of hogs, or one thousand pounds of bacon or its equivalent in pork, 
whether these exempted objects be attached to a homestead or not: and on a 
farm the necessary quantity of corn and fodder for the current year, and the 
necessary farming implements to the value of two thousand dollars. 

Provided, that in case the homestead exceeds two thousand dollars in valu? 
the beneficiary shall be entitled to that amount in case a sale of the homestead 
under any legal process realizes more than that sum. 

No husband shall have the benefit of a homestead whose wife owns and is 
in the actual enjoyment of property or means to the amount of two thousand 
dollars. 

Such exemptions to be valid shall be set apart and registered as shall be pro- 
vided by law. The benefit of this provision may be claimed by the surviving 
spouse or minor child or children of a deceased beneficiary if in indigent cir- 
cumstances. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 31o 

Art. 220. Laws sliall be passed as early as practicable for the setting apart, 
valuation, and registration of property claimed as a homestead. Rights to home- 
steads or exemptions under laws or contracts, or for debts existing at the time 
of the adoption of this Constitution, shall not be impaired, repealed, or affected 
by any provision of this Constitution, or any laws passed in pursuance thereof. 
No court or ministerial officer of this State shall ever have jurisdiction or au- 
thority to enforce any judgment, execution, or decree against the propert}' set 
apart for a homestead, including such improvements as may be made thereon 
from time to time; provided, the property herein declared to be exempt shall 
not exceed in value two thousand dollars. This exemption shall not apply to the 
following cases, to-\vit: 

1. For the purchase price of said property or any part thereof. 

2. For labor and material furnished for building, repairing, or improving 
homesteads. 

3. For liabilities incurred by any public officer or fiduciary or an\' attor- 
ney at law for money collected or received on deposit. 

4. For lawful claims for taxes or assessments. 

Art. 221. The owner of a homestead shall at any time have the right to 
supplement his exemption by adding to an amount already set apart which is 
less than the whole amount of exemption herein allowed sufficient to make his 
homestead and exemption equal to the whole amount allowed by this Consti- 
tution. 

Art. 222. The homestead shall not be susceptible of mortgage, except for 
the purchase price, labor and material furnished for the building, repairing or 
improving homestead ; nor shall any renunciation or waiver of homestead rights 
or exemptions be valid. The right to sell any property which shall be recorded 
as a homestead shall be preserved, but no sale shall destroy or impair any rights 
of creditors therein. 

Art. 223. Equitable laws shall be passed for the protection of creditors 
against the fraudulent claims of debtors, for the punishment of fraud, and for 
reaching property and funds of the debtor concealed from the creditor. 

» 

Art. 224. There shall be free pub'ic schools established by the General 
Assembly throughout the State for the education of all the children of the State 
between the ages of six and eighteen years; and the General Assembly shall 
provide for their establishment, maintenance and support, by taxation or other- 
wise. And all moneys so raised, except the poll-tax, shall be distributed to each 
parish in proportion to the number of children between the ages of six and 
eighteen years. 

Art. 225. There shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State, a 



316 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

Superintendent of Public Education, who shall hold his office for the term of 
four years, and until his successor is qualified. His duties shall be prescribed 
by law, and he shall receive an annual salary of two thousand dollars. The ag- 
gregate annual expenses of his office, including his salary, shall not exceed the 
sum of three thousand dollars. The General Assembly shall provide for the 
appointment of parish boards of public education for the different parishes. 

The parish boards may appoint a parish superintendent of public schools 
in their respective parishes, who shall be ex-offcio secretary of the parish board, 
and whose salary for his double functions, shall not exceed two hundred dollars 
annually, except that in the parish of Orleans the salary of the parish superin- 
tendent shall be fixed by the General Assembly, to be paid out of the public 
school fund accruing to each parish, respectively. 

Art. 226. The general exercises in the public schools shall be conducted 
in the English language, and the elementary branches taught therein ; provided, 
that these elementary branches may be also taught in the French language in 
those parishes in the State or localities in said parishes where the French lan- 
guage predominates, if no additional expense is incurred thereb}'. 

Art. 227. The funds derived from the collection of the poll-tax shall be 
applied exclusively to the maintenance of the public schools as organized under 
this Constitution, and shall be applied exclusively to the support of the public 
schools in the parish in which the same shall be collected, and shall be accounted 
for and paid by the collecting officers directly to the competent school authori- 
ties of each parish. 

Art. 228. No funds raised for the support of the public schools of the 
State shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian schools. 

Art. 229. The school funds of this State shall consist of: 

1. The proceeds of taxation for school purposes, as provided in this Con- 
stitution. 

2. The interest on the proceeds of all public lands heretofore granted by 
the United States for the use and support of the public schools. 

3. Of lands and otherproperty which mav hereafter be bequeathed, granted 
or donated to the State, or generally for school purposes. 

4. All funds or property, other than unimproved lands, bequeathed or 
granted to the State, not designated for other purposes. 

5. The proceeds of vacant estates falling under the law to the State of 
Louisiana. 

The Legislature may appropriate to the same fund the proceeds, in whole 
or in part, of public lands not designated for any other purpose, and shall pro- 
vide that ever}^ parish may levy a tax for the public schools therein, which shall 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 317 

not exceed the State tax; provided, that with such tax the whole amount of 
parish taxes shall not exceed the limits ot parish taxation fixed bj' this Constitution. 



Art. 230. The University of Louisiana, as at present establislied and 
located at New Orleans, is hereby recognized in its three departments, to-wit: 
the law, the medical, and the academical departments, to be governed and con- 
trolled b\' appropriate faculties. 

The General Assembh' shall, from time to time, make such provision for 
the proper government, maintenance, and support of said State University of 
Louisiana, and all the departments thereof, as the public necessities and well- 
being of the people of the State of Louisiana may require, not to exceed ten 
thousand dollars annually. 

The Louisiana State Uni\ersity and Agiicultural and Mechanical College, 
now established and located in the city of Baton Rouge, is hereby recognized, 
and all revenues derived and to be derived from the sales of land or land scrip,' 
donated by the United States to the State of Louisiana, for the use of a seminay of 
learning and mechanical and agricultural college, shall be appropriated exclusively 
to the maintenance and support of said Universit}' and Agricultural and Mechanical 
College, and the General Assembly shall from time to time make such additional 
appropriations for the maintt nance and support of said Louisiana State Univer- 
sity and Agricultural and Mechanical College as the public necessities and well- 
being of the people of the State of Louisiana may require, not to exceed ten 
thousand dollars annually. 

Art. 231. The General Assembly shall also establish in the city of New 
Orleans a university for the education of persons of color, provide for its proper 
government, and shall make an annual appropriation of not less than five thou- 
sand dollars, nor more than ten thousand dollars, for its maintenance and support. 

Art. 232. Women over twenty-one years of age shall be eligible to any 

office of control or management under the school laws of this State. 

* 
» » " 

Art. 233. The debt due b}' the State to the free school fund is hereby 
declared to be the sum of one million one hundred and thirty thousand eight 
hundred and sixty-seven and 51-100 dollars in principal, and shall be placed on 
the books of the Y\uditor and Treasurer to the credit of the several townships en- 
titled to the same; tiiesaid principal being the proceeds of the sales of lands here- 
tofore granted by the United States for the use and support of free public schools, 
which amount shall be held by the State as a loan, and shall be and remain a 
perpetual fund, on which the State shall pay an annual interest of four per cent, 
from the first day of Januar}-, 18S0, and that said interest shall be paid to the 
21 



318 socrinvEsi' Louisiana: 

severrl townsliips in the State entitled to the same, in accordance with the act of 
Congress, No. 68, approved February 15, 1843; and the bonds of the State 
heretofore issued, belonging to said fund and sold under act of the General 
Assembl}', No. 81 of 1872, are hereby declared null and void, and the General 
Assembl}' shall make no provision for their payment, and maj- cause them to be 
destroyed. 

The debt due by the State to the seminary fund is hereby declared to be 
one hundred and thirt3--si.\- tliousand dollars, being the proceeds of the sales of 
lands heretofore granted by the United States to the State for the use of a semi- 
nary of learning, and said amount shall be placed to the credit of said fund on 
the books of the Auditor and Treasurer of the State as a perpetual loan, and the 
State shall pay an annual interest of four per cent, on said amount from January 
I, 1880, for the use of said seminar}' of learning; and the consolidated bonds of 
the State now held for use of said fund shall be null and void after the first day 
of Januar}', 1880, and the General Assembly shall never make any provision for 
their payment, and they shall be destroj'ed in such manner as the General 
Assembly may direct. 

The debt due by the State to the Agricultural and Mechanical College fund 
is hereby declared to be the sum of one hundred and eighty-two thousand three 
hundred and thirteen and 3-100 dollars, being the proceeds of tlie sales of lands 
and land scrip heretofore granted by the United States to this State for the use 
of a college for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts; said amounts 
shall be placed to the credit of said fund on the books of the Auditor and 
Treasurer of the State as a perpetual loan, and the State shall pay an annual 
interest of five per cent, on said amount from January i, 1880, for the use of 
said Agricultural and Mechanical College; the consolidated bonds of the State 
now held by the State for the use of said fund shall be null and void after the 
first day of January, 1880, and the General Assembly shall never make any 
provision for their paj-ment, and they shall be destroyed in such manner as the 
General Assembly may direct. 

The interest provided for by this article shall be paid out of any tax that 

may be levied and collected for the general purposes of public education. 

* 
* » 

Art. 234. The General Assembly shall not remit the forfeiture of the char- 
ter of any corporation now existing, nor renew, alter, or amend the same, nor 
pass any general or special law for the benefit of such corporation, except upon 
the condition that such corporation shall thereafter hold its charter subject to 
the provisions of this Constitution. 

Art. 235. The exercise of the police power of the State shall never be 
abridged, nor so construed as to permit corporations to conduct their business 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 319 

in such manner as to infringe the equal rights of individuals or the general well 
being ot the State. 

Art. 236. No foreign corporation shall do any business in this State with- 
out having one or more known places of business, and an authorized agent or 
agents in the State upon whom process may be served. 

Art. 237. No corporation shall engage in any business other than that 
expressly authorized in its charter or incidental thereto, nor shall it take or hold 
any real estate for a longer period than ten years, except such as maj' be neces- 
sary and proper for its legitimate business or purposes. 

Art. 238. No corporation shall issue stock or bonds, except for labor done 
or mone}' or property actually received, and all fictitious issues of stock shall 
be void, and any corporation issuing such fictitious stock shall forfeit its charter. 

Art. 239. The stock shall not be increased, except in pursuance of general 
laws, or without consent of persons holding the larger amount in value of the 
stock, first obtained at a meeting of stockholders to be held after thirty days' 
notice given in pursuance of law. 

Art. 240. The term corporation as used in this Constitution, shall be con- 
strued to include all joint stock companies or associations having any power or 
privileges not posse.«sed by individuals or partnerships. 

Art. 241. It shall be a crime, the nature and punishment of which shall 
be prescribed by law, for any president, director, manager, cashier, or other 
officer or owner of any private or public bank or banking institution, to assent 
to the reception of deposits, or the creation of debts, by such banking institu- 
tion, after he shall have had knowledge of the fact that it is insolvent or in fail- 
ing circumstances; any such officer, agent, or manager shall be individually 
responsible for such deposits so received and all such debts so created with his 
assent. 

Art. 242. The General Assembly shall have power to enact general laws 
authorizing the parochial or municipal authorities of the State, under certain 
circumstances, by a vote of the majority of the property tax payers in numbers 
and in value, to levy special taxes in aid of public improvements or railway 
enterprises; provided, that such tax shall not exceed the rate of five mills per 
annum, nor extend for a longer period than ten years. 

Art. 243. Any railroad corporation or association organized for the pur- 
pose shall have the right to construct and operate a railroad between any points 
within this State, and connect at the State line with railroads of other States. 
Every railroad company shall have the right with its road to intersect, connect 
with, or cross any other railroad, and shall receive and transport each the other's 
passengers, tonnage, and cars, loaded or empty, without dela}' or discrimination. 

Art. 244. Railways heretofore constructed, or that may hereafter be con- 



320 SOC'7V/ir£S7' L OilS/AAA .- 

strucled. in Uiis State, are hereby declared ]'»ul)lic highways, and railroad com- 
panies common carriers. 

Art. 245. Ever}' railroad or other corporation, organized or doing busi- 
ness in this State under the laws or autliority tliereof, shall have and maintain a 
public oflice or place in this State for the transaction of its business, where 
transfers of stock shall be made, and where shall be kept books for public in- 
spection, in which shall be recorded the amount of capital stock subscribed, 
the names of owners oi stock paid, and by whom, the transfers of said stock, 
with the date of transfer, the amount of its assets and liabilities, and the names 
and places of residence of its officers. 

Art. 246. If any railroad company, organized under the laws of this State, 
shall consolidate, by sale or otherwise, with any railroad companj' organized 
under the laws of any other State or of the United States, the same shall not 
thereb}' become a foreign corporation, but the courts of this State shall retain 
jurisdiction in all matters which may arise, as if said consolidation had not taken 
place. In no case shall any consolidation take place, except upon public, notice 
of at least sixtv days to all stockholders, in such manner as may be provided by 
law. 

Art. 247. General laws shall be enacted providing for the creation of pri- 
vate corporations, and shall therein provide full}' for the adequate protection of 
the public and of the individual stockholder. 

Art. 248. The police juries of the several parishes and the constituted au- 
thorities of all incorporated municipalities of the State shall alone have the power 
of regulating the slaughlering of cattle and other live stock within their respective 
]\m\ts; provided, no monopoly or exclusive privilege shall exist in this State, nor 
such business be restricted to the land or houses of any individual or corpora- 
tion; fj-ovided, the ordinances designating the places for slaughtering shall ob- 
tain the concurrent approval of the board of health or other sanitary organiza- 
tion. 

* 
» * 

Art. 249. The General Assembly may establish and organize new parishes, 
^which shall be bodies corporate, with such powers as maybe prescribed by law; 
but no new ]:iarish shall contain less than six hundred and twenty-tive square 
miles, nor less than seven thousand inhabitants; nor shall any parish be reduced 
below that area or number of inhabitants. 

Art. 250. All laws changing parish lines or removing parish seats shall, 
before taking effect, be submitted to the electors of the parish or the parishes to 
be effected thereby, at a special election held for that purpose, and be adopted 
by a majority of the votes of each parish cast at -such election. 

Art. 251. Any parish maybe dissolved and merged by the General Assem- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 321 

bly into a continuous parish or parishes, two-thirds of the quahfied electors of the 
parish proposed to be dissolved voting in favor thereof, at any election held for 
that purpose; provided, that each of the parishes into which the dissolved par- 
ish proposes to become incorporated consents thereto by a majority of its qual- 
ified electors voting therefor. 

Art. 252. Whenever a parish shall be enlarged or created from territory 
contiguous thereto, it shall be entitled to a just proportion of the property and 
assets and liable for a just proportion of the existing debts or liabilities of the 
parisli or parishes from which such territory shall be taken. 

» 

Art. 253. The citizens of the city of New Orleans, or any political cor- 
poration which may be created within its limits, shall have the right of appoint- 
ing the several public officers necessary for the administration of the police of 
said city, pursuant to the mode of election which shall be provided by the Gen- 
eral Assembl}'. 

Art. 254. The General Assembly, at its next session after the adoption of 
this Constitution, shall enact such legislation as maybe proper to liquidate the 
indebtedness of the city of New Orleans, and apply its assets to the satisfaction 
thereof. It shall have authority to cancel the charter of said city, and remit its 
inhabitants to another form of government, if necessary. In anv such new form 
of government no salary shall exceed $3,500. 

Art. 255. The General Assembly shall pass necessary' laws to prevent 
sailors or others of the crew of foreign vessels from working on the wharves 
and levees of the city of New Orleans : -provided, there is no treaty between the 
United States and foreign powers to the contrary. 

Art. 256. Propositions f6r the amendment of this Constitution may be 
made by the General Assembly at any session thereof, and if two-thirds of all 
the members elected to each house shall concur therein, after such proposed 
amendments have been read in such respective houses on three separate days, 
such proposed amendment or amendments, together with the yeas and nays 
thereon, shall be entered on the journal, and the Secretary of State shall cause 
the same to be published in two newspapers published in the parish of Orleans, 
and in one paper in each other parish of the State in which a newspaper is pub- 
lished, for three months preceding the next election for Representatives, at 
which time the said amendment or amendments shall be submitted to the electors 
for their approval or rejection; and if a majority voting on said amendment or 
amendments shall approve and ratify the same, then such amendment or amend- 
ments so approved and ratified shall become apart of the Constitution. 

When more than one amendment shall be submitted at the same time, they 



322 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

shall be so submitted as to enable the electors to vote on each amendment sepa- 
rately. The result of said election shall be made known b}- the proclamation of 

the Governor. » 

» » 

Art. 257. The Constitution of this State, adopted in 1868, and all amend- 
ments thereto, is declared to be superseded by this Constitution, and, in order 
to carry the same into effect, it is hereby declared and ordained as follows: 

Art. 258. All rights, actions, prosecutions, claims and contracts, as well of 
individuals as of bodies corporate, and all laws in force at the time of the 
adoption of this Constitution, and not inconsistent therewith, shall continue as if 
said Constitution had not been adopted. But the monopoly features in the char 
ter of an}^ corporation now existing in the State, save such as may be contained 
in the charters of railroad companies, are hereby abolished. 

Art. 259. In order that no inconvenience may result to the public service 
from the taking effect of this Constitution, no office shall be superseded thereby, 
but the laws of the State relative to the duties of the several officers — executive, 
judicial and military — shall remain in full force, though the same be contrary to 
this Constitution, and the several duties shall be performed by the respective 
officers of the State, according to the existing laws, until the organization of the 
government under this Constitution and the entering into office of the new officers 
to be appointed or elected under said government, and no longer. 

Art. 260. Appointments to office by the Executive under this Constitution 
shall be made by the Governor to be elected under its authority. 

Art. 261. All causes in which appeals have been or may be hereafter taken 
or are now pending in the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1868, and 
of which jurisdiction has been vested by this Constitution in the courts of 
appeal, shall, after the adoption of this Constitution, be transferred for trial to 
the court of appeal of the circuit from which the appeal has been 01 may be 
taken. 

All other causes that may be pending in the Supreme Court, under the Con- 
stitution of 1868, shall be transferred to the Supreme Court created by this Con- 
stitution as soon as it shall be organized. 

All causes that ma}- be pending in all other courts, under the Constitution 
of 1868, upon the adoption of tliis Constitution and the organization of the 
courts created by this Constitution, shall be tiansf erred to the courts respec- 
tively having jurisdiction thereof under this Constitution. 

Art. 262. Immediately after the adjournment of this convention, the Gov- 
ernor shall issue his proclamation, directing the several officers of the State, 
authorized by law, to hold elections for members of the General Assembly to 
open and holdapoll in every parish in the State, at the place designated by law, 



i 



HISTORICAL A\D BIOGRAPHICAL. 323 

upon the first Tuesday in the month of December next, 1879, *or the purpose 
of taking the sense of the good people of this State, in regard to the adoption or 
rejection of this Constitution; and it shall be the duty of said oflicers to receive 
the votes of all persons entitled to vote under the Constitution of 1868. 

Each voter shall express his opinion by depositinir in the ballot box a 
ticket, whereon shall be written or printed, "For the Constitution," or "Against 
the Constitution," or some such words as will distinctly convey the intention of 
the voter. 

It shall also be the duty of the Governor in his said proclamation to direct 
the said officers authorized by law to hold elections to open and hold a poll at 
the above stated time and places, for the election of Governor, Lieutenant 
Governor, members of the General Assembly, Secretary of State, Attorney 
General, State Auditor, and Superintendent of Pubhc Education, and of all other 
officers whose election by the people is provided for in this Constitution; and 
the names of the persons voted for shall be written or printed on the same 
ticket and deposited in the same box as the votes "For or against the Constitu- 
tion." 

And the said election for the adoption or rejection of the Constitution and 
for the said officers shall be conducted and the returns thereof made in con- 
formity with existing laws upon the subject of State elections. 

Upon the receipt of the said returns, or on the last Monday in December, 
1879, i* the returns be not sooner received, it shall be the duty of the Governor, 
the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General, in 
the presence of all such persons as may choose to attend, to compile the votes 
given at the said polls for ratification and rejection of this Constitution; and if 
it shall appear from said returns that a majority of all the votes given on the 
question of adoption and rejection of the Constitution is for ratif\'ing this Con- 
stitution, then it shall be the duty of the Governor to make immediate proc- 
lamation of that fact, and thenceforth this Constitution shall be ordained and 
established as the Constitution of the State of Louisiana, and the General 
Assembly elected in 1878 shall thereupon be dissolved. Whether this Constitu- 
tion be adopted or rejected, it shall be the duty of the Governor to cause to be 
published in the official paper of the convention the result of the polls, showing 
the number of voles cast in each parish for and against the said Constitution. 

If ihe Constitution be ratified, it shall be the duty of the Secretary ot State 
to examine and compile the returns, and publish the result of the election of 
officers herein ordained, and in the manner provided by existing laws. 

Art. 263. The General Assembly first elected under this Constitution 
shall convene in the city of New Orleans upon the second Monday in January 
ne.xt, 1S80, after the election, and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor elected 



324 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

shall be dul}' installed in office during the first week of the session, and before 
it shall be competent for the said General Assembl}'' to proceed with the trans- 
action of business beyond their own organization. 

Art. 264. The State Auditor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and 
Superintendent of Public Education, elected at the first election herein provided 
for, shall enter upon the discharge of the duties of their respective offices on the 
second Monday of January, 1880, after complying with the requisites of exist- 
ing laws; and all other officers whose election or appointment is provided for 
by this Constitution shall enter upon the discharge of the duties of their respec- 
tive offices on the first Monday of April, 1880, after complying with the require- 
ments of existing laws; until which period all officers under the Constitution 
of 1868 shall receive the pay and emoluments provided for under said Constitu- 
tion ; -provided, that the pay of the officers elected or appointed utider this Con 
stitution shall not commence until after their induction into office. The State 
Treasurer elected in November, 1878, shall continue in office as if elected at 
the election to be held on the first Tuesday in December, 1879; b^*^ ^^^ salary 
of said officer shall be established by this Constitution from and after the second 
Monday in January, 18S0. 

Art. 265. The time of service of all officers chosen by the people at the 
first election under this Constitution shall terminate as though the election had 
been holden on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April, 1880. 

Art. 226. The judges of the courts of appeal, district judges, city judges, 
district attorney, coroner, clerks of courts, sheriffs, recorder of mortgages, and 
register of conveyances, all of whose election and appointment are provided for 
by this Constitution, in the parish of Orleans, shall only enter on the discharge 
of the duties of their respective offices on the first Monday of August, 1880, and 
the present incumbents shall continue until then in the performance of the duties 
of their respective offices and the enjoyment of the emoluments thereof as now 
prescribed by law. 

Art. 267. The General Assembly is required to make provision lor paying 
J. H. Cosgrove, Printer of the Convention, for the balance due him for work 
done previous to adjournment, and for all work that may be done by him after 
adjournment of the Convention by its direction, and shall make a special appro- 
priation to liquidate the debt which this Convention has contracted, authorizing 
the Fiscal Agent of the State to negotiate a loan of twenty-five thousand dollars; 
and also for the payment of such vouchers as may be issued by the chairman of 
the Committee on Contingent Expenses, under the authorit}' of this Convention, 
in excess of the foregoing appropriation, for the purpose of enabling this Con- 
vention to complete its work ; frovidcd, said vouchers are approved by the 
President of the Convention. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



325 



Art. 268. There shall not be any municipal election in the cities of New 
Orleans and Shreveport in December, 1879; ^^^ General Assembly shall pro- 
vide for a municipal election in the city of New Orleans or such municipal cor- 
porations as may be created within the territorial limits of the parish of Orleans 
during the year 1880. The General Assembly mixy fix the time for a municipal 
election in the city of Shreveport before April, 1884. 



p-ip% ysif^:^^^ 



■j: 



.irfe^ 



'fett^^^ 



NOTE 111. 



THE ACADIANS. 



.( lA S the Acadians were among the original settlers of the country embraced' 

Aph in this work, so everything pertaining to them are of interest to our 

^^ readers. To that end we make some extracts from Bancroft's History 

of the United States, historical of that persecuted people, which, doubtless, will 

be found of interest to the reader. 

The colony of Acadia, or Nova Scotia, as now called, was the oldest 
French colony in North America, dating back sixteen years previous to the- 
landing of the Pilgrims from the deck of the Mayflower on Plymouth Rock. * 
* • The treaty of Utrecht (1755) conceded Acadia to Great Britain. Yet 
the name of Annapolis, the presence of a feeble English garrison, and the emi- 
gration of hardly five or six English families, were nearly all that marked the 
supremacy of England. The old inhabitants remained on the soil which they 
had subdued, hardly conscious that they had changed their sovereign. They 
still loved the language and the ways of their forefathers, and their religion was 
graven upon their souls. They promised submission to England, but such was 
the love with which France had inspired them, they would not fight against its 
standard or renounce its name. Though conquered, they were French neutrals. 
For nearly forty j'ears from the peace of Utrecht they had been forgotten or 
neijlected, and had prospered in their seclusion. No tax gatherers entered their 
folds, no magistrates dwelt in their hamlets. The parish priest made their 
records and regulated their successions. Their little disputes were settled 
among themselves, with scarcely an instance of appeal to English authority at 
Annapolis. The pastures were coveted with their herds and flocks, and dykes, 
raised by extraordinary efforts of social industry, shut out the rivers and the 
tide from alluvial marshes of exuberant fertility. The meadows thus reclaimed 
were covered by richest grasses, or fields of wheat, that yielded thirty and fifty- 
fold at the harvests. Their houses were built in clusters, neatly constructed 
and comfortably furnished, and around them all kinds of domestic fowls 
abounded. With the spinning-wheel and the loom, their women made of flax 
from their own fields, of fleeces from their own flocks, coarse but suflicient 
clothing. * * * 



328 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Tlius were the Acadians happy in their neutrality and the abundance which 
the}' drew from their native land. They formed, as it were, one great family. 
Their morals were of unaffected purit}'. Love was sanctified and calmed by 
the universal custom of early marriage. The neighbors of the community would 
assist the new couple to raise their cottage, while the wilderness offered land. 
Their numbers increased, and the colony, which had begun only as the trading 
station of a company with a monopoly of the fur trade, counted, perhaps, six- 
teen or seventeen thousand inhabitants. When England began rigorously to 
colonize Nova Scotia, the native inhabitants migh tfear the loss of their independ- 
ence. The enthusiasm of their priests was kindled into fervor at the thought 
that heretics, of a land which had disfranchised Catholics, were to surround, and 
perhaps overwhelm, the ancient Acadians. " Better," said the priests, " sur- 
render your meadows to the sea, and your liouses to the flames, than, at the 
peril of your souls, take the oath of allegiance to the British government." And 
they, from their very simplicity and anxious sincerity, were uncertain in their 
resolves ; now gathering courage to flee beyond the isthmus, for other homes in 
New France, and now yearning for their own homes and fields, their herds and 
pastures. 

The haughtiness of the British officers aided the priests in their efforts to 
foment disaffection. The English regarded colonies, even when settled bjr men : 
from their own land, only, as sources of emolument to tlie mother country; col- 
onists as an inferior caste. The Acadians were despised because they were 
helpless. Ignorant of the laws of their conquerors, they were not educated to 
the knowledge, the defence, and the love of English liberties; they knew not the 
way to the throne, and, given up to military masters, had no redress in civil 
tribunals. Their papers and records, the titles to their estates and inheritances, 
were taken away from them. Was their property demanded for the public ser- 
vice? " They were not to be ■bargained with for the pa\'ment." The order ■ 
may still be read on the Council records at Halifax. They must comply, it was 
written, without making any terms, "immediately," or " the next courier would 
bring an order for military execution on the delinquents." And, when they 
delayed in fetching firewood for their oppressors, it was told them from the 
Governor, " If tliey do not do it in proper time, the soldiers shall absolutely take 
their homes for fuel." The unoffending sufferers submitted meekly to the 
tyranny. Under pretence of fearing that they might rise in behalf of France, 
or seek shelter in Canada, or convey provisions to the French garrisons, they 
were directed to surrender their boats and their firearms; and, conscious of inno- 
cence, they gave up their barges and their muskets, leaving themselves without 
the means of flight and defenceless. Further orders were afterward given to 
the English officers, it the Acaidans beliaved amiss, to punish them at discre- 
tion ; if the troops were annoyed, to mflict vengeance on the nearest, whether 
the guilty one or not — " taking an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 329 

The French had yielded their sovereignt}- over no more thantlie peninsula. 
They established themselves on the isthmus in two forts — one, a small stockade 
at tlie mouth of little river Gaspereaux, near Bay Verde ; the other, the more 
considerable fortress of Beau Sejour, built and supplied at great expense, upon 
an eminence on the north side of the Messagouche, on tlie Bay of Fundy. The 
isthmus is here hardly fifteen miles wide, and formed the natural boundary 
between New France and Acadia. The French at Beau Sejour had passed the 
previous winter in unsuspecting tranquillity, ignorant of the preparations of the 
crowns for war. As spring approached suspicions were aroused; but DeVerger, 
the inefficient commander, took no vigorous measures for strengthening his works, 
nor was he fully aroused to his danger till, from the vvalls/of his fort, he himself 
beheld the fleet of the English sailing fearlessly into the bay and anchoring 
before his eyes. The provincial troops, about fifteen hundred in number, 
strengthened b}' a detachment of three hundred regulars and a train of artiller}^ 
were disembarked without difficulty A day was given tp repose and parade: 
on the fourth of June (1755) they forced the passage of \ the Messagouche, the 



;eV; no 



intervening river. No sally was attempted by DeVerger; no earnest defence 
was undertaken. On the twelfth, the fort at Beau Sejour, weakened by fear, 
discord and confusion, was invested, and in four days it surrendered. By the 
terms of the capitulation, the garrison was to be sent to Louisburg; for the 
Acadian fugitives, inasmuch as they had been forced into the service, amnesty 
was stipulated. The place received an English garrison, and, from the brother 
of the King, then the soul of the regency, was named Cumberland. 

The petty fortress near the river Gaspereaux, on Bay Verde, a mere palisade, 
flanked by four block houses, without mound or trenches, and tenanted by no 
more than twenty soldiers, though commanded by the brave De Villerai, could 
do nothing but capitulate on the same terms. Meantime Captain Rous sailed, 
with three frigates and a sloop, to reduce the French fort on the St. John's. 
But before he arrived there, the fort and dwellings of the French had been 
abandoned and burned, and he took possession of a deserted countr}'. Thus 
was the region east of the St. Croix annexed to England, with a loss of but 
twenty men killed, and as many more wounded. No further resistance was to 
be feared. The Acadians cowered before their masters, hoping forbearance ; 
willing to take an oath of fealty to England; in their single-mindedness and 
sincerity, refusing to pledge themselves to bear arms against France. The 
English were masters of the sea, were undisputed lords of the country, and 
could e.xercise clemency without apprehension. Not a whisper gave warning of 
their purpose till it was ripe for execution. 

But it had been determined that the French inhabitants of Acadia should be 
carried away into captivity to other parts of the British dominions. '* They 
have laid aside all thoughts of taking the oaths of allegiance voluntarily," thus, 



M 



330 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

in August, 1754, Laurence, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scolia, had 
written of them to Lord Halifax. " They possess the best and largest tract of 
land in this province ; if they refuse the oaths it would be much better that they 
were away." The Lords of Trade in reply veiled their wishes under the 
decorous form of suggestions: "By the tre^^ty of Utrecht," said they of the 
French Acadians, " their becoming subjects of Great Britian is made an express 
condition of their continuance after the expiration of a year; they can not 
become subjects by taking the oaths required by subjects; and, therefore, it 
mav be a question whether their refusal to take such oaths will not operate to 
invalidate their titles to their lands. Consult the Chief Justice of Novia Scotia 
upon that point: his opinion may serve as foundation for future measures." 

France remembered the descendants of her sons in the hour of their afflic- 
tions, and asked that they might have time to remove from the Peninsula with 
their effects, leaving their lands to the English; but the answer of the British 
minister claimed them as useful subjects and refused them the liberty of trans- 
migration. 

The inhabitants of Minas and the adjacent country pleaded with the British 
otficers for the restitution of their boats and their guns, promising fidelity, if 
they could but retain their liberties, and declaring that, not the want of arms, 
but their consciences, should engage them not to revolt. "The memorial," 
said Lawrence in council, "is highly arrogant, insidious and insulting." The 
memorialists, at his summons, came submissively to Halifax. " You want your 
canoes for carrying provisions to the enemy," said he to them, though he knew 
no enemy was left in their vicinity. " Guns are no part of your goods." he 
continued, "as by the laws of England all Roman Catholics are restrained from 
having arms, and are subject to penalties if arms are found in their houses. It 
is not the language of British subjects to talk of terms with the crown or capit- 
ulate about their fidelity or allegiance. What excuse can you make for your 
presumption in treating tlie government with such indignity as to expound to 
them the nature of fidelity? Manifest your obedience by immediately taking 
the oath of allegiance in the common form before the council." 

The deputies replied that they would do as the generality of the inhabitants 
should determine; and they merely entreated leave to return home and consult 
the body of the people. The next day the unhappy men, foreseeing the sorrow 
that menaced them, offered to swear allegiance unconditionally; but they were 
told that, by a clause in a British statute, persons who had once refused the oath 
can not afterward be permitted to take, but are to be considered as popish re- 
cusants, and as such they were imprisoned. 

The chief justice, on whose opinion hung the fate of so many hundreds of 
innocent families, insisted that the French inhabitants were to be looked upon 
as confirmed "rebels;" who had now collectively and without exception become 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 331 

"recusants." Besides, they still counted in their villages "eight thousand' 
souls, and the English not more than "three thousand;" they stood in the way 
of "the progress of the settlement;" "by their non-compliance with the condi- 
tions of the treaty of Utrecht, they had forfeited their possessions to the crown ;" 
after the departure of the fleet and the troops the province would not be in a 
condition to drive them out. "Such a juncture as the present might never 
occur;" so he advised "against receiving any of the French inhabitants to take 
the oath," and for the removal of all of them from the province. 

That the cruelty might have no palliation, letters arrived, leaving no doubt 
that the shores of the Bay of Fundy were entirely in the possession of the 
British; and yet at a. council, at which Vice Admiral Boscawen and the Rear 
Admiral Mostyn were present by invitation, it was unanimously determined to 
send the French inhabitants out of the province; and after mature considera- 
tion it was further unanimously agreed that, to prevent their attempting to return 
and molest the settlers that may be set down on their lands, it would be most 
proper to distribute them amongst the several colonies on the continent. 

To hunt them into the net was impracticable; artifice was. therefore, re- 
sorted to. By a general proclamation, on one and the same day, the scarcely 
conscious victims, "both old men and 3'oung men, as well as all the lads of ten 
years of age," were peremptorily ordered to assemble at their respective 
posts. On the appointed fifth of September they obeyed. At Grand Pre, for 
example, four hundred and eighteen unarmed men came together. They were 
marched into the church and its avenues were closed, when Winslow, the 
American commander, placed himself in their center, and spoke: 

" You are convened together to manifest to you his majesty's final resolu- 
tion to the French inhabitants of this province. Your lands and tenements, 
cattle of all kinds, and live stock of all sorts, are forfeited to the crown, and you 
yourselves are to be removed from this province. 1 am, through his majesty's 
goodness, directed to allow you liberty to carry off your money and household 
goods, as many as you can, without discommoding the vessels you join." And he 
then declared them the king's prisoners. Their wives and families shared their 
lots; their sons, five hundred and twenty-seven in number, their daughters, 
five hundred and seventy-six; in the whole, women and babes and old men and 
children all included, nineteen hundred and twenty-three souls. The blow was 
sudden ; they had left home but for the morning, and they never were to re- 
turn. Their cattle were to stay unfed in the stalls, their fires to die on the 
hearths. They had for that first day even no food for themselves or their 
children and were compelled to beg for bread. 

The tenth of September was the day for the embarkation for a part of the 
exiles. They were drawn up six deep, and the young men, one hundred and 
sixty-one in number, were ordered to march first on board the vessel. They could 



332 SOUTH WEST L OUISIANA : 

leave their farms and cottages, the shady rocks on wliich the}' had rechned, 
their herds and their garners, but nature yearned within them, and they would 
not be separated from tlieir parents. Yet of what avail was the frenzied despair 
of the unarmed youth? They had not one weapon: the bayonet drove them to 
obey ; and they marxhed slowly and heavily from the chapel to the shore, 
between women and children, who kneeMng prayed for blessings on their heads, 
they themselves weeping and praying and singing hymns. The seniors went 
next ; the wives and children must wait until other transport vessels arrive. The 
delay had its horrors. The wretched people left behind were kept together 
near the sea, without proper food, or raiment, or shelter, until other ships came 
to take them awa)'; and December, with its appalling cold, had struck the shiver- 
ing, half-clad, broken-hearted sufferers before the last of them were removed. 
" The embarkation of the inhabitants goes on but slowly,'.' wrote Moncton from 
Fort Cumberland, near which he had burned three hamlets; "the most of the 
wives of the men we have prisoners are gone off with their children, in hopes I 
would not send off their husbands without them." Their hope was vain. Near 
Anna|iolis a hundred heads of families fled to tlie woods, and a party was' 
detached on the hunt to bring them in. " Our soldiers hate them,'" wrote an 
officer on this occasion, and if they can but find a pretext to kill them, they 
will." Did a prisoner seek to escape, he was shot down by a sentinel. 

Yet some fled to Quebec: more than three thousand had withdrawn to 
Miramichi, and the region south of the Ristigourche ; some found rest on the 
banks of the St. John's and its branches; some found a lair in their native for- 
ests; some were charitably sheltered from the English in the wigwams of the 
savage. But seven thousand of those banished people were driven on board 
ships, and scattered among the English colonies from New Hampshire to 
Georgia; one thousand and twenty to South Carolina alone. Tliey were cast 
ashore without resources, hating the poor house as a shelter for their offspring, 
and abhorring the thought of selling themselves as laborers. Households, too, 
were separated : the colonial newspapers contained advertisements of members 
of families seeking their companions, of sons anxious to reach and relieve their 
parents, of mothers mourning for their children. 

The wanderers sighed for their native country ; but to prevent their return 
their villages, from Annapolis to the isthmus, were laid waste; their old homes 
were but ruins. In the district of Minas, for instance, two hundred and fifty 
of their homes, and more than as many of their barns, were consumed. The 
live stock which belonged to them, consisting of great numbers of horned 
cattle, hogs, sheep and horses, were seized as spoils and disposed of by the 
English officials. A beautiful and fertile tract of country was reduced to a sol- 
itude. There were none left round the ashes of the cottages of the Acadians 
but the faithful watch dog, vainly seeking the hand that fed him. Thickets of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



333 



forest trees choked their orchards; the ocean broke over their neglected dykes 
and desolated their meadows. 

Relentless misfortune pursued the exiles wherever they fled. Those sent 
to Georgia, drawn by a love for the spot where they were born as strong as that 
of the captive Jews who wept by the side of the rivers of Babylon for their own 
temples and land, escaped to sea in boats, and went coasting from harbor to har- 
bor; but when they had reached New England, just as they would have set sail for 
their native fields," they were stopped by orders from Nova Scotia. Those who 
dwelt on the St. John's were torn once more from their new homes. When 
Canada surrendered, hatred, with its worst venom, pursued the fifteen hundred 
who remained south of the Ristigourche. Once those who dwelt in Pennsyl- 
vania presented an humble petition to the Earl of Loudon, then the British 
Commander-in-Chief in America, and the cold hearted peer, offended that the 
prayer was made in French, seized their five principal men, who in their own 
land had been persons of dignity and substance, and shipped them to England, 
with the request that they might be kept from ever becoming troublesome, by 
being consigned to service as common sailors on board ships of war. No 
doubt existed of the King's approbation. The Lords of Trade, more merciless 
than the savages and than the wilderness in winter, wished very much that every 
one of the Acadians should be driven out; and when it seemed that the work 
was done, congratulated the King that "the zealous endeavors of Lawrence had 
been crowned with entire success." I know not if the annals of the human 
race keep the record of sorrows so wantonly inflicted, so bitter and so perennial 
as fell upon the French inhabitants of Acadia,. "We have been true," they 
said of themselves, -"to our religion and true to ourselves; yet nature appears 
to consider us only as the objects of public vengeance." The hand of the 
English oflicial seemed under a spell with regard to them, and was never up- 
lifted but to curse them. 




22 






-~ti 



^ 



i'/^'fe 



V 



NOTE IV. 



LAFITTE THE PIRATE. 



oJ^^HE island of Grand Terre. the rendezvous of Lafitte the Pirate, is now, 
z/^y. says Mr. Walker, the author of The Battle of New Orleans, of January- 
'^ ■- 8, 1815,* occupied and cultivated by a Creole family as a sugar planta- 
tion, producing annually four or five hundred hogsheads of sugar. At tlie 
western extremity of the island stands a large and powerful fortification, which 
has been quite recenth- erected b}'^ the United States, and named after one of the 
distinguished benefactors of Louisiana, Edw.ard Livingston. This fort com- 
mands the western entrance, or strait, leading from the gulf into the Lake or 
Ba}' of Barataria. Here, safely sheltered, some two or three miles from the 
gulf, is a snug little harbor, where vessels drawing from seven to eight feet 
water may ride in safety out of reach of the fierce storms that so often sweep 
the Gulf of Mexico. 

Here may be found, even now, the foundations of houses, the brick work 
of a rude fort, and other evidences of an ancient settlement. This is the spot 
which has become so famous in the poetry and romances of the Southwest as 
the "Pirates' Home," the retreat of the dread corsair of the gulf. But authen- 
tic history dissipates the poetry and romance and deals in solid facts alone. 

Jean Lafitte, the so-called corsair and pirate, was a blacksmith from 
Bordeaux, France, who, within the recollection of those living, kept his forge 
at the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip street, New Orleans. He had an 
older brother, Pierre, who was a seafaring character, and had served in the 
French nav}'. Neither were pirates, and Jean knew not enough of the art of 
navigation to manage a joll_v boat. But he was a man of good address and ap- 
pearance, of considerable shrewdness, of generous and liberal heart and ad- 
ventuous spirit. 

To understand more properly the operations of the Lafittes, a few words of 
explanation are necessar}^ Shortly after the cession of Louisiana to the United 
States, a series of events occurred which made the Gulf of Mexico the arena of 
the most extensive and profitable privateering. First came the war between France 
and Spain, whicb afforded the inhabitants of the French islands a good pretence 

•A work writlen during the decade of 18501S60. 



330 S0U7HWES7' LOUISIANA : 

to depredate upon the rich commerce of the Spanish possessions, the most valu- 
able and productive in the New World. The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean 
Sea, swarmed with privateers, owned and employed by men of all nations, who 
obtained their commissions (by purchase) from the French authorities at Mar- 
tinique and Guadeloupe. Among these were not a few neat and trim crafts 
belonging to the staid citizens of New England, who, under the tri-color of 
France, experienced no scruples in perpetrating acts which, though not con- 
demned by the laws of nations, in their spirit as well as in their practical results, 
bear a strong resemblance to piracy. Tlie British capture and occupation of 
Guadeloupe and Martinique, after iSo6, in whicli expeditions. Col. Edward 
Pakenham, who distinguished himself and received a severe wound, broke up 
a favorite retreat of these privateers. Shortly after this, Columbia declared her 
independence of Spain, and invited to her port of Carthagena the patriots and 
adventurers of all nations, to aid her struggle against the mother country. 
Thither flocked all the privateers and buccaneers of the gulf. Commissions 
were promptly given or sold to them, to sail under the Columbian flag, and to 
prey upon the commerce of Spain, who, invaded and despoiled at home, had 
neither means nor spirit to defend her distant possessions. 

Tlie success of the privateers was brilliant. It is a narrow line, at the best, 
which divides piracy from privateering, and it is not at all wonderful that the 
reckless sailors of the gulf sometimes lost sight of it. The shipping of other 
countries was, no doubt, frequently mistaken for that of Spain. Rapid fortunes 
were made in this business. Capitalists embarked their means in equipping 
vessels for privateering. Of course they were not responsible for the excesses 
which were committed by those in their employ, nor did they trouble themselves 
to inquire into all the acts of their agents. Finally, however, some attention 
was excited by this wholesale system of legalized pillage. The privateers found 
it necessary to secure some safe harbor, into which they could escape from the 
ships of war, where they could be sheltered from the northers, and where, too, 
they could establish a depot for the sale and smuggling of their spoils. It was a 
sagacious thought which selected the little bay or cove of Grand Terre for this 
purpose. It was called Barataria, and several huts and store houses were built 
there and cannon planted on the beach. Here rallied the privateers of the gulf, 
with their fast-sailing schooners, armed to the teeth, and manned by fierce look- 
ing men, who wore sharp cutlasses and might be taken anywhere for pirates 
without offence. They were the desperate men of all nations, embracing as 
well those who had occupied respectable positions in the naval or merchant 
service who were instigated to the present pursuits by the love of gain, as those 
who had figured in the bloody scenes of the buccaneers of the Spanish Main. 
Besides its inaccessibility to vessels of war, the Bay of Barataria recommended 
itself by another important consideration ; it was near to the city of New Or- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 337 

leans, the mart of the growing valley of the Mississippi, and from it the lakes and 
bayous afforded an easy water communication nearly to the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi, within a short distance of the city. A regular organization of the pri- 
vateers was established, officers were chosen and agents appointed in New Or- 
leans to enlist men and negotiate the sale of goods. 

Among the most a'ctive and sagacious of these town agents, was the black- 
smith, Jean Lafitte, who embarked in the lawless and more adventurous career 
of smuggling and privateering. Gradually by his success, enterprise and 
address, he obtained such ascendancy over the lawless congregation at Bara- 
tana, that they elected him their captain or commander. There is a tradi- 
tion that this choice gave great dissatisfaction to some of the more war- 
like of the privateers, and particularly to Gambio, a savage, grim Italian, 
who did not scruple to prefer the title of "Pirate," to the puling, hypo- 
critical one of "Privateer." But it is said that Lafitte found it necessary to 
sustain his authoritj' by some terrible example, and when one of Gambio's fol- 
lowers resisted his orders, he shot him through the heart before the whole band. 
Whether this story be true or not, there can be no doubt that in the year 1813, 
when the association had attained its greatest prosperity, Lafitte held undisputed 
authority and control over it. He certainly conducted his administration with 
energy and ability. A large fleet of small vessels rode in the harbor, besides 
others that were cruising. The store houses were filled with valuable goods. 
Hither resorted merchants and traders from all parts of the country to purchase 
goods which, being cheaply obtained, could be retailed at a large profit. A 
number of small vessels were emplo3'ed in transporting goods to New Orleans, 
just as oysters, fish and game are now brought. 

In the city they had many agents, who disposed of these goods. By this 
jirofitable trade, several citizens of New Orleans laid the. foundation of their 
fortunes. But though profitable to individuals, this trade was evidently detri- 
mental to regular and legitimate commerce, as well as to the revenue of the 
Federal Government. Accordingly, several efforts were made to break up the 
association, but the activity and influence of their city friends generally enabled 
them to hush up such designs. 

Legal prosecutions were commenced on the 7th of April, 181 3, against Jean and 
Pierre Lafitte, in the United States District Court for Louisiana, charging them 
with violating the Revenue and Neutrality Laws of the United States. Nothing 
is said about piracy — the gravest offence charged being simply a misdemeanor. 
Even these charges were not sustained, for although both the Lafittes, and 
many others of the Baratarians, were captured by Capt. Andrew Holmes, in an 
expedition down the bayou, about the time of filing these informations agamst 
them, j'et it appears they were released, and the prosecutions never came to 
trial, the warrants for their arrests being I'eturned "not found." These abor- 



338 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

live proceedings appear to have given encouragement and vigor to the opera- 
tions of the Baratarians. Accordingly, we find on the 28th of July, 1814, the grand 
jury of New Orleans making the following terrible exposure of the audacity and 
extent of these unlawful transactions: "The grand jury feel it a duty the\' 
owe to society to state that piracy and smuggling has been so long established 
and so systematically pursued by many of the inhabitants of this State, and 
jiarticularl}' in this city and vicinity, that the grand jury find it difficult legally 
to establish facts even where the strongest presumptions are afforded. Tiie grand 
jury, impressed with a belief that the evils complained of have impaired public 
confidence and individual credit, injured the honest fair trader, and contributed 
to drain our country of the specie, corrupted the morals of many poor citizens, 
and finally stamped disgrace on our State, deem it a duty incumbent on them, 
by this public presentation, again to direct the attention of the public to this 
serious subject, calling upon all good citizens for their most active exertions to 
suppress the evils, and by their pointed disapprobation of every individual who 
may be concerned, directly or indirectly in such practices, in some measure to 
remove the stain that has fallen on all classes of society in the minds of the good 
people of our sister States." The report concludes vvitii a severe reproof of 
the executive of the State, and of the United States, for neglecting the proper 
measures to suppress these evil practices. 

The tenor of this presentment leads to the belief that the "pirac}'," as used 
by the grand jury, was intended to include the more common offences of fitting 
out privateers in the United States, to operate against the ships of nations with 
with which they were at peace, and that of smuggling, certainly the grave fathers 
of the city would not speak of a crime, involving murder and robbery, in such mild 
and measured terms, as are "calculated to impair public confidence, and injure pub- 
lic credit, to defraud the fair dealer, to drain the country of specie and to corrupt 
the morals of the people."' Such language, applied to the enormous crime of 
piracy, would appear quite inappropriate, not to say ridiculous. It is for this, 
as well as other proofs, that the respectable citizens, several of wliom now sur- 
vive, who made this report, had in view the denunciation of the offence of smug- 
gling into New Orleans, goods captured on the high seas, by privateers, which, 
no doubt, seriously interfered with legitimate trade and drew off a large amount 
of specie. 

However, indictments for piracy were found against several of the Bara- 
tarians. Pierre Lafitte was charged as aider and abettor in these crimes before 
and after the fact, as one who did, "upon land, to-wit: in the city of New Or- 
lans, within the district of Louisiana, knowingly and willingly aid, assist, pro- 
cure, counsel and advise the said piracies and robberies." He was arrested on 
these indictments. An application for bail was refused, and he was incarcerated 
in the calaboose, or city prison, now occupied by the Sixth District Court of 
New Orleans. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 339 

These transaction betokening a vigorous determination on the part of the 
authorities to break up the establishment at Barataria, Jean Lafitte proceeded 
to that place and was engaged in collecting the vessels and property of the asso- 
ciation, with a view of departing to some more secure retreat, when an event 
occurred, which he thought w^ould afford him an opportunity of propitiating the 
favor of the Government, and securing for himself and his companions a pardon 
for their offences. 

It was on the morning of tlie second of September, 1S14, that the settle- 
ment of Barataria was aroused by the report of cannons in the direction of the 
gulf. Lafitte immediately ordered out a small boat, in which, rowed by several 
of his men, he proceeded toward the mouth of the strait. Here he perceived 
a brig of war lying just outside the inlet with the British colors flying at the 
masthead. As soon as Lafitte's boat was perceived the gig of the brig shot off 
from her side and approached him. In this gig were three officers, clad in 
naval uniform, and one in the scarlet of the British army. They bore a white 
signal in the bow, and the British flag in the stern of their boat. The officers 
proved to be Captain Lockyer, of his Majesty's navy, with a lieutenant of the 
same service, and Captain McWilliams, of the army. On approaching the 
Baratarians Captain Lockyer called out his name and style, and inquired if 
Mr. Lafitte was at home in the bay, as he had an important communication for him. 
Lafitte replied that the person they desired could be seen ashore, and invited the 
officers to accompany him to their settlement. They accepted the invitation, and 
the boats were rowed through the strait into the bay of Barataria. On their way 
Lafitte confessed his true name and character, whereupon Capt. Lockyer de- 
livered to him a paper package. Lafitte enjoined upon the British officers to 
conceal the true object of their visit from his men, who might, if they suspected 
their design, attempt some violence against them. Despite these cautions, the 
Baratarians, on recognizing the uniform of the strangers, collected on the shore 
in a dauntless and threatening manner, and clamered loudly for their arrest. 
It required all Lafitte's art, address, and influence to calm them. Finally, 
however, he succeeded in conducting the British to his apartments, where they 
were entertained in a st3'le of elegant hospitalit}' which greatly surprised them. 

The package directed to Mr. Lafitte was then opened and the contents read. 
It consisted of a proclamation addressed by Col. Edward Nichols, in the service 
of his Britannic Majesty, and commander of the land forces on the coast of Flor- 
ida, to the inhabitants of Louisiana, dated, Headquarters, Pensacola, 29th of 
August, 1814; also a letter from the same, directed to Mr. Lafitte, as the com- 
mander of Barataria; also a letter from the Honorable Sir W. H. Percy, captain 
of the sloop of war Hermes, and commander of the naval forces in the Gulf of 
Mexico, dated September i, 1814, to Lafitte: and one from the same Captain 
Percy, written on the 30th of August, on the Hermes, in the Bay of Pensacola, 



340 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA . 

to Captain Lockyer, of tlie Sophia, directing him to proceed to Barataria, and 
attend certain affairs there vvliich aie tully explained. 

The originals of these letters may now be seen in the records of the United 
States District Court in New Orleans, where they were filed by Lafitte. They 
contained the most flattering offers to Lafitte, on the part of the British officials, 
if he would aid them, with his vessels and men, in their contemplated invasion 
of the State of Louisiana. Capt. Lockyer proceeded to enforce the offers by 
manj^ plausible and cogent arguments. He stated that Lafitte, his vessels and men, 
would be enlisted in the honorable service of the British navy, that he would receive 
the rank of captain (an offer which must have brought a smile to the face of the 
unnautical blacksmith of St. Philip street), and the sum of thirty thousand dol- 
lars; that being a Frenchman, proscribed and persecuted by the United States, 
with a brother then in prison, he should unite with the English, as the English 
and French were now fast friends ; that a splendid prospect was now open to 
him in the British navy, as from his knowledge of the gulf coast he could guide 
them in their expedition to New Orleans, which had already started: that it 
was the purpose of the English government to penetrate the upper country and 
act in concert with the forces in Canada ; that everything was prepared to carry 
on the war with unusual vigor; that they were sure of success, expecting to 
find little or no opposition from the French and Spanish population of Louisiana, 
whose interests and manners were hostile to those of the Americans ; and, finally, 
it was declared by Captain Lockyer to be the purpose of the British to free the 
slaves and arm them against the white people who resisted their authority and 
progress. 

Lafitte, affecting an acquiescance in these propositions, begged to be per- 
mitted to go to one of the vessels lying out in the bay, to consult an old friend 
and associate, in whose judgment he had great confidence. Whilst he was 
absent, the men who had watched suspiciously the conference, many of whom 
were Americans, and not the less patriotic because they had a taste for priva- 
teering, proceeded to arrest the British officers, threatening to kill or deliver 
them up to the Americans. In the midst of this clamor and violence Lafitte 
returned, and immediately quieted the men by reminding them of the laws of 
honor and humanit}', which forbade any violence to persons who came among 
them wtth a flag of truce. He assured them that their honor and rights would 
be sacred in his charge. He then escorted the British to their boats, and after 
declaring to Captain Lockyer, that he only required a few days to consider 
the flattering proposals, and would be ready in a certain time to deliver his final 
reply, took a respectful leave of his guests, keeping them in view until they were 
out of reach of the men on shore. 

Immediately after the departure of the British, Lafitte sat down and ad- 
dressed a long letter to Mr. Blanque, a member of the House of Representa- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 341 

lives of Louisiana, which he commenced by declaring that "though proscribed 
in my adopted country, I will never miss an occasion of serving her or proving 
that she has never ceased to be dear to me." He then details the fact of 
Captain Lockyer's arrival in his camp, and encloses the letters to him. He then 
proceeds to say: "I ma}' have evaded the payment of duties to the Custom- 
house, but I never ceased to be a good citizen, and all the offences I have com- 
mitted have been forced upon me by certain vices in the laws." He then ex- 
presses the hope that the service he is enabled to render the authorities, by de- 
livering the enclosed letters, "may obtain some amelioration of the situation of 
an unhappy brother," adding with considerable force and feeling, "our enemies 
have endeavored to work upon me by a motive which few men would have re- 
sisted. They represented to me, a brother in irons, a brother who is to me 
very dear, whose deliverer I might become, and I declined the proposal, well 
persuaded of his innocence. I am free from apprehension as to the issue of a 
trial, but he is sick, and not in a place where he can receive the assistance he 
requires." Through Mr. Blanque, Lafitte addressed a letter to Governor 
Claiborne, in which he stated very distinctly his position and desires. He 
says: 

"I offer to you to restore to this State several citizens, who, perhaps, in 
your eyes, have lost that sacred title; I offer you them, however, such as you 
could wish to find them, ready to exert their utmost efforts in defence of the 
country. This point of Louisiana which I occupy is of great importance in the 
present crisis. I tender my services to defend it, and the only reward I ask is 
that a stop be put to the prosecutions, against me and my adherents, by an act 
of oblivion for all that has been done hitherto. I am the stray sheep wishing to 
return to the sheepfold. If you are thoroughly acquainted with the nature of my 
offences, I should appear to you much less guilty, and still worthy to discharge the 
duties of a good citizen. I have never sailed under any flag but that of the Re- 
public of Carthagena, and my vessels are perfectly regular in that respect. If I 
could have brought my lawful prizes into the ports of this State I should not 
have employed the illicit means that have caused me to be proscribed. Should 
your answer not be favorable to my ardent desires, I declare to you that I will 
instantly leave the country to avoid the imputation of having cooperated toward 
an invasion on that point, which can not fail to take place, and to rest secure in 
the acquittal of my own conscience." 

Upon the receipt of this letter, Governor Claiborne convoked a council of 
the principal officers of the army, navy and militia, then in New Orleans, to 
whom he submitted the letters, asking their decisions on these two questions: 
I. Whether the letters were genuine? 2. Whether it was proper that the 
governor should have intercourse or enter into any correspondence with Mr. 
Lafitte and his associates? To each of these questions a negative answer was 



342 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

given, Major General Villere alone excepting, this officer (as well as the gov- 
ernor, who, presiding in the council, could not give his opinion), not only sat- 
isfied as to the authenticity of the letters of the British officers, but believing 
that the Baratarians might be employed in a very effective manner in case of an 
invasion. 

The onl}' resvilt of this council was to hasten the steps, which had been pre- 
viously commenced, to fit out an expedition to Barataria to break up Lafitte's 
establishment. In the meantime, the two weeks asked for by Lafitte, to con- 
sider the British proposal, having expired, Captain Lockyer appeared off Grand 
Terre, and hovered around the inlet several days, anxiously awaiting his approach. 
At last, his patience being exhausted, and mistrusting the intentions of the Bara- 
tarians, he retired. It was about this time that the spirit of Lafitte was sorely 
tried by the intelligence that the constituted authorities, whom he had supplied 
with such valuable information, instead of appreciating his generous exertions in 
behalf of his country, were actually equipping an expedition to destroy his es- 
tablishment. This was truly an ungrateful return for service which may now 
be justly estimated. Nor is it satisfactorily shown that mercenary motives did 
not mingle with those which prompted some of the parties engaged in this ex- 
pedition. 

The rich plunder of tiie " Pirates' Retreat," the valuable fleet of small coast- 
ing vessels that rode in the Bay of Barataria, the exaggerated stories of a large 
amount of treasure, heaped up in glittering piles in dark, mysterious caves, of 
chests of Spanish doubloons buried in the sand, contributed to influence the im- 
agination and avarice of some of tiie individuals who were active in getting up 
this expedition. A naval land force was organized under Commodore Patterson 
and Col. Ross, which proceeded to Barataria, and, with a pompous display of 
military power, entered the bay. The Baratarians at first thought of resisting 
with all their means, which were considerable. They collected on the beach 
armed, their cannons were placed in position, and matches were lighted, when 
lo ! to their amazement and dismay, the stars and stripes became visible through 
the mist. Against the power which that banner proclaimed, they were unwill- 
ing to lift their hands. They then surrendered, a few escaping up the bayou in 
small boats. Lafitte, conformably to his pledge, on hearing of the expedition, 
had gone to the German Coast — as it is called — above New Orleans. Commo- 
dore Patterson seized all the vessels of the Baratarians, and, filling them and his 
own with rich goods found on the island, returned to New Orleans laden with 
spoils. The Baratarians, who were captured, were ironed and committed to 
the calaboose. The vessels, money and stores taken in this expedition, were 
claimed as lawful prizes by Commodore Patterson and Col. Ross. Out of this 
claim grew a protracted suit, which elicited the foregoing facts, and resulted in 
establishing the innocence of Lafitte of all other offences but those of privateer- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 345 

ing, or employing persons to privateer against the commerce of Spain under tlie 
commission from the Republic of Columbia, and bringing his prizes to the 
United States to be disposed of, contrary to the provisions of the Neutrality Act, 

The charge of piracy against Lafitte, or even against the men of the asso- 
ciation of which he was the chief, remains to this day unsupported by a single 
particle of direct and positive testimon\'. All that was ever adduced against 
them, of a circumstantial or referential character, was the discovery among the 
goods taken at Barataria, of some jewelr}', which was identified as that of a 
Creole lady who had sailed from New Orleans seven years before and that was- 
never heard of afterward. 

Considering the many ways in which such property might have fallen into 
the hands of the Baratarians, it would not be just to rest such a serious charge 
against them on this single fact. It is not at all improbable — though no fact of 
that character ever came to light— that among so many desperate persons 
attached to the Baratarian organization, there were not a few who would, if the 
temptation were presented, "scuttle a ship, or cut a throat" to advance their 
ends, increase their gains, or gratify a natural bloodthirstiness. But such deeds 
can not be associated with the name of Jean Lafitte, save in the idle 'fictions by 
which the taste of the youth of the country is vitiated, and history outraged and 
perverted. That he was more of a patriot than a pirate, that he rendered ser- 
vices of immense benefit to his adopted countr}', and should be held in respect 
and heard, rather than defamed and calumniated, will, we think, abundantly 

appear in the chapter which follows. 

» 
* * 

Lcijitle the Patriot. — Repudiated and prosecuted by the authorities of the 
State and Federal Government, Jean Lafitte did not cease to perform his duties 
as a citizen, and to warn the people of the approaching invasion. The people, 
as is often the case, were more sagacious on this occasion than their chief 
officials. They confided in the representation of Lafitte, and in the authenticity 
of the accounts forwarded by him to Gov. Claiborne. One of the first mani- 
festations of these feelings was the convocation of the people at the City 
Exchange on St. Louis street. This was after the tenor of Lafitte's documents 
and the character of his developments had become known, to-wit: on the i6th 
of December, 1814. This assembly was numerous and enthusiastic. It was 
eloquently addressed bj- Edward Livingston, who, in manly and earnest tones, 
and with telling appeals, urged the peoplfe to organize for the defence of their 
city, and thus in a conspicuous manner refute the calumnies which had been 
circulated against their fidelity to the new republic, of which they had so 
recently become part and parcel. 

These appeals met a warm response from the people. Nor did the enthu- 



3t4 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

siasm which they excited vent itself in mere applause and noisy demonstrations. 
They produced practical results. A committee of public safety was formed to 
aid the authorities in the defence of the cit}- and supply those deficiencies 
which the exigenc}' should develop in the organization of the government as 
well as in the character of those charged with its administration. The com- 
mittee was composed of the following citizens: Edward Livingston, Pierre 
Fourcher, Dussau de la Croix, Benjamin Morgan, George Ogden, Dominique 
Boulignj^ J. A. Destrehan, John Blanque and Augustin Macarte. The}' were 
all men of note and influence. 

The leading spirit of the committee was Edward Livingston, a native of 
New York, and once mayor of that great city. He had emigrated to New 
Orleans shortly after the cession and organization of the territory. Of profound 
learning, various attainments, great sagasity and industry, possessing a style of 
earnest eloquence and admirable force which even now renders the productions 
of his pen the most readable of the effusions of any of the public men who have 
figured largely in the political or professional spheres in the United States, 
Edward Livingston could not but be a leading man in any community. 

The talents vvhich many years afterward adorned some of the highest 
officers under the Federal Government, and reflected such distinction on Louis- 
iana in the United States Senate, were eminently conspicuous and serviceable in 
rallying the spirits and giving confidence and harmon}' of action to the people of 
New Orleans during the eventful epoch to which the sketches relate. He was 
abl}' supported by his associates. Destrehan was a native of France, a man of 
science, resolution and intelligence, though somewhat eccentric. Benjamin 
Morgan was one of the first and most popular of the class of American merchants 
then composing a rising party in the State. 

P. Fourcher was a Creole of Louisiana, of great ardor and activity in de- 
fence of his native soil. Dussau de la Croix was a Frenchman of the ancien 
regime, an exile, who found in Louisiana the only sovereignty and tlie only 
soil which he deemed worth fighting for. A. Macarte was a planter of spirit, 
patriotism and energ}'. George M. Ogden was a leader of the Young America 
of that day, and possessed great zeal, activity and influence among the new pop- 
ulation. John Blanque was an intelligent, industrious and prominent member of the 
State Legislature. Dominique Bouligny represented the old Spanish and French 
colonists, who in turn had possessed Louisiana, his family having been one of 
the oldest in the State. He was a staid, solid and true man, who afterward 
filled a seat in the United States Senatfe, and held other offices of dignity and 
trust in the State. 

Such was the composition of the committee of public safet3'in New Orleans. 
The first act of the committee was to send forth an address to the people. 
This document bears unmistakably the imprint of Edward Livingston's genius. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 345 

It is a fervent and thrilling appeal, which produced, wherever it was read among 
the excitable population of Louisiana, the effect of a trumpet blast, rallying the 
people to the defence "of their sovereignty, their property, their lives, and the 
dearer existence of their wives and children." 

There can be little doubt that this highly important announcement and 
effective address were induced by the information supplied by Lafilte. Edward 
Livingston, the chief in the movement,' had been the confidential adviser and 
counsellor of Lafitte since 1811. His intercourse with that much maligned in- 
dividual had dispelled all doubts as to his honorable purposes. The date of 
the address being about the time of Lafitte's retirement from Barataria, and the 
absence of other information of the designs of the British, whose army had not 
then left the Chesapeake and England, all tend to the conclusion that Lafitte's 
representations aroused the people to take the defence of the city into their 
own hands. But the value of Lafitte's intelligence did not end there. 
Claiborne, preserving his reliance in the verity of these documents dispatched 
to him by Lafitte, sent copies of them to General Jackson, who was then 
stationed at Mobile, watching the movements of the Spanish and British at 
Pensacola. 

The perusal of these letters, under the popular impression as to the charac- 
ter of the parties from whom they were obtained, drew from the stern and 
ardent Jackson a fiery proclamaiion, in which he indinnantly denounced the 
British for their perfidity and baseness, and appealed in fervid language to all 
Louisianians to repel "the calumnies which that vainglorious boaster. Col. 
Nicholl, had proclaimed in his insidious address." The calumnies referred to 
were the assertions that the Creoles were crushed and oppressed by the 
Yankees, and that they would be restored to their rightful dominion by the 
British. Here we may observe the germ of that feeling which led even Jack- 
son into some errors, and the British into the most ridiculous delusions. It 
was the apprehension or doubt as to the fidelity and ardor of the French set- 
tlers and Creoles of Louisiana in the defence of the State. Subsequent events 
will show, despite the grossest misrepresentations of ignorant or designing per- 
sons that in no part of the United States did there exist greater hostility to 
the British or more earnest determination to resist the approach to the city than 
among the descendants of that race which had been from time immemorial 
England's national if not natural enemy. 

It is remarkable that while making use of the information furnished by 
Lafitte, General Jackson indulged in the strongest language of denunciation of 
the "pirates of Barataria," styling them a "hellish banditti." It would not be 
consistent with the acknowledged generosity and manly frankness of Jackson, 
as well as with subsequent events, to suppose he knew at the time this languai,'e 



346 • SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

was used how great a debt was due to the chiet of that "hellish banditti"' for 
the very information upon which his energetic measures were based. Though 
severe and violent against evil doers, and especially against those who were im- 
plicated in transactions having the aspect of cruelty, of lawless violence and op- 
pression, Jackson was at the same time remarkable for the prompt magnanim- 
ity which would extend justice, protection, and even generous forbearance to 
all brave and sincere, but guilty and erring, men. 

* 

The magnaminity displayed by Jackson on more than one occasion would 
have revolted at the application of terms, "hellish banditti" to men whose 
leaders had, at such great sacrifice of personal advancement and interest, sup- 
plied the information of the design of the British against New Orleans, fur- 
nishing the key b}' which Jackson was enabled to arrange and prepare his un- 
paralleled and glorious defence. Much more satisfactory is the conclusion that 
Jackson was kept in ignorance of the means by which this intelligence was ob- 
tained, and knew only the fact, that propositions had been made to the Bara- 
tarians, whom vulgar and prevalent reports characterized as vulgar and blood- 
thirsty pirates. Thus conspicuous and valuable were the services which Jean 
Lafitte rendered to the State of Louisiana. 

The long agony was now over. The suspense and doubt which had agita- 
ted the whole country were, for the first time, dissipated. The designs of the 
British were laid bare. Their vast preparations were understood. The point 
upon which they were to throw themselves, with the powerful force which was 
now hurr3ing toward the West Indies, was clearly perceived. The deep-laid 
scheme of the British cabinet, b}' which all disasters of the war were to be re- 
deemed in a blaze of glory, was exposed to the world. In the confidence that 
secrecy had preserved, the politicians of Great Britain, at home and on the 
continent, boldly proclaimed the conquest and occupation of New Orleans as 
fait accompli. "I expect at this moment," remarked Lord CasteJreagh, at 
Paris, about the middle of December, 1814, "that most of the large seaport 
towns of America are by this time laid in ashes; tliat we are in possession of 
New Orleans and have command of all the rivers of the Mississippi valley and 
lakes, and that the Americans are but little better than prisoners in their own 
country." 

It has been asserted by British writers that the secret of the expedition 
transpired through the carelessness and blundering of one of their own naval 
officers, who communicated the tenor of his instructions to a Jew trader whilst 
a portion of the fleet lay off the West Indies. This is the English stor}-, but it 
is an error. Before the fleet arrived near Jamaica, Lafitte had transmitted the 
documents already referred to, which developed the design of the British on 
New Orleans and led to the measures which were set on foot for its defence. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 347 

Had Lafitte assented to the proposal of the British authorities, and permitted 
them to occupy his port at Barataria, giving them the use of his fleet of small 
vessels, they would have been able to transport their army with rapidity and 
ease to the Mississippi River, at a point above New Orleans. Thus having 
means of cutting off reinforcements and supplies from the West, the capture of 
the city would have been inevitable. By examining the map of Louisiana, it 
will be seen that there is no easier access to the city from the gulf than through 
the bay and baj'ou of Barataria, a circumstance which has induced the general 
government to expend so large a sum on the fortifications of Grand Terre tliat 
command the entrance of the bay. 

Let the truth now be told. Time scatters the mist of prejudice and pas- 
sion and patient inquirv dissipates the gaudy and ingenious web of poetry and 
romance. The truthful history of Jean Lafitte must ever occupy a conspicuous 
position among the gallant spirits of 1814 and 1815, for the brilliancy and effi- 
ciency of the services which he rendered his adopted country, whose authorities 
destroyed his fortunes, blasted his prospects, and handed his name down to 
posterity as that of a blood-thirsty corsair and outlaw. The hero of numerous 
fictions, written to inflame youthful imaginations and satisfy a morbid appetite 
for scenes of blood, of murder, of reckless daring and lawless outrage. A name 
which he had. b}^ such honorable self-abnegation, hoped to redeem from all 
dishonor and connect with conspicuous and patriotic services, became the 
favorite nom de guerre of every desperate adventurer and roving corsair of the 
gulf./ 

Less cruel was that terrific Norther, which, a few years after the years we 
have described, when misfortune had crushed his spirit, bowed his manly form, 
dimmed the lustre of his eye that once possessed such power to threaten or 
command, and sprinkled with premature snows those raven locks that once gave 
so much effect to his handsome face — more merciful indeed was that relentless 
hurricane which, sweeping over the gulf in the fall of 1817, struck the little 
schooner, laden with all that remained of the once princely fortune of Jean 
Lafitte, which he was bearing to some distant land, where the odious epithet of 
pirate would not follow him — where he might end his days in peace and con- 
tentment. Amid the shrieks of the storm-birds, the roar of the elements, the 
crash of thunder, and the screams for mercy of erring men, Jean Lafitte, with 
all his worldly goods, found in a watery tomb that oblivion and rest which was 
denied to him in this life. Peace to his soul! Justice to his memory! 

Barataria, once so busy a scene, where roystering freebooters held their 
noisy wassails, where sharp-e3'ed peddlers were wont to gather as to a fair to 
purchase great bargains from traders, more skilful in handling a pike and cut- 
lass than in higgling over silks and jewelry; and where notinfrequentl}' might be 
seen some of the chief men of New Orleans, who, from the profit of their trans- 



348 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA . 

actions with the unsophisticated but very successful privateers, became million 
aires in full time to repent of their irregularities, and established for themselves 
high reputations as punctilious merchants and law-abiding citizens; where floated 
a gallant httle fleet of fast sailors, trim, arrow-like crafts, armed to the teeth ; 
where, on the low coast, quite a formidable battery of cannon stood ready to 
defend the valuable stores and dispute the passage through the narrow strait by 
which New Orleans could be reached in the shortest distance from the Gulf of 
Mexico, the scene of all this life, jollity and lawless adventure, is now one of 
the most solitary, dreary and desolate along the whole low, flat coast of the Gulf 
of Mexico. Barataria, no longer a doubtfully disputed territory, has long since 
passed from the possession of the freebooters into that of the Republic of the 
United States, which now proclaims and enforces its title by a powerful fortifica- 
tion that completely commands the bay, from whose ramparts the eye, following 
the widening strait, can discern the quiet little cove, now restored to its original 
desolation and solitude, and the dreary, storm-beaten shore, where a few dark 
mounds and crumbling heaps afford the only vestiges of the brief but brilliant 
reign of Jean Lafitte, the blacksmith of St. Philip street, New-Orleans, mis- 
called the Pirate of the Gulf of Mexico. 




NOTE V. 



BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 



l^jT^EW events in the history of Louisiana are of more vital importance to its 
iTh9 citizens than the battle of New Orleans, of January 8, 1815. Space, 
C^ however, can not be devoted to all the details preliminarj' to the great 
battle, but the most that can be given are a few extracts from Walker's History, 
to the most important points, in that, up to that time, the greatest battle ever 
fought on the American Continent. The first extract describes the battle of the 
23d of December, 1814: 

The intruders disappeared from view, and solitude again resumed its sway 
over the broad field in which the British were bivouacked. The soldiers re- 
paired to their agreeable repast and slumbers. Darkness began to gather over 
the camp. The sentinels were doubled, and the officers walked the rounds 
with restless anxiety. But the thoughtless and careless men, intent only on present 
comfort and enjoyment, trimmed their fires, so as to give cheerfulness to the 
scene, and, reproducing the remnants of their midday feast, began to make good 
use of their kettles and pans, in preparation for a comfortable supper. Many, 
too exhausted to eat, lay down to sleep. They were not, however, without 
anxiety, and for better security their arms were kept within reach, ready for 
instant use. About seven o'clock, the attention of several officers was given to 
a vessel which was stealing slowly down the river. Then from the bold and 
careless manner in which she approached their camp, many of the British 
thought that she was one of their own cruisers, which had passed the forts, and, 
after proceeding a short distance up stream to observe the enemy, had now 
arrived most opportunely to cover their left flank in their advance upon the city. 
They hailed her — no answer was returned. Several muskets were fired, of 
which she took not the slightest notice. 

With amazing audacity the men on board were seen quietly fastening the 
sails, and the vessel continued to sheer in close ashore, swinging her starboard 
right abreast of the camp. Then her anchor was let loose — a slight movement 
was observed on board — lighted matches were discerned through the darkness, 
and in the stillness of the night, and of a spectacle, which b}' its mysterious 
character had made the British speechless with astonishment, a loud voice was 



:350 SOUTH WEST L OUISIANA : 

heard from the sliip, exclaiming, "Give this for the honor of America." The 
words were followi-d by a simultaneous flash from a score of cannon and fire- 
arms, and a peifect tornado of grape shot and musket balls, which swept the 
levee and the camp in the field, killing and wounding many men, some of whom 
were asleep when struck, and scattering their fire and camp utensils in every 
direction. The havoc was more terrible from its suddenness. For some minutes 
the British were struck with consternation. Disorder prevailed through the 
camp. One of the officers saj's "they were driven into the most dire confusion, 
which cause a ten-fold panic. The scene beggared all description. No mob 
could be in a more utter state of disorganization." They vve:re mowed down by 
an unseen and unknown enemy. Nor did the Carolina — for it was tiiat vessel, 
with Commander Patterson, Captain Henley and efficient crew, which had drop- 
ped down inapportunely on the British camp — give them much time to collect 
their senses. She continued her fire with amazing rapidity and accuracy, em- 
bracing in range the whole area of the field, in which the British soldiers ran wildly 
to and fro, in pursuit of shelter. The rocketers on the levee made a feeble effort 
to bring their weapons to bear upon the schooner, but they produced no effect, 
and only elicited the jeering laughter of the sailors on board the Carolina. Finally 
the intrepid Thornton came to the rescue of his affrighted men, and ordered 
them to leave the open fields and shelter themselves under the levee. Never 
was an order more quickly obeyed. Reaching the levee, the men lay down at 
full length, listening in painful silence to the pattering of grape shot in their 
camp, and the shrieks of the wounded in the field, who, unable to gain cover, 
were knocked and tossed about like logs of wood by the remorseless schooner. 
It was now so dark that the men could not discover an object of any size, 
more than a few feet off. The Carolina slackened her fire and the prostrate 
British began to breathe freer, when a new cause of alarm arose. It was the 
firing at their outposts. First, there were a few isolated reports, evidently of 
the sentinel. Then came volleys of the pickets. These increased every second 
and came from every part of the field. Finally, a blaze of fire seemed to en- 
circle the camp. It was evident they were surrounded. Here was apparent 
confirmation of the wisdom of Keane's conduct. There must be at least twelve 
thousand men to justify such an attack upon a camp of Peninsula veterans, to 
cover and outflank so large a front. But there was no lime for reflection or 
speculation. They were surrounded and must fight or yield. The latter was 
never thought of. With his usual boldness, Thornton ordered the Eighty-fifth 
and Ninety-fifth to move from under the levee and rush to the support of the 
pickets, whilst the Fourth, stealing under cover of the levee, formed on the 
right bank of Villere's Canal, in front of the headquarters, so as to act as a re- 
serve and protect their communications with the lake. Major Gubbins led the 
Eighty-fifth on the right, and Major Mitchell the Ninety-fifth on the left, whilst 



HISTORICAL AXD BlOGRArHICAL. 351 

Colonel Tiiornton directed the movements of the whole force. They were soon 
engaged in one of the fiercest, most severely, and evenly contested night com- 
bats that ever occurred. To comprehend the order of the battle, we must fol- 
low the movements of the attacking party. 

Marching his men to Rodriguez Canal, about two miles from the British 
camp, Jackson made this ditch, running perpendicularly from the river to the 
swamp, the base of his operations. Coffee, with eight hundred men, including 
his mounted gunmen. Hinds' dragoons, and Beale's rifles, was dispatched to 
the left, with orders to ^advance along the edge of the swamps until he reached 
the boundary' line between Lacoste's and Laronde's; and dismounting his men, 
then to leave his horses and push, boldly forward, so as to gain the enemy's 
riglit, turn his position, break up his communications and destroy him. Wait- 
ing for a few minutes, until he could hear the broadside of the Carolina, which 
was to be the signal for the commencement of the battle, and when these joyful 
notes, a little before the appointed hour, fell upon his ear, delaying for a few 
minutes longer, until they could produce their full effect upon the enemy, Jack- 
son gave orders to advance. 

The right division, consisting of the regulars, the two battalions of volun- 
teers, the artillery and the marines — in all 114 7 muskets — and two six- 
pounders, and led by Jackson himself, advanced by heads of companies as near 
the river aspossible. The battle was opened by a company of the Seventh, under 
Lieutenant McClelland, which, however, was led by that gallant staff officer, 
Col. Pyatt. This company being on the extreme right, filing through the gate 
of Laronde's plantation, advanced as far as the boundary of Lacoste's, when it 
was received with a brisk discharge from one of the outposts of the enemy 
established near the road, and lying under the cover of a fence. This outpost con- 
consisted of eighty men of the ninety-fifth, commanded by Capt. Hallem. Their 
resistance to a single company of the seventh infantry has been exaggerated by one 
of the British historians into "an achievement to which neither ancient 
nor modern history can produce a parallel," as Capt. Hallem says this 
veracious writer, "was opposed to Jackson's whole army, three thousand 
strong." The truth is the gallant Capt. Hallem and his eighty men were 
posted in a ditch and behind a fence, where he was attacked by the right com- 
pany of the seventh, calling to them to come out and fight like men in the open 
ground. Pyatl attacked them with great vigor, and forced them to retire, occu- 
pying the ground they had abandoned. 

The British, however, being reinforced, returned to regain their lost posi- 
tion and opened a heavy fire upon Pyatt's detachment, who as briskly replied. 
For some minutes the firing was very severe and destructive, the combatants 
being but a few yards apart. Pyatt received a bullet in the leg, McClelland and 
a sergeant were killed, and several of the men were wounded. Meantime the 



362 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA . 

artillery advanced up the road, covered by the marines under Lieutenant 
Bellevue, and began to blaze away at the enemy's outpost with great vigor. Col- 
lecting a strong force the British made a bold push for the guns. Their heavy 
fire caused a recoil of tha* marines, and some of the horses being wounded one 
of the pieces was upset in the ditch. Jackson and his staff being near rode 
swiftly to the point of danger, and, indifferent to the shower of bullets which 
whistled around him, Jackson called out: " Save the guns, my boys, at every 
sacrifice!" Aided by Captain Butler and Captain Chotard of his staff, he suc- 
ceeded in repairing the momentary disorder and rallying the marines, and the 
company of the Seventh soon had the guns safely protected. 

These events all transpired in a few minutes; meantime the other companies 
of the Seventh advanced briskly, and, forming in battalion apptiyc on the river, 
opened a brisk fire on the British, who in a like manner had strengthened their 
lines. The Forty-fourth, forming on the left of the Seventh, soon joined in the 
fire. The eng;igement now became general and the fire was kept up on both sides 
with great steadiness. Both lines extended perpendicular from the river some 
distance out, being embraced within an old levee and the new levee. In such a 
state of affairs both became liable to be outflanked and turned, the British on the 
right and the Anjericans on the left. The British line was rapidly extending 
beyond that of the Americans, and a strong force had begun to file off behind the 
old levee toward the rear of the left of the Fortj^-fourth, and that regiment was 
compelled to oblique to the left, being forced back when Plauche and D'Aquin 
fortunately came into line, and forming under a severe fire at pistol shot advanced 
in close column. 

Just as Plauche's battalion was wheeling into line on the left of the Fort}- 
fourth, some of his platoons on the right, lapping those of the Forty-fourth, 
mistook them for the enemy and fired a volley at them, which wounded 
several men. Plauche quickly repaired the unfortunate error, and lead his 
battalion into the very face of the enemy, who gave way rapidlv. D'Aquin's 
battalion followed Plauche, and the two very soon reinstated the Foity-fourth 
in its rectilinear position; then opened a heavy fire upon the enemy, which 
caused them to give way still more. Seeing the effect of his fire, the men 
called to charge bayonets, and Plauche was about to give the order for the 
charge when Col. Ross, who had command of the volunteer battalions, coun- 
termanded the order and directed him to hold his position. This was for the 
Americans the most unfortunate event of the affair, as was shown afterward 
when the situation of tlie British became known. If the charge had been made, 
a large portion of the British army, including a whole regiment would have 
been cut off from the rest, and compelled to surrender. Finally, however, 
the British, being so vigorously pressed, deemed it prudent to retire and re- 
sume their original position on the boundary line of Lacoste and Villere's. In 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 353 

this movement they were favored by a heav\- fog, which arose about half- 
past eight o'clock. 

So much for the operation on the right. Meantime Coffee was not idle. 
Dismounting his men at the ditch, which forms the boundar}' line of Laronde 
and Lacoste, and leaving one hundred men in charge of the horses, he advanced 
rapidl}' with Beale's rifles on the left in extended order, skirting the swamp. 
When he had reached the boundary line of Villeres, and believed that he had 
gained the enemy's right, he wheeled his column to the right and advanced with 
front face to the river. The rifles on the left spread themselves over Villere's, 
and penetrated the verj" center of the British camp — killing many of the enemy 
and taking several prisoners. 

While advancing, Coffee ordered his men to be sure of their mark in tiring, 
not to lose a shot, and to fire at short distance. They were soon engaged with 
the outposts, and the quick-sightfd Tennesseeans had picked off several senti- 
nels before their approach was known, so noiseless and wily did the\' move. 
Soon, however, the British Eighty-Fifth rushed forward to meet them, and the 
two lines became warmly engaged. Both sides were remarkable for their sharp 
shooting; the Eighty-Fifth were light infantry and had long enjoyed a high 
reputation for the efficient manner in which they handled their guns. But the 
Tennesseeans were more than a match for them. They fired faster and with 
greater accuracy. The British suffered severely, losing several officers, among 
others Major Harris, the Brigade Major. 

For some time the battle waged fiercely in this part of the field, but with- 
out much order or system. It was a war of detachments and duels. The offi- 
cers would hastily collect small bodies of men as they could find them, and, 
starting out in pursuit of a hostile detachment, would rush at them and soon be 
mingled in a hand-tothand conflict. Owing to the darkness friends could not 
be distinguished from foes, and not a few fell by the bullets of their companions 
and fellow soldiers. Approaching within a few yards of one another, the}' would 
shout some vague name or call, beating, as it were, around the bush, to ascer- 
tain who their neighbors were before delivering fire. The manceuvers, as each 
party should disguise his character to get nearer his enemies. Many lamenta- 
ble mistakes were made on botli sides, by which several brave men lost their 
lives. 

Among Lacoste's negro cabins several parties of the British rifles were 
posted, who kept up a running fire on. Coffee's right companies. 

The Tennesseeans, however, recognizing the sharp crack of the rifle, gave 
these parties the preference and directed their particular attention to them. 

It required severe fighting to dislodge the rifles; but they were soon beaten 
with their own weapons. The short rifle of the English seivice was not equal 
to the long and deadl}' instrument of the western hunter and Indian fighter. 



354 SO UTH WES T LO UISIANA ■ 

For many years after the huts of Lacoste bore striking proofs of the accuracy 
of the aim of the Tennesseeans and of the severity of the combat in that part of 
the field. Concealing themselves behind the huts, the British waited until the 
Tennesseans got into the midst of them. Then they rushed forward and 
engaged with them hand to hand. Neither party having bayonets they were 
forced to club their guns, and thus man}' fine rifles where ruined. But the 
more cautious of the Tennesseeans preferred their long knives and tomahawks 
to thus endangering that arm which is their chief reliance in war, their inseper- 
able companion in peace. Many a British soldier who was found dead on the 
field, with heavy gashes on his forehead, or deep stabs in his bosom, and who 
was buried under the conviction that he came to his death by that military and 
chivalric weapon, the sword, fell, in fact, beneath those more barbarous instru- 
ments, which the Tennesseeans had learned from the savages to wield with deadly 
skill — the tomahawk and hunting knife. After being driven from the grove at 
Lacoste's the rifles fell back before Coffee's steady advances, rallying, how- 
ever, as they were joined by fresh reinforcements, and keeping up a continuous 
fire on the Tennesseeans. 

At last they gained the old levee not far from the road, and, preferring for a 
time the peril of the Carolina's broadsides to the unerring rifles of the Tennes- 
seeans, they took post behind the levee on the river side. This position was 
deemed too strong by Coffee to be carried; besides he did not care to expose 
his men to the unceasing fire of the Carolina. Accordingly he sent a dispatch 
to Jackson acquainting him with his position, and received in return an order to 
join the right division. 

If the design of Plauche of charging the already retreating line of the 
British had not been prevented by Col. Ross the two divisions would have 
united, and thus the British left would be inevitably cut off. But in the mean- 
time the right column of Jackson, finding the fog too thick, had fallen back to 
its original position, and Coffee following it at last took a position near the old 
levee, where the battle had commenced, from which he kept up an irregular 
fire on the British regulars and outposts. It was while moving in this direction 
Col. Mitchell, commanding the British Ninety-fifth (an officer who had won 
great distinction in leading the storming party at Ciudad Rodrigo and in other 
actions in the Peninsular war), advanced toward the British right for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining the character of the men who were approaching. As the 
Ninety-third Highlanders were expected every moment to reach camp. Major 
Mitchell was strongly impressed with the belief that Coffee's men, who wore 
hunting shirts, which in the dark were not unlike the Highland frock, were the 
men of the Ninety-third, and, greatly needing their aid, he eagerly advanced^ 
calling out, "Are those the Ninety-third?" 

"Of course," shouted the Tennesseeans, who had no particular number. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 355 

Mitchell thereupon pushed boldly forward within a few feet of the men, when 
Captain Donaldson stepped in front and, slapping the astonished Briton on the 
shoulder, called out, "You are my prisoner," and requested the Major's sword. 
This request was enforced by half a dozen long rifles which covered his body. 
With infinite mortification the gallant major surrendered, and, with several other 
prisoners, were borne off by the Tennesseeans. Though at the moment of his 
capture, and subsequently, Major Mitchell was treated with the kindness and 
generosity due to a gaUant foe, he never recovered his good humor, and em- 
braced every opportunity of exhibiting his spleen and disgust. The oblique 
movement of Coffee's brigade to the right produced some disasters which were 
sorely lamented by the Americans. 

In the last charge of Coffee, just before he received the order to retire, the 
left of his line, including two hundred Tennesseeans and Beale's Rifles, under 
Colonels D3-er and Gibson, got separated from that portion which moved under 
Coffee's immediate command. The British perceived the gap, and immediately 
pushed into it, forming a strong line of troops between Coffee and Dj^er. To 
this line Dyer hastened, trusting it was Coffee's. On approaching, they were 
hailed by the British to stop and report who they were. Dyer and Gibson ad- 
vanced and called out that they were the Second Division of Tennesseeans. 
Observing that this answer was not understood, he ordered his men to wheel 
and retire toward the swamp. As they were retiring, the British opened a heav\' 
fire upon them, and then charged. In the retreat Gibson stumbled and fell, and 
a British soldier, more active than iiis companions, reached him before he could 
rise and jiinned him to the ground with his bayonet. Fortunately', the bayonet 
only pierced his flesh, and Gibson, who was an active and powerful man, seized 
the musket, forcing it from his assailant, knocked him down and then escaped 
to his coiupaiiions. 

Col. D\'er had retreated but fifty 3'ards when his horse was shot and him- 
self wounded, both falling, he becoming entangled under tlie animal. At this 
moment, wlien his capture or death seemed inevitable, he had the presence of 
mind to order his men to halt and return the fire. They did so, and the British 
were checked, and tlie colonel was enabled, with the aid of some of his men, 
to release himself. Finally the whole pari)- of Tennesseeans succeeded in reach 
ing Coffee. There was a portion of Dyer's command which was not so fortu- 
nate. On the extreme left of the Tennesseeans were Beale's Rifles, extendinn- 
for some distance across Lacoste's and into Villere's field. Fighting singly or 
in small squads, they h id penetrated into the very center of the British camp, 
and gave such annoyance to the enemy as to lead to the belief that they com- 
posed the whole regiment. Whilst pressing forward the Rifles became sepa- 
rated into two parties by the fence and the ditch of Lacoste's, and when Coffee 
moved toward tlie right, the party of the Rifles on the extreme left did not 



:3o6 SOC'T/ZU'ES?' L OVISIANA : 

observe the movement and followed it. The consequence was that they were 
cut off by the British closing in between them and the first division of the com- 
pany. Finding themselves thus cut off the Rifles separated and endeavored to 
escape by starting in different directions. One party of them retreated in the 
direction of the swamp, and had nearly reached it when they observed a line of 
men advancing fi-om the swamp toward them. Deceived in the same manner 
in which Mithell had been, they concluded from the dress of the men that they 
were Coffee's "Hunters," and eagerly pressed forward, calling out: " Where's 
the first division?" " Here they are,'' was the repl}', with a broad Scottish 
a-.-cent, and the line closed in upon them at a charge, and the gleaming bayo- 
nets produced the sad conviction on the minds of the Rifles that they had been 
entrapped and must surrender. They were immediateU' taken in charge by a 
detachment of the British and hurried toward the canal, where they arrived just 
in time to be placed in the boats which had brought their captors, who proved 
to be the Grenadier Company of the Ninety-Third Highlanders. These pris- 
oners were taken down the bayou to the fleet. 

Those who were thus captured embraced several of the most respectable 
citizens of New Orleans. Among them were Benjamin Storey, Esq., long one 
of the most respected, wealtliy and prosperous merchants and bankers in the 
city, and for many years president of the Bank of Louisiana; William Flower, 
one of the oldest merchants of New Orleans. These two gentlemen had been 
badly wounded. There were also among the prisoners the late John Lynd and 
that wild, rollicking citizen of Irish birth, famous for his wit and valor, Kenney 
Lavertv. Others of the Rifles attempted to escape b}' the river, and a few 
succeeded. Two of them, however, were not so fortunate. They were Denis 
Prieur, at one time collector of the city of New Orleans and several times 
mayor, and one of the most sagacious, enlightened and intelligent public officers 
whom the city and State had ever emplo3'ed, and a Scotchm m by the name of 
McGillvray. 

After remaining together for some time, these two gentlemen agreed to 
separate. McGillvray was to endeavor to escape by the river, and Prieur 
through Lacoste's field. Accordingly they parted. Prieur advanced toward the 
right, keeping under cover of a fence until he thought he was beyond reach, 
and then started in full run across the field. He had not gone far before om- 
ing to a ditch ; he leaped it, and suddenly found himself surrounded b\' twi-nty 
British soldiers, to whom he surrendered. McGillvray was captured after 
being wounded. These were the last captures of the British. Prieur, who 
was a Creole, was taken to Gen. Keane's headquarters, where the General held 
a long conversation with him, and endeavored to impress upon his mind the 
idea that the British did not come to Louisiana to wage war against the ancient 
population, but to oust the Yankees, who had no right to the country, and 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 357 

ought not to be tolerated by the Creoles. The General, however, had moie 
than his match in Prieur, than whom there are few more astute and sagacious 
men. He parried the General's interrogatories very adroitly, e.\cept the one 
relative to Jackson's force, which, of course, h" was too shrewd not to exag- 
trerate. Satisfied that he had made a very deep impression upon the unsophisti- 
cated Creole, Keane ordered him to be released on his parole. Accordingly, 
early next morning, Piieur had the pleasure to rejoin Jackson's army at Rod- 
riguez Canal. 

Keane subsequently complained very savagely of the bad faith of the 
Creoles, who, not appreciating his kindness, had been the most active and 
sagacious enemies of the British, from the commencement to the close of the 
campaign. He should have remembered that he who endeavors to tamper with 
the loyalty and patriotism of a free people offers the most serious provocation 
and insult, and justifies a greater bitterness of hostility and severer punishment 
than were dealt out to the British on the pLiins of Villere. 

The other captive Rifles did not fare so well. They were taken to the 
British fleet, then lying off Ship Islind, and subjected for some time as prison- 
ers of war 10 many hardships. We have mentioned among the names of the 
prisoners those of John Lynd and Kenney Laverty. Lynd was a notary 
public, a quaint, sedate and solemn visaged, but very shrewd and sagacious 
person. Upon the strength of his profession, having been connected with the 
administration of law, the British founded the humorous conceit, which has 
been recorded in several publications, that in the capture of the twenty-two mem- 
bers of Beale's Rifles, they had actually taken prisoners all the lawyers and nota- 
ries of New Orleans. Such a capture would have deprived Jackson -of no less 
tlian five aids who were the leading members of the bar of the city, to-wit: 
Edward Livingston, John R. Grimes, Abner L. Duncan, Devezac and P. L. 
B. Duplessis. Lynd and Laverty, the latter on account of a most alarmingly 
treacherous brogue, the former for his sanctimonious gravity, became frequent 
butts for the gibes of the British officers. Unfortunately, however, for 
their reputation as wits, they obtained but few victories in tlieir encounters 
with the dry, solemn and quaint notary and the quick-witted Irishman. Many 
instances of their discomfiture are related by the old people, who cherish with 
much devotion the stories and the witticisms, however simple, of the times in 
which they played their parts. On one occasion the prisoners being taunted 
with a want of hospitality and generosity toward their visitors, who had been 
led to believe that they would be received with much pomp, and entertained with 
dinners and balls, the read}' Irishman replied, "And faith we did receive you 
with balls; and as for the dinners, from what we have heard of ye, we thought 
3-ou could provide for yourselves." This was a delicate allusion to the hen 
roost robbing reputation which the British brought from the Chesapeake, and 



358 SOUTHWEST L OLISIANA : 

probably to the threat of Sir Alexander Cochrane, to eat his Christmas dinner 
in New Orleans. 

During their detention in tlie fleet, the prisoners, as well as the sailors, were 
placed on half rations. Tliis was a sore trial to Americans, and especially Or- 
leanians, who were accustomed to an abundance of the luxuries and comforts of 
life. One day, as some of the officers of the fleet were amusing themselves 
by catching sharks, near Cat Island, where they abound, Sir Alexander Coch- 
rane remarked that he never saw fisli bite so greedily. 

"Probably, yer honor, they are like myself, prisoners on half rations," re- 
spectfully suggested Laverty, with a face an ell long. When it was suggested 
in allusion to his "rich Irish brogue," that the British government might treat 
him as a deserter, whose allegiance had never been surrendered, Laverty, with 
an air of great gravity, asserted that he had "drawn his first breath in a pretty 
little village in the good old State of Pennsylvania, which declaration he subse- 
quently justified by the ingenious explanation that no man breathed at all before 
he breathed the air of liberty. Strongly contrasted with Laverty's light hearted 
jollity was the oracular solemnity of his sedate companion, who never omitted 
an opportunity of warning the British of the gloomy fall which awaited them when 
Gen. Jackson should get thoroughly aroused. When the British would boast of 
their achievements on the 23d of December, they would be awe-stricken by the mys- 
terious and doleful expression, the ominous shaking of the head and rolling of the 
eyeballs with which the American seer would accompany his invariable and phro- 
phetic reply — "Oh, the end has not come yet." The ship on which the prison- 
ers were detained was the Royal Oak. At the time they were taken aboard the 
captain was absent. On his return to his ship what was the captain's surprise 
to recognize in Mr. Pollock, one of the prisoners, a bosom friend who had offi- 
ciated as groomsman for him at iiis marriage, which event had occurred in New 
York previous to the war. Of course the friends forgot that they were national 
enemies and soon became as cordial and happy as if the two nations which they 
were respectively serving were living on the best of terms. Id consequence of 
this recognition the captain of the boat caused a very elegant dinner to be pre- 
pared for the prisoners, which was attended by all the officers of the Royal Oak 
and several other ships. The dinner was quite a jovial and protracted one. 
There was an abundance of good old wine, of which the Americans partook with 
such gusto as might be expected of men who had been on "short commons" for 
several days. The indulgence came near destroying the harmony of the occa- 
sion, as some political allusion having been dropped by some of the British of- 
ficers, several of the Americans fired up and declared that they could whip the 
British, man to man, Kenney Laverty offering to take for "his share" two of the 
"brawniest chaps in the fleet." But the ill feeling and exaltation passed with 
the fumes of the liquor, and thenceforward the relations of the parties were 
pleasant and amicable. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 359 

From this elevated position, Jackson perceived, on the evening of the 27th 
of December, the formidable preparations to overwhelm him the next day. He 
comprehended, at a glance, the plan of Pakenham, and set to work to resist and 
defeat it. This was a busy night in Jackson's quarters. Officers were seen 
galloping in every direction for cannon and artillerists to strengthen their lines. 
When the British commenced their advance, Jackson had only the two six- 
pounders, which had made such a narrow escape on the night of the 23d. These 
had been established on the levee. On the night of the 27th, a twelve-pounder 
howitzer was planted so as to command the road, and shortly after a twenty- 
four-pounder on the left of the twelve. 

On the morning of the 28th another twenty-four pounder was established 
under the fire of the British battery on the levee. These, together with the bat- 
tery of the Louisiana, presented quite a formidable display of artiiler}-. The in- 
fantry also were strengthened. The First Regiment of Louisiana militia was 
ordered to position on the right of the lines, and the Second regiment to reenforce 
the extremity of the left, which had not yet been placed in a safe and reliable 
condition, though Coffee's Tennesseeans were kept incessantly at work upon it. 
Other precautions had not been neglected. The levee was cut below the lines 
in order to flood the road and drown the British or render their advance difficult. 
But fate did not favor this inglorious mode of destroying an enemy, who was des- 
tined to be overcome with his own weapons and by mortal valor. The river fell 
and the road remained undamaged. Meantime Carroll had marched his men, 
who were ill armed, many being supplied with fowling-pieces and discarded 
guns, to Canal Roderiguez, and set them to work on the entrenchments on the 
extreme left. 

Jackson now had a force of over four thousand men and twenty pieces of 
artillery. How he ever collected such a body of men and established them in 
so strong a position in so short a time, is far more astounding than the results 
wliich were subsequently achieved. Pakenham had at least eight thousand men 
of all arms — all veteran soldiers, well armed and equipped, and supplied with 
all the engines of destruction known to the science of modern warfare. 

The morning of the 28th was one of those beautiful, bracing, life and joy- 
giving days peculiar to Louisiana in the winter season. In its brightness, clear- 
ness and temperate mildness it was a delicious novelty to the British, accustomed 
to fogs, clouds, inky skies and oppressive vapors. The air was just frosty 
enough to give it purity, elasticity and freshness. A sparkling mist veiled the 
beauty of the waking morn. The evergreens which dotted and encircled the 
dusky plain with emerald glistened with the diamond drops from heaven. 

All nature seemed to be animated by these bright influences. The trees 
were melodious with the noisy strains of tlie rice birds, and the bold falsetto of 
that pride of Southern ornithology, the mocking bird, who, here alone, continues 



360 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

the whole year round his unceasing notes of exulting mocker}' and vocal defi- 
ance. • * * At break of day, or as soon as the mist had melted into tlie 
purple that spread over the horizon, to form, as it were, a carpet on which the 
king of day might strut forth upon the world, both armies stood to arms. Pickets 
were called in. Drums were beat. The blast of bugles rang far along the 
banks of the old Father of Waters. All the hum and buzz of some great move- 
ment were observable in both camps. Jackson occupied his old position, vvatcli- 
ing from the window of his headquarters every movement of his enemy with the 
eye of a lynx and the heart of a lion. His countenance wore that same expres- 
sion of stern determination and dauntless courage, communicating to all around 
a fearless and undoubting confidence. Often would he cast anxious glances up 
the road to the city, as if in expectation of some new reinforcement. 

He was not permitted to remain long in doubt as to the intention of the British. 
Their army was soon perceived to be in motion. It advanced in two steady 
columns. Gibbs, with the Fourth, the Twenty-first, Forty-fourth and one Black 
Corps, hugging the wood or swamp on the right with the Ninety-fifth Rifles, 
extending in skirmishing order across the plain and meeting the right of Keane's 
column, which consisted of the Eighty-fifth, the Nmety-fifth and one Black 
Corps. The artillery preceded the latter in the main road. Keane held his 
column as near the levee as possible, and under the protection of Bienvenu's 
and Chalmette's quarters. Detached from Gibbs' column was a party of skir- 
mishers and light infantry, under the command of that active and energetic 
officer. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rennie, whose orders were to turn the 
American left and gain the rear of tlieir camp. In this order the British moved 
forward in excellent spirits and brilliant array. Pakenham, with his staff and 
a guard composed of the Fourteenth Dragoons, rode nearly in the center of the 
line, so as to command a view of both columns. The American scouts retired 
leisurely before the British, firing and shouting defiance at them The Louisiana 
now weighed anclior and floated down the stream, and then anchored again in 
a position which commanded the road and the whole field in front of the Ameri- 
can lines. Jackson had ordered McRea, of the artillery, to blow up Chalmette's 
and Bienvenu's houses. By some accident this order was only partially executed 
— a fortunate circumstance — as these buildings served to mask the American lines 
at the strongest point, and to precipitate Keane's column with perilous sudden- 
ness upon Jackson's guns. Chalmette's, the house nearest to Jackson's lines, 
was blown up just as the British passed Bienvenu's. This had been ever since 
the 23d the headquarters of Hind's troops, whence they were in tlie habit of 
coming hourly in detachments to harass the enemy and reconoiter his position. 
Now, for the first time, Keane beheld through his glass the mouths of several 
large cannon protruding from Jackson's lines, and completely covering the head 
of his column. These guns were manned as guns are not often manned on land. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 361 

Early in the morning Jackson's anxious glances toward the city had been 
changed into expressions of satisfaction and confidet)ce by the spectacle of sev- 
eral straggling bands of red-shirted, bewhiskered, rough and desperate-looking 
men, all begrimed with smoke and mud, hurrying down the road toward the 
lines. These proved to be tlie Baratarians under Dominique, Yeou and Bluche, 
who had run all the way from the Fort St. John, where they had been stationed 
since their release from prison. They immediately took charge of one of the 
twenty-four-pounders. The Baratarians were followed by two other parties of 
sailors of the crew of the Carolina, under Lieutenants Crowley and Norris. 
These detachments were ordered to man the howitzer on the right and the other 
twenty-four-pounder, which, being on the left of Plauche's battalion, had been 
in charge of St. Geme's dismounted dragoons. 

Thus prepared, Jackson waited the approach of the British. Forward they 
came, in solid column, as compact and orderly as if on parade, under cover of 
a shower of rockets, and a contmual fire from their artiller}' in front and their 
batteries on the levee. It was certainly a bold and imposing demonstration, for 
such, as we are told by British officers, it was intended to be. To new soldiers, 
like the Americans, fresh from civic and peaceful pursuit, who had never wit- 
nessed any scenes of real warfare, it was certainly a formidable display of mili- 
tary power and discipline. These veterans moved as steadily and closely 
together as if marching in review instead of " in the cannon's mouth." Their 
muskets catching the rays of the morning sun, nearly blinded the beholder with 
their brightness, whilst their gay and varied uniforms, red, gray, green and 
tartan, afforded a pleasing relief to the winter-clad field and the sombre objects 
around. 

On, on came the glittering array, scarcely heeding the incessant fire which 
tliat cool veteran, Humphrey, poured into their ranks from the moment they 
were visible. But as they approached nearer, they were suddenly brought to a 
sense of their danger and audacity \)y the simultaneous opening of the batteries 
of Morris and the Baratarians, and by a terrible broadside from the Louisiana, 
whicii swept the field obliquely to tlie line of march of the British column. 
Never was there a more effective and destructive fire. For several hours it was 
maintained with incessant vigor and pitiless fury. More than eiglit hundred 
shots were fired b}' the Louisiana alone, with most deadly effect. One single dis- 
charge of this most admirably managed battery — for it hardly deserved the name 
of ship, killed and wounded fifteen men. 

Under such an incessant and galling fire, there was no safety for the British 
except in retreat, or in a supine position, as it is called in militarj^ phrase, but 
as it would be styled in American parlance, " taking to the ditch." For some 
time Keane's solid column withstood with great firmness this terrific storm; but 
it was a vain display of valor. Soon were the battalions ordered to deploy into 



362 SOUTH WEST LOUISIANA : 

line and seek a covet" in the ditches. In a few minutes the heavy column was 
diluted into a thin line, and the men scrambled pell mell into every convenient 
ditch, or behind every elevated knoll which presented itself. Gaining the 
ditches, in which they sank to their middle, tliey leaned forward, concealing 
themselves in the rushes which grew on the banks of the canal. 

The artillery could not be so easily removed or covered. The guns of the 
Americans were now concentrated on tlie British battery. The two field pieces, 
which had been advanced on the road and levee, quite near to the American 
lines, were soon dismantled, many of tlie gunners were killed, and those who 
escaped destruction finally abandoned their useless pieces, leaving them on the 
road to be knocked and tossed about, the sport of Humphrey's unerring twelve- 
pounders. Thus, disastrously and ignominously, was Keane's column broken 
by the American artillery. The melancholy and pensive countenance of Paken- 
ham grew dark and gloomy indeed, as he perceived his brilliant battalions 
melt into the earth as suddenly and magically as the clansmen of Rhoderick 
Dhu— 

" It seemed as if the mother earth 

Had swallowed up her warlike birth." 

Keane uttered curses, both loud and deep, upon the cruel fate which had 
cast his lot, hitherto so brilliant, upon so dreary a field of military enterprise — a 
field fertile in everything but British laurels. 

How fared it with Gibbs on the right? Here the prospect opened brighter, 
as the head of the column approached the American lines. In the view of 
Gibbs, who had led the storming party against Fort Cornelius, defended by one 
hundred guns, and of his men, who had scaled the parapets of Badajoz, the 
walls of St. Sebastian and a hundred other places of equal strength, nothing 
could be more contemptible than "the mere rudiments of an entrenched camp," 
as they were styled by British writers. The whole works consisted of a low 
mound of earth with a narrow ditch in front, not too wide to be leaped by a man 
of ordinar}' agility. So it remained through the whole campaign. 

As this mound came in view, Gibbs halted his main column, whilst the 
skirmishers were thrown forward, and the detached part under Rennie dashed 
into the woods, closely pursuing the American outposts, and advancing to a po- 
sition within a hundred yards of the lines, behind which Carroll was posted 
with his Tennesseeans. That prompt and ready officer immediately ordered 
Colonel Henderson, with two hundred Tennesseeans, to steal through the 
swamp, gain the rear of Rennie's party and then oblique to the right so as to 
cut them off from the main body. It was a rash adventure, such as General 
Jackson would not have sanctioned had he been present in that part of the lines. 
Henderson's movement might have succeeded if he had not advanced too far to 
the right, and thus brought his men under the heavy fire of a strong body of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 363 

British, who wei^e posted beiiind a fence, nearly concealed by grass and weeds. 
The Colonel, a gallant and promising officer, and five men were killed b\'. the 
fire, several were wounded, and the others seeing the object of tlie movement 
defeated, retired behind the lities. This was the only success achieved by the 
British that day. * • * On that day the Americans lost nine men killed and 
eight wounded. Of the British loss there are no precise or reliable accounts. 
We conjecture from general statements it reached nearly two hundred killed and 
wounded. Such was the ignominious conclusion of the imposing demonstration 
or feint of the British on the 28th of December, 1814, just fifteen days before 
the decisive battle was fought. ^ 

* » 

Preparations for the Great Battle. — Jackson's artillery force may be 
summed up as follows: Four sixes (including those in the redoubt), three twelves, 
two eighteens, three twenty-fours, one thirty-two, one six-inch howitzer and one 
small brass carronade. There was also a mortar, which remained for some lime 
in the camp, of no use, because no person could be found in the army who knew 
how to plant it. This task was at last performed by a French veteran of the 
name of Lefebver, but it did not prove a very effective weapon. Jackson's artil- 
lery consisted of sixteen pieces, of various caliber. The heaviest of the artillery 
was placed on the right, to resist the British batteries and repel the attack in 
that quarter. As a part of his defence, the marine battery on the right bank, 
under Patterson, consisting or three twenty-fours and six twelves, which that 
active officer had placed in battery between the 3d of December and 6th of Jan- 
uary, and which flanked the enemy on the left bank, must not be forgotten. 
This would swell Jackson's artillery force to twenty-five pieces — quite a formid- 
able proportion of artillery to so small a force of infantry. The latter were dis- 
tributed as follows: The redoubts on the extreme right were occupied by a 
company of the Seventh Infantry, under Lieutenant Ross. The two sixes were 
served by a detachment of the Forty-fourth, under Lieutenant Marant. Tents 
were pitched in this redoubt. On the extreme right, between Humphrey's bat- 
tery and the river, were stationed Beale's Rifles, thirty in number. From their 
left the Seventh Infantry extended to Battery No. 3, covering Humphrey's and 
Morris' guns, taking in the powder magazine, built since ist January. 

This regiment was four hundred and thirty strong, under that active young 
Creole, Major Peire. Between the two guns of Battery No. 3 (Yeou's and 
Bluche's) the company of the Carbineers were stationed, and the remainder of 
Plauche's battalion of Orleans, and Lacoste's battalion of free men of color — 
the former numbering two hundred and eighty-nine, the latter two hundred and 
eighty — filled up the interval from No. 3 to No. 4 (Crawley's thirty-two) cover- 
ing the latter gun. Daquin's battalion of free men of color, one hundred and 
fift}-, and the Forty-fourth, under Captain Baker, two hundred and forty, ex- 



364 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

tended to Perry's battery No. 5; two-thirds of the remaining length of the 
line was guarded by Carroll's command, who was reinforced on the 7th by 
one thousand Kentuckians under General Adair, consisting of six hundred 
men under Colonel Slaughter, and four hundred under Major Harrison, who 
were all of Major General Thomas' Kentucky division of twenty-two hundred 
and fifty for whom arms could be obtained. 

On the right of Battery No. 7 (Spott's) five liundred marines were stationed 
under Lieutenant Bellevue. The extreme left was held by Coffee, whose men 
were compelled to stand constantly in the water, and had no other beds than the 
floating logs which tliey could make fast to the trees. Coffee's command was 
five hundred. Ogden's horse troops, fifty strong, were stationed near head- 
quarters; Cauveau's thirty, near him; and Hines' squadron, one hundred and 
fifty strong, was encamped in the rear, on Delery's plantation. Detachment of 
Colonel Young's regiment of Louisiana militia were stationed in the rear, near 
Pierna's canal, to prevent the enemy coming into the camp in that direction, and 
also to prevent any person from leaving the lines. Outposts were thrown out 
five hundred yards to the front. Jackson's whole force on the left bank of the 
river amounted to four thousand men, but his lines were occupied by only three 
thousand two hundred, of which less than eight hundred were regular troops, 
and those mostl}- fresh recruits commanded by young officers. The con- 
solidated report gave, on the 8th of January, 1815, on the left bank of the river, 
a force of five thousand and forty-five, in which, however. Major Harrison's 
Kentucky battalion is not included. 

Jackson's army was divided into two divisions. The troops from the right 
to the left of the forty-fourth were under the command of Colonel Ross, acting 
Brigadier General, and the left of the line under Carroll and Coffee, the former 
as Major General and the latter as Brigadier General. 

How grossl}' and shamefully untrue is the statement of nearl\' all the British 
historians, that Jackson had an army of twelve tliousand. Allison, in his fourth 
volume of the history of Europe, says: "Including seamen and mariners about 
six thousand combatants on the British side were in the field; a slender force 
to attack double their number, entrenched to their teeth and loaded with heavy 
artilery. * * * * General Jackson, an ofiicer since become celebrated, 
both in the military and political history of the country, commanded a military 
force destined for the defence of the city which amounted to about twelve 
thousand men." It will be seen that this great standard historian quadruples 
Jackson's force, and, by the vagueness of his terms, conveys the idea that the 
British were but six thousand, which was the number of their storming columns, 
exclusive of their reserves, of Thointon's detachment and the sailors and 
marines. 

So Bissett, in his "History of the Reign of George III," states that the 



HISTORICAL A. YD BIOGRAPHICAL. 365 

Ameriran force collected for the defence of New Orleans consisted of thirty 
thousand men. The author of the narrative of the British Arni}^ at Washing- 
ton, Baltimore and New Orleans, an actor in the events he describes, after 
mentioning the conflicting estimates of the American foixe, varying from 
twenty-three thousand to thirty thousand, chooses a middle course and supposes 
the whole force to be about twenty-five thousand. Baines, in his "History of 
the French Revolution,"' approaches the truth, and sets down the force on each 
side at about ten thousand men. 

Besides the arrangements for defence mentioned, tliere is another charac- 
teristic precaution of Jackson. He had directed another entrenchment to be 
thrown up a mile and a half in the rear of that which he occupied with his army, 
in which were posted all those of his army who were not well armed or regarded 
as able-bodied. With rare exceptions, the men in charge of this line were 
armed with only spades and pickaxes. Should the enemy succeed in carrying 
his main works by escalade, Jackson intended to throw forward his mounted 
force and, under their protection, fall back to and rally upon his second line. 
A third line had also been drawn still nearer the cit}', upon which the men had 
commenced working quite vigorously. 

On the 6th it was well understood by Jackson that the British intended to 
cross the river, but whether for the purpose of concentrating their force on the 
weak defences on the right bank, or for a simultaneous and concerted advance 
on both banks, could onl}' be conjectured by the American commander. To 
obtain some information on this point Jackson sent his intelligent and sagacious 
aid, Col. John R. Grimes, across the river to observe the movements of the 
enemy at Villere's, and report upon the condition of Morgan's defences. Col. 
Grimes executed this order in a prompt and efficient manner. He saw at a 
glance that the enemj' was preparing to throw a detachment across the river, 
and he advised Gen. Morgan to marcli his whole force down, under cover of tiie 
levee, take post opposite Villere's, and, when the enemjr approached in their 
boats, to open fire upon them. Completely protected by the levee, a better 
entrenchment than that which Jackson had thrown up on the left, there is little 
doubt that, if this advice had been adopted, Morgan would have destroyed the 
British detachment, which might attempt to cross the river, or at least driven it 
back. But, instead of pursuing this sensible and practicable plan, Morgan sta- 
tioned his advance, consisting of one hundred and twenty militia of Maj. 
Arnaud's battalion, under Maj. Tessier, armed with fowling pieces and musket 
cartridges, on Maj-hew's canal, in front of his own position, and several hun- 
dred yards from the place where the British would probably land. Of course, 
this small force could cover but a small portion of a position so illy chosen. 

On the night of the 7th Commodore Patterson and his volunteer aid, R. D. 
Shepherd, proceeded down the right bank of the river, and, arriving at a point 
23 



3GG SO UTH WES T L O UISIA NA : 

opposite the scene of the British jireparations, where they appeared to be most 
actively engaged, observed closely their proceedings. They could hear a con- 
siderable commotion in the enemy's camp — the sound of men pulling and 
dragging boats, as if in great haste; the splash of boats as they fell into the 
river; the orders of officers, and tlie expressions of relief and satisfaction of 
the laborers as some work, appeared to be finished. They could even discover, 
by the camp fires, a long line of soldiers drawn up on the levee. They hastened 
back to Patterson's batter}-. On their return Patterson observed the very weak 
and insecure position of Morgan, and, after consulting with that officer, directed 
Mr. Shepherd to cross the river and inform Gen. Jackson of the state of affairs, 
and beg him to reinforce Morgan, who had not men enough to occupy his lines. 
Shepherd crossed the river and arrived at Jackson's headquarters about one 
o'clock on the morning of the 8th. He informed the sentinel on guard that he had 
important intelligence to communicate to the General, and was accordingly 
ushered into tlie room where Jackson lay on a sofa, snatching a few moments of 
rest from the fatigues of the day. Around the General lay his aids on the floor, 
all asleep. On Shepherd's entering, Jackson raised his head and asked: 
" Who's there?"" 

Mr. Shepherd gave his name, and added that he had been sent over bv 
Commodore Patterson and Gen. Morgan to inform him, Gen. Jackson, that the 
appearances in the British camp indicated that the main attack was to be made 
on the right bank, and that Morgan required more troops to maintain his position. 
" Hurry back," replied the General, rising from his recumbent position, " and 
tell Gen. Morgan that he is mistaken. The main attack will be made on this 
side, and I have no men to spare. He must maintain his position at all 
hazards." Then looking at his watch, and observing that it was past i o'clock, 
he exclaimed aloud, addressing his sleeping aids: " Gentlemen, we have slept 
enough. Arise. The enemy will be upon us in a few minutes; I must go and 
see Coffee." The aids arose hastily and commenced buckling on their swords, 
when Mr. Shepherd departed, and, recrossing the river, delivered the reply of 
Jackson to Morgan. 

Jackson did not, however, neglect Morgan, but ordered Gen. Adair to 
send a detachment of five hundred Kentuckians to the lines on the right bank. 
This detachment was placed under the command of Colonel Davis. It was very 
badly armed and was greatly delayed in crossing the river. At the naval 
arsenal, on the right bank, the Kentuckians received some old muskets, but 
when they commenced their march to join Morgan, there were but two hundred 
and sixty of them armed, and some of these had common pebbles instead of 
flints in their locks. They were, however, hurried forward without rest or food, 
and after a fatiguing march of five or six miles, arrived at Morgan's lines: thence 
they were ordered forward to the advanced position already occupied by Tessier. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 367 

They arrived here greatly fatigued, and formed on Tessier's left but a few 
moments before the enemy appeared in sight. 

Morgan's whole force consisted of eight hundred and twelve men, all mi- 
litia, and but poorly armed. On his left he had two six-pounders, which were 
placed in charge of Adjutant John Mixon, of the Louisiana militia, and a twelve- 
pounder under Lieutenant Philibert, of the navy. 

Patterson's battery, being in the rear of and masked by Morgan's lines. 
could not be used in defence of the same. The guns were turned so as to flank 
the front of Jackson's lines on the left bank. Such were the arrangements of 
the two armies for the expected final contest. 

There was little sleeping in the American lines on the night of the ^\\\. 
The men were all engaged in cleaning their pieces, preparing cartridges and 
performing various duties of preparations for the conflict. The outposts and 
scouting parties were all alive, as usual, watching ever}' movement in the British 
camp with characteristic American curiosit}'. They could hear very distinctly 
corresponding notes of preparation on the enemy's side, among which was the 
noise of the workmen in reconstructing the redoubts, near the Chalmette build- 
ing, wiiich had been destroyed on the ist of January. 

There was intense anxiety, but no fear, in Jackson's little army. The citi- 
zen soldiers had now grown to be veterans. They had learned confidence in 
their general, and in themselves, and if these were not sufficient to nerve their 
arms for the struggle, the recollection of those dear ones who then reposed in 
the city behind them, with so much confidence in their devotion and heroism, 
inspired every heart with heroic courage and determination. 

Battle of Neiv Oi'lcaus. — By the same conveyance which brought reenforce- 
ment to Lambert, the British soldiers received a most acceptable addition to 
their comforts, in the shape of a supply of fresh provisions. A refreshing sup- 
per on the evening of the 7th produced no little vivacity in the camp, and after 
packing their knapsacks, burnishing their arms, filling their cartridge boxes, 
and arranging their modest toggerj, that they might appear before the famous 
beauties of New Orleans to greater advantage, the soldiers destined to storm Jack- 
son's lines lay down to refresh their bodies for the coming struggle. At the same 
time Thornton, with his command, moved to the bank of the river, where the 
men were drawn up and kept waiting for the boats which were to pass them to 
the opposite side. The patience of Thornton was sorelj^ tried by the delay in 
the arrival of the boats. After the British had excavated a canal of sufficient 
depth, the banks began to cave in just as they were dragging the boats through 
the water, and their progress was greatly impeded. The providential and quite 
unexpected falling of the river was the cause of this obstacle. The sailors were 



368 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

at last compelled to drag the boats throu<;h tlio mud, and were thus enabled to 
launch upon the river about one-fourth of the boats needed. 

Thornton ordered his own regiment, a division of sailors and a compan} of 
marine*, to crowd into the boats, making about seven hundred men, and then the 
flotilla, under Captain Roberts, pushed off from the left bank of the river. This 
was not Thornton's onl}- unexpected obstacle. Deceived, as all strangers 
are, by the quiet, smooth current of the Mississippi, Captain Roberts imagined 
that tiie oars of the sailors could keep the boats right ahead and enable them to 
disembark at a point opposite that of his departure. He was grievously mistaken. 
The Mississippi current at this point runs at the rate of five miles an hour. The 
barges of the British, instead of holding up against the current, were swept by 
it a mile and a half down the stream. Thus it happened that before Thornton's 
detachment could step asliore, the eastern sky began to streak with the light of 
coming day. 

Long after the men in the British camp had fallen asleep, full of hope, 
confidence, of bright dreams of wealth, luxury, and spoils of "booty and 
beauty,'" the officers kept awake their little circles, discussing the chances of 
the morrow's combat. 

The older and more experienced commanders, to whom the delav in 
bringing up the boats was known, were gloomy and desponding. Some of them 
openly expressed their belief that t'ne ensemble of their plan was lost, and it 
would have to be gone over again. Col. Dal}-, of the Ninet3--tliird Highlanders, 
a brave and thoughtful officer, being asked for his opinion, turned to Dr. 
Dempster of liis regiment, and giving him his watch and a letter said: "Deliver 
these to my wife — I shall die at the head of my regiment." The conduct of 
Col. Mullens, of the Forty-fourth, was even more desponding, and far less 
heroic. His wife, an elegant lad}', was then in the fleet, and had 
come over to gi-ace the fashionable circles of New Orleans. She had 
been the life of the squadron, contributing, by her fascinating manners 
and vivacity, to brighten many of the dull and gloornj' hours of the long voyage. 
But her husband was far from being the soul of the army. Son of a lord, he had ob- 
tained his promotion more by influence than merit. 

Among the officers who have carved out their names and commissions by 
their own good swords, the designation of Mullens to lead the advance of the 
storming parly was ascribed to the natural csfirit de corps of their aristocratic 
commander, himself the son of an earl. Perhaps they were correct, but Paken- 
ham and Mullens took very different views of the privileges of the sons of peers. 
Pakenham regarded that an honor and distinction which he frequently enjoyed, 
never without glory, and never without grievous wounds, which Mullens looked 
upon as a death sentence. He had received one honorable wound at Alvuera, 
and that sufficed to fill the measure of his ambition. Besides, Col. Mullens, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 369 

whether prompted by a regard for his own safety, or his good sense, had the 
sagacit}' to perceive the hopelessness of the enterprise, and to declare that con- 
viction in the hearing of both officers and men. He stated that his regiment 
had been ordered to execution — that their dead bodies were to be used as a 
bridge for the remainder of the army to march to a like fate. The 30ung 
officers were in better spirits. Tliej^ had no doubt of their success, and, in a 
ga}- and jovial manner, discussed their individual chances in the battle, speculated 
on tlie results of tlie campaign — on the prospect of accumulating fortunes — 
where they would be quartered in the city — what frolics they would have — what 
distinction they would enjoy in the ga}' city of New Orleans — what jolly letters 
they would write home, and what handsome presents they would send to the 
girls they "left behind them," not 'forgetting mothers, wives, sisters and 
cousins. 

About the hour when Jackson aroused his aids, Pakenham, having refreshed 
himself with a short slumber, repaired from his headquarters to Villere's man- 
sion, at the mouth of the canal, and there discovered the mortifying delay in 
transporting Thompson's detachment across the river. 

A cooler-headed commander would have perceived the serious interruption 
which this accident made in his plan of operations and conformed his other 
movements to it. In other words, he would have countermanded the advance 
on the left bank, which it was now certain must follow that on the right, but 
which, if executed under the orders that had been issued, should precede it. But 
Pakenham was a self-willed, gallant and somewhat reckless man, who believed 
that courage and daring were the chief reliance in all military operations, who 
never, like Lysander, eked out the lion's skin with the fox's. The orders of the 
Seventh were therefore adhered to. 

Before day Gibbs' and Keane's men were aroused from their lairs, and, 
forming, advanced in line some distance in front of the pickets, about four hun- 
dred or five hundred yards from the American lines. Here the}' remained, lis- 
tening in anxious suspense for the firing on the other side of the river. Not a 
sound could be heard across the calm surface of the great, silent Mississippi. A 
thick fog involved the armj^ and shut out all in front and in rear from view. 
The minutes, the hours flew rapidl}- by, and not a sound of Thornton could be 
heard. The truth was that gallant officer had not even landed his men when 
Gibbs began to form his column for the advance. The mist was now breaking. 
The American flag, on its loft}- staff, in center of Jackson's lines, began to 
wave its striped and starry folds above the vapory exhalations from the earth, 
within full view of the British lines, and the dark mound, behind which the 
guardians of that standard stood, with arms at rest, became faintly visible. On 
the mound stood many a sharp-eyed soldier, painfully stretching his vision to 
catch the first glance of the enemy, that might be announced by his approach. 



370 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

or have the first fire at him. This honor was reserved for Lieutenant Spotts, 
who, perceiving a faint red line several hundred yards in front, discharged his 
heavy gun at it. Slowly the fog rolled up and thinned off, revealing the whole 
British line, stretching across two-thirds of the plain. At the same moment a 
rocket shot up near the river; another on the right, near the swamp; and then 
the long line seemed to melt awaj' suddenly, puzzling the American gunners, 
who were just bringing their pieces to bear upon it. But the British had only 
changed their position and then deployed into column of companies. 

Forming this column of attack in admirable order, Gibbs now advanced 
toward the wood, so as to have its cover, the Forty-fourth in front followed by 
the Twenty-first and Fourth. The column passed the redoubt on the extreme 
right of the British, near the swamp, wh'ere the men of the Forty-fourth were 
directed to pack the ladders and fascines, at the same time stacking their 
muskets. The batteries of Spotts' Number 6 and Garrique's Number 7, and the 
Howitzer Number 8, now began to plaj' upon the column with some effect. 
There was no time to spare. The Forty-fourth with the rest of the column 
rushed past the redoubt, some of the men picking up a few fascines and ladders 
as they marched, and, fronting toward the American lines, advanced steadily in 
compact columns, bearing their muskets at a shoulder. In his advance, Gibbs 
obliqued toward the woods, so as to be covered by the projection of the swamp. 
But he could not elude the fire of the batteries, which began to pour round and 
grape shot into his lines with destructive effect. It was at this moment whispered 
through the columns that the Forty-fourth had not brought the ladders and fas- 
cines. Pakenham hearing it, rode to the front and discovered it was but too true. 
He immediately called out to Colonel Mullens, who was at the head of his regi- 
ment, " File to the rear and proceed to the redoubt, execute the order and 
return as soon as possible with your regiment." The execution of this order 
produced some disorder in the column, and some delay in its advance. Gibbs, 
indignant at this disturbance, and at the disobedience of Mullens, and perceiv- 
ing his men falling around him, exclaimed, in a loud voice, " Let me live until 
to-morrow and I'll hang him to the highest tree in that swamp." 

But the column could not stand there exposed to the terrible fire of the 
American batteries, waiting for the Fort3^-fourtli, and so Gibbs ordered them 
forward. On they went, the Twenty-first and Fourth, in solid, compact column, 
the men hurraing and the rocketers covering their front with a blaze of their 
combustibles. The American batteries we have named were now playing upon 
them with awful effect, cutting great lanes through the column from front to 
rear, and huge gaps in their flanks. These intervals were, however, quickly 
filled up by the gallant red coats. The column advanced without pause or re- 
coil steadily toward Spott's long eighteen, and Cheauveau's six (No. 9). 
Carroll's men were all in their places, with guns sighted on the summit of the 



HISTORICAL A.\D BIOGRAPHICAL. 371 

parapet, while the Kentuckians, in two lines, stood behind, ready to take the 
places of the Tennesseeans as soon as their pieces were discharged, thus making 
four lines in this part of the entrenchment. 

There they stood, alias tirm as veterans, as cool and calculating as American 
frontiersmen. All the batteries in the American line, including Patterson's ma- 
rine battery, on the right bank, began now to join those on the left in hurling a 
tornado of missiles into that serried, scarlet column, which shook and oscillated 
like a huge painted ship tossed on an angry sea. 

■' Stand to your guns," cried Jackson, as he glanced along the lines; "don't 
waste 3'our ammunition — see that every shot tells." 

Again he exclaimed. "Give it to them, bo3-s ; let us finish the business to- 
day." 

The confused and reeling army of red coats had approached within two 
hundred yards of the ditch, when the loud command of Carroll "Fire I Fire !" 
rang through the lines. The order was obe3'ed, not hurriedly, excitedly and 
confusedly, but calmly- and deliberatel}', by the whole of Carroll's command, 
commencing on the left of the Forty-fourth. The men had previously calculated 
the range of their gims, and not a shot was thrown away. Their bullets swept 
through the British columns, cutting down the men by scores, and causing its 
head and flanks to melt away like snow before a torrent. Nor was it one or 
several discharges followed by pauses and intervals, but the fire was keot up 
without intermission, the front men firing and falling back to load. Thus the 
four lines, two Tennesseean and two Kentuckians, sharing the labor and glory 
of the most rapid and destructive fusilade ever poured into a column of soldiers. 

For several minutes did that terrible, incessant fire blaze along Carroll's 
front, and that rolling, deafening, prolonged thunder fill the ears and confuse 
the sense of the astounded Britons. Those sounds will never cease to reverberate 
in the ears of all who survived the merciless fire. 

The roar of tlie cannon, the hissing of the shells, the rumbling growl of the 
musketry, the wild scream of the rockets, the whizzing of round shot, the 
sweeping blast of chain shot and the crash of grape formed a horrid concert. 

Then was seen the great advantage which the Americans possess in the 
skill with which they handle firearms, the rapidity with which they load, the ac- 
curac}^ of their calculation and the coolness of their aim, qualities developed by 
their frontier life and their habit of using arms from their boyhood. 

There were scarceh' more than fifteen hundred pieces brought to bear on 
the British column, but in the hands of Tennesseeans and Kentuckians the}- were 
made as effective as ten times the number fired by regulars of the best armies of 
Europe. Against this terrible fire, Gibbs boldl}' led his column. It is no re- 
flection upon those veterans to say that they halted, wavered and shrank at 



372 SO UTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

times when the crash of bullets became most terrible, when they were thus 
shot down by a foe whom they could not see. But the gallant peninsular officers 
threw themselves in front, inciting and arousing their men by every appeal, and 
b};- the most brilliant examples of courage. The men cried out, "Where are the 
Forty-fourth. If we get to the ditch we have no means of scaling the lines!" "Here 
come the Foi'ty-fourth ! here come the Forty-fourth !" shouted Gibbs. This assur- 
ance restored order and confidence in the ranks. There came at last a detachment 
of the Forty-fourth, with Pakenham himself at their head, rallying and inspiring 
them by appeals to their ancient fame — reminding them of the glory they had 
acquired in Egypt and elsewhere, and addressing them as his "countrymen" 
(the Forty-fourth were mostly Irish.) The men came up gallantly enough, 
bearing their ladders and fascines, but their colonel was far in the rear, being 
unable even with the assistance of a servant to reach his post over the rough 
field. 

Pakenham led them forward, and they were soon breasting the storm of 
bullets with the rest of the column. At this moment Pakenham's bridle arm 
was struck b}' a ball and his horse killed by another. He then mounted the 
small black pony of his aid, Capt. McDougall, and pressed forward. But the 
column had advanced now as far as it could get. Most of the regimental offi- 
cers were cut down. Patterson, of the Twenty-first, Brooks, of the Fourth, 
and Debbiege of the Forty-fourth, were all disabled at the heads of their regi- 
ments. There were not officers enough to command, and the column begap 
now to break in two detachments, some pushing foi^ward to the ditch, but the 
greater part falling back to the rear and to the swamp until the whole front was 
cleared. They were soon rallied at the ditch, were reformed, and, throwing 
off their knapsacks, advanced again. 

Keane, judging very rashly that the moment had arrived for him to act, 
now wheeled his line into column (it had been, as we have seen, intended as a 
reserve to threaten, without advancing upon the American lines), and, with the 
Ninety-third in front, pushed forward to act his part in the blood}' tragedy. 
The gallant and stalwart Highlanders, nine hundred strong, strode across the 
ensanguined field, with their heavy, solid, massive front of a hundred men, and 
their bright muskets glittering in the morning sun, which began now to scatter 
a few rays over the field of strife. Onward pressed the Tartan warriors, 
regardless of the concentrated fire of the batteries, which now poured their 
iron hail into their ranks at a more rapid pace than the other column, the 
Ninety-third rushed forward into the very maelstrom of Carroll's musketry, 
which swept the field as with a huge scythe. The gallant Daly fulfilled his 
prophecy, and fell at the head of his regiment, a grape shot passing through 
his body. Major Creagh then took the command. Incited by the example of 
the Ninety- third, the remnant of Gibbs' brigade again came up, with Pakenham 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 373 

on their left, Gibbs on their right. They had approached within a hundred 
yards of the hnes. 

At this moment the standard bearer of the Ninet3--third, feehng something 
rubbing against his epaulette, turned, and perceived through the smoke a small 
black, horse which Paker.ham now rode. It was led by his aid, as he seemed 
to have no use of his right arm; in his left hand he held his cap, which he waved 
in the air crying out: " Hurrah I brave Highlanders." At this instant there 
was a terrible crash, as if the contents of one of the big guns of the Americans 
had fallen on the spot, killing and wounding nearly all who were near. It was 
then the ensign of the Ninety-third saw the horse of Pakenham fall, and the 
General roll from the saddle into the arms of Capt. McDougall, who sprang 
forward to receive him. A grape shot had struck the General on the thigh and 
passed through his horse, killing the latter immediately. As Capt. McDougall and 
some of the men were raising the General, another ball struck liim in the groin 
which produced immediate paralysis. 

It is an interesting coincidence that Captain McDougall was the same of- 
ficer into whose arms General Ross had fallen from his horse in the advance on 
Baltimore. 

The wounded and d3Mng General was borne to the rear and laid down in 
the shade of a venerable live-oak, standing in the shelter of the field and be- 
yond the reach of the American guns. A surgeon was called, who pronounced 
his wound mortal. In a few minutes the gallant young officer breathed his last, 
and his faithful aid had to lament the death of another heroic chief, who, after 
winning laurels that entitled him to repose and glory enough for life, perished 
thus gloriously in a war of unjust invasion against his own race and kindred. 
The old oak under which Pakenham yielded up his soul still stands, bent and 
twisted by time and many tempests — a melancholy monument of that great dis- 
aster of the British arms. 

Gibbs fared even worse than Pakenham, for, desperately wounded shortly 
after the fall of the general-in-chief, he, too, was borne to the rear, and 
lingered many, man}- hours in horrible agony until the day after, when death 
came to his relief. Keane also fell badh' wounded, being shot through the 
neck, and was carried off the field. There were no more field officers to com- 
mand or rally the broken column. Major Wilkinson, brigade major, shouted 
to the men to follow, and pushed forward. 

Followed and aided by Lieutenant Lovack and twenty men, he succeeded in 
passing the ditch, and had clambered up the breastwork, when, just as he 
raised his head and shoulders over its summit, a dozen guns were brought to 
bear against him, and the exposed portions of his body were riddled with bul- 
lets. He had, however, strength to raise himself, and fell upon the parapet. 
Here his mutilated form was borne with every expression of pit}- and sympathy 



374 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

by the generous Kentuckians and Tennesseeans to a place of shelter in the rear 
of the camp. 

Here the gallant Briton received every attention which could be rendered 
to him. Major Smile}', of the Kentuckians, a kind-hearted gentleman, endeav- 
ored to cheer the spirits of the dying soldier, saying: " Bear up, my poor fel- 
low; you are too brave a man to die." " I thank you from my heart," faintly 
murmured the young officer. "It is all o\er with me. You can render me a 
favor; it is to communicate to my commander that I fell on your parapet, and 
died like a soldier and a true Englishman." In two hours the gallant Wilkinson 
was a corpse, and his body was respectfully covered with one of the colors of 
the volunteers. 

After the fall of Wilkinson the men who followed him threw themselves 
into the ditch, some made feeble efforts to climb up the parapet, but it was too 
slippery, and they rolled into the fosse. The majority, however, were satisfied 
to cower under the protection of the entrenchment, where they were allowed a 
momentar}' respite and shelter from the American fire. The remainder of the 
column, broken, disorganized and panic-stricken, retired in confusion and ter- 
ror, each regiment leaving two-thirds of its men dead or wounded on the field. 
The Ninety-third, which had advanced with nine hundred men and twenty-five 
officers, could muster but one hundred and thirty men and nine officers, who now 
stole rapidly from the bloody field, their bold courage all changed into wild 
dismay. The other regiments suffered in like manner, especially the Twenty- 
first, which had lost five hundred men. The fragments of the two gallant bri- 
gades fell back precipitately toward the rear. 

At this moment Lambert, hearing of the death of Pakenham and the severe 
wounds of Gibbs and Keane, advanced slowly and cautiously forward with the 
reserve. Just before he received his last wound Pakenham had ordered Sir John 
Tyndell, one of his staff, to order up the reserve. As the bugler was about to 
sound the "advance," by order of Sir John, his right arm was struck by a ball 
and his bugle fell to the ground. The order was, accordingly, never given, and 
the reserve only marched up to cover the retreat of the broken column of the 
two other brigades. 

Thus, in less than twent3--five minutes was the main attack of the British 
most disastrously repelled, and the two brigades nearly destroyed. On their 
left the}' had achieved a slight success, which threatened serious consequences 
to the American lines. Here the advance of Keane's brigade, consisting of the 
Ninety-fifth Rifles, the light infantry company of the Seventh, Ninety-third and 
Forty-third, and several companies of the West India regiments, in all nearly a 
thousand men, under the gallant and active officer. Colonel Rennie, of the 
Twenty-first, had crept up so suddenly on the Americans as to surprise their 
outpost and reach the redoubt about as soon as the advance guard of the Amer- 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 375-. 

icans, which was threatened by Gibbs' advance, had fallen back from their left 
and was now hurrying into their lines. The British were so close upon their re- 
tiring guard that the Americans were unable to open their batteries upon them, 
fearing that they would kill some of their own men. 

It was with difficulty that Humphre}' could keep his gunners from applying the 
match to his pieces that completel}- commanded the road down which the Ameri- 
cans, mingled with the pursuing British, were retiring. At last, reaching the redoubt, 
the Americans clambered over the embankment and the leading files of the Brit- 
isii following, succeeded in also gaining the interior, where, being supported by 
ctiiers, they engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with the soldiers of the infantry, 
whom they drove out into the lines, which were reached by a plank across the 
ditch, separating the redoubt from the main line. But thej- did not hold the re- 
doubt long, for now the Seventh Infantry began to direct the whole fire upon 
the interior of the redoubt, which very soon made it too hot for the British ; the 
detachment advanced in two columns, one on the road and the other filing 
along the river, under cover of the levee. The Seventh Infantry and Humph- 
rey's batteries poured into the column on the road a most destructive fire. 
Those on the river bank were protected by the levee from the fire of the bat- 
teries and troops in the lines, hut attracted the attention of the hawk-eyed Pat- 
terson on the right bank of the river, who gave them scattering volleys of grape,, 
whicli strewed the river bank with the dead and wounded. 

* 
* » 

Whilst this terrible slaughter was being enacted on the extreme right and 
left of the American lines, the center remained inactive. A few men on the right 
of Plauche's battalion fired without orders when the Seventh Infantry com- 
menced their fire, but they were quickly silenced by their officers, as the enem)^ 
were too far off and they only wasted their ammunition. From Plauche's, 
Daquin's and Lacoste's battalions and the Forty-fourth, at least eight hundred men, 
not a gun was fired save a few, which were discharged at an angle of 45 degrees 
in order that the bullets might fall into the ranks of the enemy, and a few scat- 
tering shots by the left company of the Forty-fourth, which, however, were 
instantl}' suppressed. The gallant volunteers chafed with impatience at the 
restraints to which they were thus subjected in being compelled to look on, idle 
spectators, of so glorious a conflict. They could with difficulty be prevented 
from stealing from their posts to the right or left, to have a shot at the captes 
rogues. If, however, they did not contribute to the predominant music of the 
conflict, the roar of the cannon and the rattling of musketry, they served to 
enliven and xa.vy the monotony of those sounds, and offered an additional 
stimulant to tlie courage and ardor of the men b}' the inspiring melody of their 
fine band. 

It is a rare circumstance in a battle, that martial music can be sustained 



376 SOUTHWEST LOUfSlANA: 

throughout the action. In the American army, such an occurrence was a 
phenomenon, never before observed in any battle. The moment the British 
came into view and their signal rocket pierced the sky with its fiery flame, the 
band of the battalion D'Orleans struck up " Yankee Doodle " — and thenceforth 
throughout the action it did not cease to discourse all the national and military 
airs in which it had been instructed. The British had not this incentive. Their 
musical instrument had never been taken from the box in which they were after- 
ward found by the Americans. They advanced with no blasts of trumpet, with 
no stirring roll of drums and lively notes of tlie piercing fife — with not even 
the monotonous martial screams of the bagpipe, arousing the pride and heroism 
of the Highlanders. A few buglers in the light infantry regiments contributed 
the onl}^ musical sounds to relieve, on their side, the awful din and tumult of tlie 
battle. 

Subtracting the center of Jackson's lines already enumerated, at least one 
half of Coffee's men, who never fired a gun, and a large number of Kentuckians, 
whose pieces were so defective as, according to the testimony of some persons, to 
place the Tennesseeans in more danger from their friends and supporters in the 
rear than from their enemies in front, there were actually less than hVlf of Jack- 
son's old force engaged in the battle. There is no instance in history where so 
small a force achieved so great a success. It is true the batteries contributed 
largetyto these results, but not to the extent that is generally estimated, as the 
heaviest of Jackson's guns were kept quite busy returning the fire of the two 
batteries which the British had thrown up on the night of the 7th, in the center 
of the field and near the road on the ruins of Chalmette's establishment, from 
which they maintained a continuous fire during and after the advance of the 
storming parties. Morris', Crawly's, You's and Bluche's batteries gave their 
particular attention to these batteries, and succeeded in silencing them shortly 
after the general retrogade movement of the British lines into the swamp on the 
extreme right. The British had thrown out a detachment of skirmishers under 
Lieut. Col. Jones, of the Fourth. They succeeded in getting quite near 
Coffee's men, but, becoming mired, were either killed or captured by the Ten- 
nesseeans, who astonished the Britons b};^ the squirrel-like agility with which 
they jumped from log to log, and their alligator-like facility of moving through 
the water, bushes and mud. Some of the prisoners taken in the swamp were 
of the West India Regiment, who were greatly comforted in their forlorn 
position by the idea that they were captives of men of their own color and blood, 
> deceived by the appearance of the Tenneseeans, who, from their constant 
■ exposure, their familiarity with gunpowder, and their long unacquaintance with 
ithe razor, or any other implement of the toilet, were certainly not fair representa- 
rtions of the pure Caucasian race. The unfortunate red-coated Africans soon 
discovered their error, when they were required by their facetious captors to 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 377 

"dance Juba" in the mud a foot deep. It was eight o'clock — two hours since 
the action commenced- — -before the musketry ceased firing. As long as there 
was a British soldier visible, though at a distance which rendered it quite futile 
to endeavor to reach him with musket or rifle, a cartridge would'be wasted in 
the vain attempt. At last the order was passed down the lines to "cease firing," 
and the men, panting with fatigue and excitement, rested on their arms. At 
this moment Jackson, who, during the whole aclion. had occupied a prominent 
position near the right of Plauche's battalion, where he could command a view 
of the whole entrenchment, now passed slowly down the lines, accompanied by 
his staff, halting about the center of each command, and addressing to its com- 
mander and the men words of praise and grateful commendation. His feeble 
body now stood erect and his face, relaxing its usual sternness, glowed with 
the fire of a proud victor in the noblest of all causes, the defence of his countr3''s 
flag, the protection of the lives, propertj' and honor of a free people, and as he 
passed, the band struck up "Hail, Columbia," and the whole line, now for the 
first lime facing to the rear, burst forth in loud and prolonged hurras to the 
chief, by whose indomitable heroism and energy they had been enabled to inflict 
so awful a punishment upon the enemy who had invaded their homes and sought 
to dishonor their flag. But these notes of exultation died away into sighs of pity 
and exclamations of horror and commiseration as soon as the ariillery^ 
which had kept up their fire at intervals, after the muskets ceased, being 
silenced, the smoke ascending from the field revealed a spectacle which 
sent a thrill of horror along that whole line of exultant victors. The 
briglit column and long red lines, a splendid arm}^ which occupied the field 
where it was last visible to the Americans, had disappeared as if by. some 
supernatural agency. Save the hundreds of miserable creatures who rolled 
over the field in agonj' or crawled and dragged their shattered limbs over the 
luuddy plains, not a living foe could be seen by the naked eye. The com- 
manders with their telescopes succeeded with some difficuly in discovering,, 
far in the rear, a faint red line, which indicated the position of General Lambert 
with his reserve, stationed in a ditch in what that officer designated in his 
dispatch, a supine position, meaning that the men after falling into the ditch, 
which covered them to the waist, leaned over on their faces and thus escaped 
the cannon balls of the Americans. These were the only live objects visible 
in tlie field, but with the dead, it was so thickh' strewn, that from the American 
ditch 3'ou could ha\'e walked a quarter of a mile to the front on the bodies 
of killed and disabled. The space in front of Carroll's position, for an- 
extent of two hundred yards, was literally covered with the slain. 
The center of the column could be distinctly traced in the broad red 
line of the victims of the terrible batteries and unerring guns of the Ameri- 
cans. They fell in their tracks; in some places whole platoons lay to- 



•378 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

gether as if killed by the same discharge. Dressed in tlieir gay uniforms, 
cleanly shaved, and attired for the promised victorj- and triumplial entry 
into the city, these stalwart men lay on the gory field, frightful examples 
of the horrors of war. Strangely indeed did they contrast with those ragged, 
unshorn, begrimed and untidy, strange-looking men, who, crowding the Amer- 
ican parapet, coolly surveyed and commented upon the terrible destruction they 
had caused. There was not a private among the slain whose aspect did not pre- 
sent more of the pomp and circumstance of war than any of the commanders 
of the victors. In the ditch there were not less than forty dead, and at least a 
hundred who were wounded, or who had thrown themselves into it for shelter. 
•On the edge of the woods there were many who, being slightly wounded, or 
unable to reach the rear, had concealed themselves under the brush and in the 
trees. It was pitiable, indeed, to see the writhing of the wounded and mutil- 
ated, and to hear their terrible cries for help, water, which arose from every quarter 
•of the plain. As this scene of death, desolation, bloodshed and suffering came 
into full view of the American lines a profound and melancholy silence pervaded 
the victorious army. No sounds of exultation or rejoicing were now heard. 
Pit)^ and sympathy had succeeded to the boisterous and savage feelings, which a 
-few minutes before had possessed their souls. They saw no longer the pre- 
sumptuous, daring and insolent invader, who had come four thousand miles to 
lay waste a peaceful country; they forgot their own suffering and losses, and the 
barbarian threats of the enemy, and now only perceived humanity, fellow creat- 
ures in their own form, reduced to the most helpless, miserable and pitiable of 
conditions of suffering. desolation and distress, Promptedby this motive, many of 
the Americans stole without leave from their positions, and with their canteens 
•proceeded to assuage the thirst and render other assistance to the wounded. The 
latter, and those who were captured in the ditch, were led into the lines, where 
■the wounded received prompt attention from Jackson's medical staff. Many of 
the Americans carried their disabled enemies into the camps on their backs, as 
;the pious .^^neas bore his feeble parent from burning Troy. Some of the British 
soldiers in the ditch, not understandmg the language of the freemen of color, 
who went to their assistance, but, thinking that their only object was to murder 
or rob, fired upon them. This, at least, is the only apology for conduct which 
was regarded as ver}^ atrocious, and produced considerable excitement in the 
American lines. 

The Americans thus killed and wounded were unarmed, and engaged in the 
duty of the Good Samaritan, attending the wounded and relieving the distressed. 
It has been charged that they were fired upon by order of the British officers, 
out of chagrin and mortification for the defeat. If this be true it is a pity that 
the names of such officers could not be known, that they might be separated 
ifrom those whose conduct throughout the campaign proved them to be honor- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 379 

able and gallant soldiers and high-toned gentlemen. In this manner several 
Americans were killed and wounded. Indeed more causalties occurred to the 
Americans after the battle than in the principal action. The British evidently 
mistook the humane purposes of the Americans, and even when there was no 
other alternative manifested a disposition to resist capture. One officer, who 
was slightly wounded, declined surrendering to one of the Tennesseeans, 
whose appearance was not very impressive, and disregarding his call was walk- 
ing off, when the Tennesseean, drawing a bead on him, cried out: " Halt, 
Mr. Redcoat; one more step and I'll drill a hole through your leather," where- 
upon the officer surrendered, exclaiming at the same time : "What a disgrace 
for a British officer to have to surrender to a chimney sweep." 

Of course there was a general desire among the Americans to procure 
some lawful troph}- — some memento of their great victory — and many of the 
men wandered over the field in pursuit thereof. They were quite successful in 
securing several such mementoes, among which were the field glasses of Paken- 
ham, and an elegant sword, believed to be Pakenham's, but which was after- 
ward claimed by Gen. Keane, and delivered to him by order of Jackson. 

Pakenham's glass was identified and remained in the possession of Colonel, 
afterward General, Garrique Flaujac, who commanded one of the batteries on 
the left. The trumpets of Gibbs and Keane were also picked up on the field, 
and became the property of Coffee's brigade. At least a thousand stand of 
arms were gatliered by the Americans from the scene of the slaughter. The 
prisoners and wounded being now collected within the lines, were placed in 
carts or formed into detachments to be sent up to the city. Ever\' attention 
was given to their relief and comfort. Many of the prisoners seemed not at all 
disheartened by their capture, but indeed gave manifestations of joy and satis- 
faction, especially the Irish, who declared that they did not know whither they 
were bound when they left the old country — that they never wanted to fight the 
Americans. "Why, then," asked some of the American guards, " did you march 
up so boldly to our lines in the face of such a fire?" "And faith, were we not 
obliged, with the officers behind, sticking and stabbing us with their swords?" 
There were unmistakable proofs of the truth of this remark on the bodies of 
many of the men, whose clothes and flesh were cut evidently with sharp instru- 
ments. 

Some distance in the rear of Jackson's lines the greater part of the adult popu- 
lation of New Orleans, not connected with the army, were gathered in anxious 
suspense observing the progress of the battle, and receiving with the most greedy 
zest and intense anxiety ever}- fact or rumor which passed from the front to the 
rear sentinels. For toward the swamp a number of boys, eager to see what was 
going on, climbed the trees, and thus commanded a distant but rather confused 
view of the battle. When the guns ceased firing, and after the terrible tumult 



380 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

of the battle, which could be distinctly heard far to the rear and even in the city, 
had settled into silence and quiet, only broken by the loud hurras of the Amer- 
icans, the anxious spectators and listeners in the rear, quickly comprehending the 
glorious result, caught up the sounds of exultation and echoed them along the 
banks of the river, until the glad tidings reaching the city sent a thrill of joy 
throughout its limits and brought the whole population into the streets to give 
full vent to their extravigant joy. The streets resounded with hurras. The only 
military force in the city, the veterans, under their indefatigable commander, 
the noble old patriot soldier, Captain DeBuys, hastily assembled and, with a drum 
and fife, paraded the streets amid the salutes and hurras of the people, the 
waving of snowy handkerchiefs of the ladies, and the boundless exultation and 
noisy joy of the juveniles. Every minute brought forth some new truth of the 
great and glorious victory. First, there came a messenger, whose horse had 
been severeH' taxed, who inquired for the residences of the physicians of the 
city, and dashed madl}' through the streets in pursuit of surgeons and apothe- 
caries. All of the profession, whether in practice or not, were requested to pro- 
ceed to the lines, as their services were needed immediately. "For whom?" 
was the question which agitated the bosom of many an anxious parent and de- 
voted wife, and for a moment clouded and checked the general hilarity. Soon, 
it was known, however, that this demand for surgeons was on account of the 
enemy. All who possessed any knowledge of the curative art, who could 
amputate or set a limb, or take up an artery, Imrried to the camp. Next there 
came up a message from the camp to dispatch all the carts and other vehicles to 
the lines. This order, too, was fully discussed and commented on hy the crowd 
which gathered on the streets and in all public resorts. But, like all Jackson's 
orders, it was also quickly executed. 

It was late in the day before the purpose of this order was clearly- per-, 
ceived, as a long and melancholy procession of these carts, followed by a crowd 
of men, was seen slowly and silently wending their way along the levee from 
the field of battle. They contained the British wounded; and those who fol- 
lowed in the rear were the prisoners in charge of a detachment of Carroll's 
men. Emulating the magnanimity of the army, the citizens pressed forward to 
tender their aid to their wounded enemies. Their hospitals being all crowded 
with their own sick and wounded, these vmtortunate victims of English ambi- 
tion were taken in charge by the citizens, and by private contributions were 
supplied with mattrasses and pillows, with a large quantity of lint and old linen, 
for dressing their wounds, all of which articles were then exceedingly scarce in 
the city. Those far-famed nurses, the quadroon women of New Orleans, whose 
services are so conspicuously useful when New Orleans is visited by pesti- 
lence, freely gave their kind attention to the wounded British, and worked at 
their bedsides night and day. Several of the officers who were grievously 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 381 

wounded, were taken to private residences of the citizens, and there provided 
with every comfort. Such acts as these ennoble humanity, and obscure even 
the horrors and excesses of war. 

From the city tlie news of Jackson's triumph flew rapidly tlirough the 
neighboring countr3^ It soon reached a gloomy detachment, which, under 
Jackson's orders, had been condemned to mortifying and disgusting inactivity at 
the little fort of St. John. Here, on the placid Pontchartrain, the roar of Jack- 
son's batteries on the morning of the Sth could be distinctly heard. It was 
known that this was the great attack — the last effort of the British. Their 
absence from the scene of such a great crisis was humiliating beyond all 
expression to the gallant men ot this detachment. One of them, an officer, the 
late venerable Nicholas Sinnott, a stalwart and determined veteran, who had 
wielded a pike at Vinegar Hill, bore this disappointment with ill grace and little 
philosophy. In the excitement of the moment, he could with difficulty be 
restrained from heading a detachment to proceed to the lines, and expressed his 
disgust in words which were not forgotten to tlie day of his death by his intimate 
friends and associates. " Oh ! there are the bloody villains, murdering mv coun- 
trymen, and myself stuck down in this infernal muddy hole." 

The general rejoicing and exultation in the American camp, and in tlie 
citv, which had been interrupted by the calls of humanity and pity excited by 
the disaster of tlie enem\-, were destined to receive another serious shock, and 
was suddenly changed into intense anxiet}^, as the news, which had been in 
possession of the commander in chief from an early hour, leaked out, that all 
had not gone well on the other bank of the river, and the British actually com- 
manded their lines and had advanced to the rear. It may be better imagmid 
than described, how profoundly the camp was agitated by this alarming intelli- 
gence. It was but too true. The British attack had been as successful on the 
right, as it had been disastrous on the left bank. Jackson might safely have 
said, as Napoleon, with far less truth, remarked, when he heard of the defeat of 
his fleet at Twifalgar — "I cannot be everj^where." There can belittle doubt 
that if he iiad commanded on the right bank, the only disgrace which sullied 
the glorjr of the campaign would have been avoided. 

We have seen how Morgan sent forward his advance, consisting of 
less than tliree hundred ill-armed and fatigued men, to occupy a line a 
mile in front of his own — a line stretching from the levee to the swamp — 
which could not have been manned by less than a thousand men and 
several pieces of artillery. Had even these three hundred men been sent 
to the point were the British landed, and stationed behind a landing, Thorn- 
ton's crowded boats could not have reached the river's bank. They would 
have enjoyed the advantages of daylight, for it was half past four when 
2-i 



382 .9 O UTH WEST L O UISIA NA : 

Thornton stepped ashore — a mile further down the stream than, the Forty-third 
calculated. His men were formed into columns just as the rockets, ascend- 
ing on the other bank, announced the commencement of the attack in that 
quarter. This landing had been effected without the slightest interruption. 
Covering his flank by three gun-boats, each bearing a carronade in the bows, 
under the command of Capt. Roberts, Thornton pushed rapidly forward up 
the road, until he reached Morgan's advanced position. Here, dividing his 
force, he moved a detachment of the Eight3'-fifth against Tessier's position, 
while, with the remainder of his regiment, he held the road against Davis. As 
Thornton advanced, Roberts opened his carronades on Davis' command. The 
detachment of the Eighty-fifth rushed on Tessier's party with great vigor and 
put them to flight, -at the firing of a few scattering shots. Tessier and his men 
being on the extreme right, and unable to reach the road before the British had 
occupied it, were compelled to fly into the swamps, where many of them suffered 
great distress, and were unable to reach the camp in the rear for many hours. 

Meantime, Thornton, pushing forward with his main body, consisting of the 
Eightj^-fifth, the sailors and marines soon put Davis' detachment to flight, 
closely following on their heels. The Kentuckians, being raw troops, did not 
of course, retreat in ver}' good order. As they fell back in great confusion on 
Morgan's lines, the general rode out, and meeting Col. Davis, directed him to 
form his men within his lines on the right of the Louisiana militia. Davis obeyed 
the order, but instead of the five hundred men Jackson had ordered across the 
river, there were but one hundred to cover lines of three or four hundred yards. 
They were stationed some distance apart, so as to present to the enemy rather 
the appearance of a line of sentinels than of a continuous body of troops, to de- 
fend a small ditch and rude parapet. Insignificant as these works were, if Mor- 
gan had received the necessar}^ reinforcements, he would have been able to 
maintain his position. Instead of six hundred, his real force, he would then 
have had nearly one thousand men and three pieces of artillery 

There was no lack of courage and determination on the part of Morgan and 
his command. They stood firmly at their posts and prepared to »epel the enemy 
with nerve and resolution. Thornton, as he gained the open field in front of Mor- 
gan's works, extended the files of the Eightj'-fifth so as to cover the whole field, 
and, with the sailors formed in columns on the road and the marines in reserve, 
advanced steadily on Morgan's lines. Lieutenant Colonel Gubbons commanded 
the Eighty-fifth, Major Adair the marines and Captain Money the seamen. The 
bugler sounded a shiill and animating charge, and amid a shower of rockets, un- 
der the direction of Major Mitchell of the artillery, the British tars rushed for- 
ward. They were received by a crashing discharge of grape from Phillibert's 
twelve-pounder, and two sixes under adjutant John Nixon of the First Louisiana 
Militia, and gunner James Hosmer, and John Botigue. The seamen recoiled 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 383 

from this fire. There was another and anotlier hre from the batteries, which 
killed and wounded several of the seamen. Among the wounded was their gallant 
commander, Captain Money, who had been distinguished in the operations in the 
Chesapeake, and in tlie attack on Washington City. He fell at the head of his 
men. At this the Americans began to hurrah and ply their pieces more briskly. 
But Thornton, seeing the hesitation and recoil of the seamen, rushed forward 
with the Eighty-fifth under a fire of musketry from Morgan's lines, and, despite 
a severe wound received by him in the advance, succeeded in obliquing the 
storming party toward the center of Morgan's line and strengthening it by a 
division of the Eighty-fifth under Captain Shaw, whilst two other divisions 
of the Eiglity-fifth advanced briskly against the center and extreme right 
of Davis' position. Thus Thornton, showing a skill and judgment superior to 
that which had been displayed on the left bank, occupied the whole front of the 
American lines, while Roberts opened upon the Fifty-third batteries of Morgan's 
extreme left with his caronades. As Thornton closed upon Davis' command, 
the Kentuckians, perceiving they were about to be hemmed in between the divi- 
sion of the enemy, one penetrating the center and the other the extreme right, 
fired one volley, and then, abandoning their position, began to fall back in great 
confusion toward the road in the rear. 

General Morgan made to the right, and called out to Colonel Davis to hold 
his men. Davis replied that it was impossible. "Sir," exclaimed Morgan, in an 
angrv' tone, "I have not seen you try," and then, turning to the fleeing Ken- 
tuckians, he shouted to them — "Halt, halt, men, and resume your position." At 
the same moment Adjutant Stephens, a brave Kentuckian who had been badly 
wounded, cried out "Shame, shame! Boys stand by your General." But the 
men were already panic-stricken and unnerved, and moved rapidly and disor- 
derly^ from the right toward the roads, Morgan following them on horse- 
back and endeavoring in every way he could to rally them. He succeeded 
in bringing back some of the fugitives, but a shower of rockets falling 
in their midst revived their alarm, and now they scattered, run- 
ning as fast as they could toward Morgan's left. Meantime 
the Louisiana militia kept up a brisk fire on the advancing British, discharging 
eight volleys with great effect. But, their right being now uncovered, the Brit- 
ish hastened to rush over the ditch, and, scaling the parapet, gained the inside 
of Morgan's line. The Louisiana troops being now in danger of being inter- 
cepted — their batteries having discharged their last cartridge, of which they had 
but twelve — they were compelled also to abandon their position, which they did 
in tolerable order and under fire of the enemy, after spiking their guns and 
tumbling them into the river. Patterson's battery on the levee, some three hun- 
dred yards in Morgan's rear, had been constructed to operate on the other bank 
of the river, and had been engaged since daylight in an incessant fire at the 



384 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Briiish in front of Jackson's position. Seeinfj that Morgan's line was forced, 
Patterson had wheeled his guns around so as to command the road, wlien, per- 
ceiving Davis' men running in wild disorder right upon a battery so as to cover 
the advance of the British, and General Morgan so vainly striving to 
rally them, the gallant commodore, greatly incensed at his country- 
men, cried out to the commander of a twelve-pounder, which liad been 

brought to bear in that direction, to fire his piece into the " d d cowards." 

The midshipman, a half-grown youth, raised the match to apply it to the piece, 
when the order was countermanded ; and the comomdore, perceiving that his bat- 
tery was unmasked and exposed, having recovered his calmness, directed the 
guns to be spiked and the powder thrown into the river. He then abandoned 
his position and retired by the road, walking with Mr. R. D. Shepherd, his 
volunteer aid, in the rear of his men, only thirty in number, and alternately 
denouncing the British and Kentuckians. Patterson was followed bj- the Louis- 
iana militia, who fell back in good order until they reached the Louisiana, which 
had been moved about three hundred yards behind Patterson's battery. The 
sailors being unable to get her off, the militia halted, and, by fastening a hawser 
and foreline, succeeded in having her tovved out into the stream beyond the reach 
of the enemy, who would have been too happy to destroy this great plague, 
which had so continuously harassed their camp. 

Finally the Louisiana militia rallied at Casselard's, and forming on Boisge- 
veau's Canal prepared to make a stand there, but the British never reached this 
position. After advancing in excellent spirits, with a full belief tliat all had 
gone well on the other side of the river they had barely reached Patterson's 
batter}^ when Col. Dickson of the artillery arrived direct from General Lambert, 
with the crushing intelligence of the terrible disasters which had crowned their 
efforts on the left bank. Previous to Dickson's arrival Thornton had been 
reinforced by several companies of sailors and marines, and he felt quite strong 
in his position, but Dickson now declared that it could not be maintained; and 
hurrying back to Lambert so reported, whereupon orders were transmitted to 
Tliornton to retire from his position, recross the river and join the main body. 
The execution of these various orders consumed the greater part of the day. 
Meantime Jackson, greatly concerned at the state of affairs produced b}' the 
events on the right bank, busied himself in reorganizing a force to throw across 
the river to Morgan's relief. That force was placed under the command of 
General Humbert, who, but for the unworthy jealousy of some militia officers 
toward a distinguished military hero of foreign origin, would no doubt have 
recovered the lost ground and wiped off the disgrace of Morgan's defeat. But 
the disinclination of the American militia to serve under Humbert, and their 
lack of zeal in preparing to execute his orders, produced a delay which was not 
less mortifying to the gallant Frenchman than unworthy of the Americans who 
displayed these petty feelings. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 385 

After the wounded in front of Jackson's line had all been brought into 
his camp, and provided wilh proper attendance, the men in Jackson's lines were 
ordered to resume their position, stand to their arms, and be ready to repel 
another attack. Jackson was not the man to be carried awa}^ by exultation and 
joy, so as to neglect the necessary precautions to secure his victory. Indeed, 
he was as prudent as heroic. 

About noon on the 8th, several Americans, who had advanced some dis- 
tance in front of the lines, announced the approach of a part}' from the British 
camp. It consisted of an officer in full uniform, a trumpeter and a soldier bear- 
ing a white flag. The three advanced on the levee to a position within three 
hundred yards of Jackson's lines, when the trumpeter blew a loud blast and 
the standard bearer waved the white flag. The whole army now gathered on 
the summit of the parapet, and looked on in anxious suspense and curiosity. 
Jackson ordered Major Butler and two other officers to proceed to the British 
party and receive any message it might bear. The officer courteously received 
Major Butler, and delivered to him a written communication, which that oflicer 
hastened to present to General Jackson, at his headquarters at Macarte's. 
The message contained a proposition for an armistice to bury the dead. It was 
signed " Lambert," without anj' title or designation of rank. General Jackson 
directed Major Butler to state to the officer bearing the message that he would 
be happy to treat with the commander-in-chief of the British army, but that the 
signer of the letter had forgotten to designate his authority and rank, which was 
necessary before any negotiations could be entered upon. General Lambert 
had erred in thinking that a militia general and Indian fighter might be imposed 
upon by so shallow a device, employed to conceal the fact of the death of the 
commander-in-chief. The delegation with the flag of truce returned to the 
British headquarters, and in half an hour appeared again before the American 
lines, with propositions now signed by "John Lambert, commander-in-chief of 
the British forces." 

The first proposition, as a basis for the armistice, offered by Jackson, 
embodied an admirably sagacious stroke of policy. It was on these terms: 
That although hostilities should cease on the left bank, where ^he dead lay 
unburied, until 12 o'clock on the 9th, yet it was not to be understood they should 
cease on the right bank; but that no reinforcement should be sent across till the 
expiration of that day. Such conditions produced the expected result: Lambert 
asked until 10 o'clock on the 9th to consider the proposition. In the meantime 
he sent orders to Thornton to retire. That officer covering the movement by an 
advance toward the American position, set fire to the several saw mills in his rear, 
and, after destroying the ammunition and stores which he had captured, retired 
in good order, his rear guard being, however, pressed by an advance part}- of 
Americans, upon which they kept up a running fire. It was dark before 



386 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA . 

Thornton succeeded in crossing the river. That night the Americans gained 
their lines on the right bank, and by early morn Patterson had placed his 
battery in a more advantageous position than it had previously occupied, 
announcing the gratifying fact to Jackson at daybreak by a discharge of sev- 
eral large pieces against British outposts. 

Disgraceful as the defeat on the left bank was, it is due to the Kentuckians 
who were the chief actors in the affair, to remind the reader of the hard usage 
to which they had been subjected and their long and fatiguing march during 
the dajf, and to their ill-armed condition. Whether these facts will be sufficient 
to acquit them of all blame, or to mitigate the censure freely bestowed on them 
for their conduct, are questions we feel no desire to discuss. It should not be 
forgotten, however, with what promptitude and self sacrificing patriotism these 
men had abandoned their distant homes and huiTied at an inclement season of 
the year to the defence of this remote settlement. It is hardlj' conceiveable that 
such men should be faithless to duty and honor, and the conclusion that their 
retreat was an unavoidable necessity is more reasonable as well as more con- 
sonant to the pride and feeling of Americans. The Americans achieved glory 
enough that day to bear with generosity the mortification inflicted by this event. 

To complete our narrative — not aggravate the shame of this disaster — it is 
necessary to state that Morgan had but one man killed and five wounded. The 
British loss was much more serious. The Eiglity-fifth had two killed and 
thirty-nine wounded, including their colonel, and the sailors and marines had 
four killed and forty-nine wounded, including Capt. Money. Several of the 
wounded died before the detachment recrossed the river. The dead were 
buried in the plain in front of Morgan's line. It was in this action the British 
acquired the trophy which is their sole reward of achievements on this day. It 
is a small flag, which now hangs amid the trophies of the Peninsular w-ar in 
White Hall, London, with this description: "Taken at the Battle of New 
Orlean.s, Januar}- 8, 1815." There is as much appropriateness in such a record 
as there would be in the French arraying in pubfica British regimental standard 
captured at Waterloo. 

General Lambert consented to Jackson's proposition, early on the morning 
of the 9th. A line was staked off about three hundred yards from the Ameri- 
can entrenchments, and detachments of soldiers marched from both camps, who 
were stationed from this line but a few feet apart, to carry out the object of the 
armistice — the burial of the dead. The dead bodies, which were strewn so 
thickly over the field, were then brought by tlie Americans to the lines, where 
the}^ were received b}^ the British and borne to a designated spot on Bienvenu's 
which had been marked off as the cemetery of "the Army of Louisiana." In 
carrying the dead the Americans used the clumsj' and unwieldy ladders intended 
by the British to be employed in scaling the American parapet. Many British 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 387 

officers assembled to witness the ceremony. It was to them one of deep morti- 
fication and sorrow. These feelings were increased by the presence of several 
American officers, whose r\.A\.\x<c'a\. sang froid was misinterpreted into untimely 
exultation. This misconception led the British officer from whom we have al- 
ready derived so much information into the following burst of feeling : 

"An American officer stood by smoking a cigar and apparently counting the 
slain, with a look of savage exultation, and repeating, over and over, to each 
individual that approached him that their loss amounted to eight men killed and 
fourteen wounded. I confess that when I beheld the scene I hung down mj- head, 
half in sorrow, half in ang(!r. Witli my officious informant I had every inclination 
to pick a quarrel; but he was on dut}', and an armistice existed, both of which 
forbade the measure. I could not, however, stand by and repress my choler; 
and since to give it vent would have subjected me to a more serious inconven- 
ience, I turned my horse's head and galloped back to the camp." The bearing 
'of General Lambert's secretary, Major H. C. Smith, of the Ninety-fifth Rifles, 
who met a soldier's death at Waterloo, was more manly and philosophic, if less 
honest and sincere. Entering into a conversation with Captain Maunsel White, 
a respected and honored planter and patriot, living on his magnificent estate 
(Deer Range) in the parish of Plaquemine, Major Smith coolly remarked, look- 
ing very calmly upon the scores of dead around him: "Oh! it is a mere skir- 
mish — a mere skirmish." "One more such skirmish," replied Captain White, 
••and devilish few of you will ever get back to tell the stor\'." 

The bodies of the officers were first delivered to the British. Those of 
Colonel Rennie, Major Whittaker, Captain Henly and Majors Williamson and 
King, being familiar to both officers and men, were received with sorrowful 
and tearful silence. They were chiefs and heroes in the army who left behind 
no superiors in that band of veterans, who had signalized their valor in many 
combats and were ever among the foremost in all most perilous enterprises. 
Rennie was particularly lamented, for throughout the operations on the Chesa- 
peake and in Louisiana he had proved to be the most efficient light artillery 
officer, next to Thornton, in the army. The dead officers were carried to head- 
quarters and such as had friends to attend to the sacred duties of securing them 
Christian burial were interred at night, in Vlllere's garden, by the light of 
torches, with appropriate religious ceremonies. Others were disemboweled and 
their bodies deposited in casks of rum, to be carried to England. Such was the 
disposition of the bodies of Pakenham and Gibbs, and we believe of Colonels 
Daly and Rennie. But the remainder of the dead, including hundreds of officers 
and men, were hastilj' and imperfectly buried in the rear of Bienvenu's planta- 
tion. The spot thus consecrated has never been invaded b}' the plow or spade, 
but it is regarded to this day with awe and respect by the superstitious Africans 
and is now occupied by a grove of stunted cypress, strikingly commemorative of 
the disasters of this ill-fated expedition. 



388 SO UTHWES T LO UISIA NA : 

In establishing the loss of the British in this disastrous affair, we are met by 
several contacting statements. Between these various estimates it is not, how- 
ever, difficult to form an approximate calculation, which will not fall far short of 
the reality. That estimate will show that the loss sustained in the attack on the 
left bank of the Mississippi was the severest ever sustained in any battle by the 
British army. Deducting the reserve, Lambert's, which was not under fire, the 
Fourteenth Dragoons who guarded the camp and hospital, 'and Thornton's com- 
mand, there could not have been more than six thousand men engaged in the 
attack on Jackson's line. Of those, according to the estimate of Colonel Hayne, 
who was designated by Johnson for this duty, there were at least twenty-si.x 
hundred placed /lors de combat, to-wit : killed seven hundred, wounded fourteen 
hundred, prisoners five hundred. The British reports do not vary essentially 
from this report, except in the statement of the killed, which, in the regular 
British returns, only embraced those who were killed on the field, and not those 
who died shorth' after being carried off. 

Closing Incidents of the Great Battle. — Our task is almost finished. The 
great battle has been fought, the dead have been buried, and gloom and silence 
have setded over the field now forever classic in American history. In sorrow, 
misery, shame and dejection the British have withdrawn further off from the 
scene of the most dismal disaster their arms had ever encountered. Every 
house within miles along the river is occupied with their wounded, and the la- 
bors of their surgeons incessant and herculean. But worse even than wounds, 
physical agony and sickness is that torment of " the mind diseased," for which 
there is no minister — the consciousness of defeat and disgrace that has entered 
the soul of those hitherto victorious veterans. These feelings alternately pros- 
trate the victims into a deep, silent gloom, or break out in fierce and fiery de- 
nunciation of those whom tlieir passions selected as the scapegoat, of their dis- 
grace. 

The poor Forty-Fourth came in for the chief share of the malediction. It 
had failed in its duty. It had not brought up the ladders and fascines. And 
even when the heroic Pakenham at last took the regiment out of the hands of its 
imbecile colonel, it had flinched. So great was this indignation that the other 
regiments would not associate with any officer or private wearing the uniform of 
the Forty-fourth. Was this just or honorable? That Colonel Mullens should 
have obeyed at all sacrifices the orders given to him, there can be no question; 
but this disobedience was not even a cause, much less a prominent one, of their 
defeat. The order was neither a just or wise one. To require a whole regi- 
ment to stack its arms and bear ladders for the rest of the command was unusual 
and inequitable. This duty ought to have been imposed upon detachments from 
the various corps, as the forlorn hope is organized. But of what avail would 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 389 

have been the prompt execution of this order? The ladders and fascines were 
not necessary to pass the paltry ditch and scale the insignificant parapet of the 
Americans. A robust man could have nearly leaped from the field to the mound 
behind which the Americans stood. 

The British must have imagined that they had walls to mount like those of 
Badajoz and St. Sebastian. Their great difficulty was to reach the ditch; they 
could never have used their ladders and fascines; if, instead of the Forty- 
fourth, every private in their army had borne them. They were shot down 
before reaching the ditch. The fascines and ladders only impeded and har- 
rassed them. With their heav}- knapsacks, these unwield}' articles only made 
them surer game for the Tennessee marksmen. Colonel Mullens and the Forty- 
fourth were not, therefore, the cause of their repulse; the true cause was the 
skilfulness of the American militia in the use of fire-arms ; such was the saga- 
cious conclusion of an eminent French soldier who visited the field many j^ears 
after. It was the Marshal Count Bertrand Clausel, the same who had com- 
manded the French division at Salamanca, which Pakenliam had routed. Settling 
in Mobile, Alabama, this distinguished soldier, who figured so conspicuously on 
so prominent an arena, who had commanded at Bordeaux during the hundred 
days and to whom the Duchess of Angouleme surrendered as prisoner; now, with 
the characteristic philosophy of Frenchmen, became an humble gardener, 
who furnished the market of Mobile with vegetables, driving his cart himself. 
Conceiving a desire to behold the field of the defeat and death of his old and 
victorious foe, he visited New Orleans in 1820, in company with the celebrated 
Count Desnoeltes, Napoleon's faithful companion in the retreat from Moscow, 
the same whom the Emperor selected on his affecting departure from Fontaine- 
bleau, as the dearest of all his friends. 

These gallant and distinguished Frenchmen, being escorted to the battle 
field of the 8th of January, 1815, by some of their countrymen who had partici- 
pated in that affair, were puzzled to know how such good soldiers as the Eng- 
lish could be repulsed by so weak a force from such trifling fortifications. 
"Oh!" exclaimed Marshal Clausel, after some moments of reflection, " I see 
how it all happened. When these Americans go into battle they forget that 
they are not hunting deer or sliooting turkeys, and they try to never throw 
away a shot." And there was the whole secret of the defeat which the British 
have ascribed to so many different causes. It is the agility with which the 
Americans wield every species of fire-arms, and the habit of cool, steady aim, 
which renders them so destructive in battles where they are not restrained or 
confused by any military manoeuvre or exigenc}'. 

It is no part of our design to give all the details of the events which fol- 
lowed the battle of the 8th ; nor shall we turn aside to engage in those unprofit- 
able discussions growing out of subsequent events, to which some writers and 



390 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA . 

politicians have assigned prominent places in the drama. They will be barely 
glanced at. 

The British were not left long to their gloomy reflections and bad pas- 
sions. The American batteries again resumed their task of incessanth' annoy- 
ing the hostile camp, firing at every knot of men that could be discerned in the 
British camp, and keeping their sentinels and outposts constantly on the guard, 
dodging and ducking as the balls flew round them. Prominent among those, 
who were most active and earnest in this annoj'ance to the British was Com- 
modore Patterson, who relieved himself of the disgust and indignation which 
had been created in his bosom by an uninterrupted fire at the British camp from 
a new battery he had thrown up in advance of Morgan's position. 

Save those regular and customary salutes of the British camp by the various 
batteries on both sides of the river, nothing of great interest occurred until the nth, 
when the curiosity of the Americans was aroused by the distant rumbling of artillery 
far down the river. It was soon understood that this was the expected attack 
on Fort St. Philip, a fortification on the left bank of the Mississippi, about eighty 
miles below the city and some thirty miles from the mouth of the river. The 
fort, which was a rude, irregular work, stood in the bend of the river so as to 
have a long sweep above and below it. It was surrounded by an impenetrable 
morass, and on the lower side by the Bayou Mardi Gras. There were twent}-- 
nine guns mounted in the fort, of which there were two thirty-twos established 
in the curtain of the fort, on a level with the river. The others were twenty- 
fours, one thirteen-inch mortar, and several hovvitzers. The fort had been 
in preparation some months before Jackson visited it in December, perceiving 
its vast importance and great strength, he gave orders to have certain addi- 
tions made to it. Several detachments of troops were sent down to reinforce 
the garrison. 

A number of negroes were employed to bring in timber and perform other 
work necessary to the solidity and strength of the fort. Among other sagacious 
preparations, the magazine was completely disguised, and several smaller ones 
estabUshed in various places. The garrison consisted of two companies of 
United States artillerv, one hundred and seventeen, under Captains Wolstoncraft, 
Murray and Walsh ; two companies of the Seventh Infantry, one hundred and 
sixty-three, under Captains Brontin and Waide; Lagan's Louisiana Volunteers, 
fift3'-four; and Listeau'sfree men of color, thirty ; in aU three hundred and six- 
• ty-six. To those are to be added the crew of the gun-boat. No. 8, which had 
been hauled into the bayou. The whole force made four hundred and six effec- 
tive men, under that stanch and able officer, Major Overton, of the rifle corps. 
Below, a guard was estabhshed, to watch and announce the approach of the 
enemy. 

It manifests a palpable want of combination and military skill in the British 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 391 

general that their plan of advance upon the city was not so arranged as to se- 
cure possession of the river before their land troops occupied its banks. It 
ought to have occurred to them that their flank would be exposed in case that 
the Americans had command of the river, as they must necessarily have vessels 
which could be easily converted into floating batteries to harass and impede, if 
not to arrest, their advance. This error was brought home to them very pain- 
fully by the sudden and destructive volley of fire into their camp, on the night of 
the 23d, by the Carolina. Whether orders had been issued to the vessels, 
which undertook to ascend the river to cooperate with the army, or they 
were proceeding on their own account, we are unable to say. But it is certainly 
true that these vessels did not appear off the Balize, where the British had pre^ 
viously established themselves, until the 8th, and did not come within sight of the 
obstacle to their progress up the stream until nobn of the 9th. Overton's guard 
boat hastened to announce the arrival to the fort. The vessels consisted of 
two bomb-ships, the Herald, sloop of war, the Sophia, a brig, and a tender. 
Small as this squadron was, had it arrived at Pakenham's camp and in time to 
cooperate in the attack on Jackson's line, or even had it arrived after that event 
and before the evacuation by the British, the consequences might have been 
very serious to the American arms. But they were not destined to surmount so 
easily the obstacle then in their path. Overton prepared to give them a warm 
reception. 

Cunningham, of the gun-boat, with his sailors, took command of the 
Thirty-second: Walsh commanded the right position, Wolstoncroft the center, 
and Murray the left. The infantry under Brontin stood in the rear of the curtain 
to support the batteries, and act as occasion might require. 

At three r. 3i. the bomb-vessels, approaching within a mile and a half of the 
fort, as if to sound the left battery, opened on them; the}' then retired beyond 
the range of the fort's guns, and, anchoring behind a point of land three thousand 
seven hundred and sixty yards from the fort, turned broadside toward it, and 
running up their flags commenced the action. Their first shell fell short. The 
next went over the fort, and the other which followed fell into the soft earth, 
bursting so deep in the ground as to create only a tremulous motion. 

The vessels-remained some distance below the bombs. The bomb-ships 
threw their shells all night — one shell every two minutes — at the fort, but with- 
out effect. At night they reconnoitered in small boats, and came so near that 
their men could be heard talking. The wind was then blowing up the river. The 
garrison were too intent upon the vessels to have noticed these boats. During 
the loth and nth the bombardment was continued, the fort firing a few 
shots to keep up the spirits of the men, but without effect. On the nth the 
flag staff was struck by several fragments of shell and the flag was nailed to the 
halyards; another shell severed them and down it came. An hour was consumed 



392 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

in restoring the flag, which was gallantly done by a sailor, over whose head sev- 
eral shells burst while sitting on the cross-tree making fast the flag. The con- 
tractor's house was mistaken for the magazine and struck, killing one man and 
wounding another. On the I2th, 13th and 14th the firing was kept up inces- 
santlv, many shells bursting over the fort, killing one man and wounding several 
others, and damaging one of the thirty-seconds. The men in the fort were 
busily employed and much exposed in repairing these damages and strengthen- 
ing the fort. In the meantime heavy rains fell daily, and the interior of tlie fort 
was a sheet of water, and the men were constanth' wet and almost frozen. 

On the 13th, having received shells and ammunition from New Orleans, the 
fort opened its fire and threw several shells over the bomb-ship. One of these 
took effect and created much confusion on board. But on the 17th they began 
firing on the fort \vith more accuracy and lodged several shells in the parapet, 
one of which burst in passing through the ditch into the angle of the center of 
the basin. This was their farewell shot. The next day at early dawn their 
ships were observed descending the river with all sail set. The garrison gave 
three cheers and fired a volley as a salute to their foiled, mortified foe. This 
bombardment had been incessant from the 9th to the i8th of January, during 
which they fired one thousand shells, being seventy tons of iron and twenty 
thousand pounds of gunpowder, besides small shells. At least a hundred shells 
fell within the fort, damaging and battering the shops and stores and tearing 
up the earth within and many j^ards around the fort. 

Here was another able and decisive repulse of the British, which constitu- 
ted an important link in the defence of the city and reflected the highest credit 
upon the garrison and its gallant commander, who, as General Overton, long re- 
sided in the northwestern part of Louisiana, one of its most esteemed and hon- 
ored citizens. There were other detached operations, which were attended by 
like success. 

Purser Shields, of the navy, a well known citizen of New Orleans, and Dr. 
Morrell, an esteemed physician, headed a brilliant little affair against the British 
lines of communication on the lake. It will be remembered that these gentle- 
men had been sent, after the battle of the gun-boats, to the succor of the 
American wounded who were captured on the occasion. Arriving at the time 
the British were preparing to land their troops, the vice admiral, Cochrane, 
thought proper to detain them until the armj- had executed the design in which 
it was then engaged. 

These gentlemen protested that they had come under a flag of truce, and that 
their detention was a breach of the rules of war, but it was in vain. Finally, 
when the British had been repulsed, they were released on January 12, and 
.arrived in the American camp. During their detention by the British, those 
gentlemen were very badly treated ; their flag was not respected ; they were 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 393 

robbed of their clothes and other property ; they were not permitted to see their 
wounded countrymen; and the sailors of the boat that brought them to the fleet, 
were compelled to work on the British boats. Such conduct was characteristic 
of Vice Admiral Cochrane, who was a rough, brutal and overbearing officer. It 
may well be conceived that high-spirited gentlemen, like Mr. Shields and Dr. 
Morrell, did not bear ver}- patiently the remembrance, of the indignities 
to which they had been subjected in the British fleet. Hence, on their arrival 
in Jackson's camp, they busied themselves in getting up an expedition by which 
they miirht obtain some little satisfaction for their injuries and some compensa- 
tion for tlieir exclusion from the honors and glories of the defence of the city. 
Organizing a little band of volunteers, they proceeded with four boats, one 
having a carronade in its bows, out of the Bayou St. John into the lake, and 
tlience to the fort and encampment at Petites Coquilles. Here, being reinforced 
by two other boats, they glided stealthily along the shoals of Lake Borgne, to- 
ward the Rigolets, in pursuit of any stray boats of the enemy. On the aotb 
they perceived a large barge, full of soldiers, on its way from the Bayou Bien- 
venu, and immediately the boats commenced pursuit. The carronade being 
brought to bear on the barge, she quickh' surrendered, the men on board 
throwing their arms into the lake. It proved to be a British barge, having on 
board thirty-seven British soldiers of the Fourteenth Dragoons, under Lieut. 
Brydges and Cornet Hammond, who were on their way to the British squadron. 
These prisoners were placed in charge of five armed men, and were con- 
ducted to the American camp at Chef Menteur. Shields and Morrell then 
made another sortie and captured several boats, a schooner and sixt3--three 
prisoners, but, owing to a vvind and high currents, their boats became separated 
and the schooner unmanageble, and their prisoners refractory. So they con- 
cluded to set fire to the schooner. The fire having attracted the notice of the 
British boats, several of them approached her. Shields and Morrell landed 
near the mouth of the Rigolets. The British attempted to cut them off by 
landing a party above them, but Morrell, with a party of twenty men, having 
approached, suddenly opened upon them from the high reeds, and after three 
volleys caused them to leave in haste, finally, the party being in great danger 
of capture from the British boats, which several times attacked them, but were 
beaten off. Dr. Morrell, was sent over to Petites Coquilles for reinforcements. 
Shields, left alone with the prisoners and a small guard, seeing a gun-boat in 
the distance bearing up toward him, concluded that he would retire, and so,, 
discharging his prisoners on parole, hurried to meet Morrell and Newman, who 
were preparing to join him with a reinforcment at Petites Coquilles, where he 
arrived safely with twenty-two prisoners. The results of this brilliant little 
enterprise shows how much the British could have been annoyed if our gun- 
boats could have got under the fort of Petites Coquilles, on the 14th ol 



394 SO UTH WES T LO UISIANA : 

December. There were other exploits performed by detached parties. 
The glory and splendor, which many less brilliant campaigns would have 
secured to those participating in them, are lost in the superior radiance 
■of those greater events that have rendered the defence of New Orleans, in 
1814-15, the most complete and brilliant campaign in modern historj". 

On the 17th of January a cartel for the exchange of prisoners having been 
agreed upon, the i8th was fixed for the pleasing ceremony of receiving some of 
the best citizens of New Orleans, whose long detention in the British fleet had 
produced much anxiety among their friends. The ceremony was a joyous 
and exciting one; a detachment of Plauche's battalion and the whole of Beale's 
Rifles were formed in column, and, preceded by the splendid brass band of the 
volunteers, marched, under Capt. Roche, to the line indicated near the British 
outposts, where they were formed as if for review. Presently the American 
prisoners were escorted by a detachment of the British Ninety-fifth Rifles, and 
the officers in command, saluting Captain Roche, delivered to him a roll of the 
prisoners, which, being called out, all answered to their names. Roche then 
called out, "Forward, Americans! " and the whole line advanced down the line 
of the battalion under a salute. Open column was then formed, and the ex- 
prisoners, being placed in front, the procession moved toward the American 
lines, the band playing a lively air. As they approached the lines there was a 
simultaneous shout of joy from the whole American army, and when they got 
within the entrenchment, there were hundreds of personal friends who rushed 
forward to embrace and welcome them. Most of these ex-prisone"rs were lead- 
ing gentlemen of the city, who had been captured on the night of the 23d. 
Jackson sent for them, and on their arrival at headquarters congratulated and 
complimented them in very warm terms. 

Though it had been a source of great gratification to these gallant men to be 
absent from the army during its great trial, their detention in the fleet had been 
rendered quite tolerable, if not pleasant, bj- the kindly and courteous conduct 
of the British naval commander of the Royal Oak, on which ship most of the 
prisoners had been detained, and by other naval officers. We pass over many 
minor incidents of the campaign, in order to approach the great event which re- 
lieved Louisiana of the presence of the foe that had so long desecrated her soil 
and threatened her honor and safety. 

After the battle of the 8th, Lambert was not long in arriving at the con- 
clusion that the expedition had signally failed, and all that was left to him was 
to collect the fi-agments of the army and return as speedily as possible from the 
scene of so manj- sad disasters and painful associations. With this view he 
proceeded with great prudence and caution in making the necessar}- arrange- 
ments for the withdrawal of the army. As scores of his men were dail}- 
deserting, he had reason to apprehend that his watchful foe would harass iiis 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 395 

retreat and omit no opportunity to inflict further injury upon him. To retire as 
they had come, in boats, was impracticable. There were not boats enough, 
and it would not be safe to divide the army in the presence of an army embold- 
ened by recent victories. To meet this exigency, lie directed the engineers to 
extend the road, which ran for some distance along the bayou, through the 
swamp to the lake shore, keeping as . near as possible to the bank of the 
bayou. 

This was a very severe and difficult task, which occupied the engineers and 
strong working parties for nine days. It was finally completed, and an appar- 
entl}' good road was made along the baj^ou, crossing it by bridges of boats from 
the right to the left bank, until it reached an elbow of the bayou, when the road 
took a direct course through the prairie, until it terminated on the lake shore, 
near the Fisherman's village. This road was made of weeds, made up into 
bundles and stamped down. But for the continued rains it would have been a 
very good way. At the confluence of Bienvenu and Jumonville, and of the 
former with Mazant, small works were thrown up to recover the retirement of 
the army. Having completed this road, the whole of the wounded, except those 
which could not be removed, were placed in boats, then all the civil officers, 
the contractors, surveyors, etc., together with all the field artillery, stores, etc., 
followed, and were dispatched to the fleet. The large ship guns were spiked, 
their cordages broken and then left on the field. 

And now all that were left were the infantry. Having relieved himself of 
all his encumbrances, Lambert prepared, on the night of the i8th, to steal off 
with his army. Accordingly, the whole army was silently and stealthily formed 
in column ; the engineer, sappers and miners in front. The camp fires were 
lighted anew; the pickets were all stationed as usual; each sentinel was pre- 
pared with a paddy to place in his stead ; the pickets were directed to form, as 
the column reached the bayou, into a rearguard, and follow the army. Thus, 
while darkness covered the field, the army took up its line of march in silence 
and dread ; not a cough or sneeze could be heard in the whole column, and even 
their steps were so planted as to create no sound. Thus they proceeded for 
some distance along the bayou in a pretty good road; but when they began to 
diverge from the banks into the swamp, the continual tramping made the road 
very bad, and the rear of the column had to march up to their knees in mud, 
with no other light but the faint twinkle of the stars. This fine army, which 
but a few weeks ago had advanced along the same road so full of pride and 
hope, now stealthily slunk through the dark, damp swamp, full of alarm, shiver- 
ing with cold, and depressed \)j defeat, hunger and exposure. They marched 
all night, and just as the break of day began to relieve the surrounding darkness 
by a faint glimmer of light, they reached the desolate shores of Lake Borgne, 
and drew up on its banks exposed to a keen western wind that came across the 



396 SOUTH WES T LO UISIA NA : 

broad surface of the lake. Nor did their arrival here improve the spirits or 
prospects of the men. They were now sixty miles from the fleet; suppose, from 
high winds or other causes, the boats should not arrive. They might starve 
there for want of provisions, or die from cold, for there was no fuel but the dry 
weeds, that burnt up like tinder. 

Here the army remained in this desolate situation until the 29th, when the 
whole reembarked and finally reached the fleet, with a few casualties and after 
much suffering and distress. This retreat was the ablest feature of the cam- 
paign, and reflected great credit upon the commander of the British and the dis- 
cipline of the army. „ 

» * 

Sir Edward Pakenham. — A sketch of this ill-fated Englishman, whose 
hitherto brilliant life went out on the field of Chalmette, must be of interest in 
every description written of the famous battle of January 8, 1815, and is, there- 
fore, given as a conclusion to this article. 

The British army destined to capture New Orleans had been landed below 
tlie cit\-, under command of Gen. Keane, then quite a 30ung officer. He had 
been sent to America second to Gen. Ross, whose disgraceful and barbarous 
mode of warfare a short time previous, on the Atlantic border and at Wiishing- 
ton and Baltimore, had cost him his life. This clearly evinced that it was not 
the intention of the British Cabinet to entrust Keane with so important an enter- 
prise. Some greater personage was hourly expected, and there, on the bleak 
and cheerless plain, the army would be detained until he arrived to lead them 
into the city. It would be fortunate for the military reputation of Gen. Keane 
if this suggestion of his friends were founded on fact. It would relieve him of 
a heavy load of censure, which has always attached to his military character 
from the apparent want of decision, promptitude and military sagacity displayed 
in his failure to advance, on his arrival on the banks of the Mississippi, and in 
his inactivity after the battle of the 23d. These blunders were felt, acknowledged 
and discussed by every soldier in tlie English camp, and, though excused and 
palliated by the patriots alluded to, they produced a want of confidence in the 
General and a desire for some more experienced and renowned chief to lead 
them. 

Such a chief appeared in the British camp quite suddenly on the morning 
of that glorious Christmas, and by his presence communicated relief, hope and 
even vivacity to the dejected spirits of the army. This personage was no other 
than the Honorable Sir Edward M. Pakenham, Lieutenant General and Colonel 
of the Seventh Foot (Royal Fusiliers), the brother-in-law of Wellington and 
one of his most trusted commanders and bravest officers in the Peninsular cam- 
paigns. He was a son of the Earl of Longford, of the county Antrim, Ireland. 
The family had always been noted for military ardor and heroism, and had con-. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 397 

tributed several distinguished and able commanders to both the army and the 
navy of Great Britain. * * * * 

Pakenham did not owe his advancement to the influence of family and 
friends. He had fought his way up, round by round, and marked each grade 
with some honorable wound, so that ere he had reached the meridian of life 
and of military advancement his body was scrolled over with such insignia of 
gallantry and good conduct. Few officers had encountered more perils and 
hardships, suffered from more wounds. Entering the army as lieutenant of the 
Twenty-third Light Dragoons, he soon rose to the rank of major. In the storm- 
ing of the fort on the island of St. Lucie, West Indies, in 1896, Major Paken- 
ham volunteered to lead the attacking columns. The charge was a brilliant and 
successful one, but the }'Oung leader was badly wounded, receiving a wound 
through the neck. In the same neighborhood, in the expedition to Martinique, 
in 1806, having been promoted to the command of that renowned regiment, the 
Seventh Fusiliers, he was again badly wounded at the head of the Fusiliers. 
During the Peninsular war he was in constant service by the side of Wellington 
and General Picton. Toward the close of the war he was appointed Adjutant 
General at the request of Wellington. Througliout the army of the Peninsula 
he was admired and beloved by both officers and men. Space will not admit 
of a record of all the brilliant actions in which Pakenham participated, but a 
few of the principal incidents in his career may not be uninteresting to those 
who have been accustomed to regard him with hostility and prejudice as the 
leader of an expedition which was neither honorable in its design nor glorious 
in its conclusion. 

The brilliant courage of Sir Edward Pakenham was never more conspicu- 
ously displax'ed than in the horrible and bloody night attack of the British on the 
strongly defended walls and fort of Badajos. On that occasion, the storming 
party was for some time mowed down in merciless severity before an}' one of the 
soldiers could reach the walls. At last a few scattered men, who had escaped, suc- 
ceeded in planting their ladders against the walls. As fast as the men mounted 
these ladders they would be shot down by the French soldiers on the parapet. In 
some cases the ladders broke, and many of the British soldiers were precipitated 
below and impaled upon the bayonets of their companions. Pakenham was the 
second man to mount one of the ladders, being preceded by a gallant High- 
lander, Lieutenant McPherscn, of the Forty-fifth. Both arrived unharmed 
within a few rounds of the top, when McPherson discovered that the ladder 
was about three feet too short.. Still undaunted, the gallant young man called 
loudly to those below to raise the ladders more perpendicular. While he with 
great exertion pushed it from the fall at the top, the men with a loud cheer 
brought it quickly nearer to the base. This was so suddenly done that McPherson 
was on a level with the rampart before he could prepare for defence. He saw 



398 SO UTHWEST L O LIS I ANA : 

a French soldier deliberately point his musket against his body, and, without 
power to strike it aside, he had to receive the fire. The ball struck one of the 
Spanish silver buttons on his waistcoat, which it broke in half. This changed 
its direction and caused it to glance off, not, however, before it had broken two 
ribs, the fractured part of one being pressed in on his lungs so as to almost stop 
respiration. Still he did not fall, but continued to hold on by the upper round 
of the ladder, conceiving that he was wounded, but ignorant to what extent. 
He could not, however, advance. Pakenham strove to pass him, but in the 
effort was also badly wounded, a French soldier firing a musket into his body 
at a distance of tliree or four feet. Almost at the same time the ladder cracked 
beneath them. Destruction seemed inevitable. Before them on the ramparts 
stood a line of French soldiers presenting their muskets ; beneath, their own 
friends, crowded together, formed a chevaux defrise of bayonets. Even at such 
a perilous and awful moment, the presence of mind of these brave men did not 
desert them. Pakenham, grasping the hand of the wounded McPherson, 
said, " God bless j'ou, my dear fellow, we shall meet again."' They did meet 
again, but not as Pakenham meant, for they marvelously escaped, and, recover- 
ing from their wounds, were enabled to perform many acts of conspicuous gal- 
lantry in the events which followed. 

The command of the old "fighting third," the division of Wellington's army 
so famous for its bearing under the lead of Picton, owing to the sickness 
of the chief, devolved upon Packham on the eve of the battle of Sala- 
manca. When Picton heard who was to command his division, he observed, 
"I am glad he is to lead my brave fellows; the}'^ will have plenty of their favorite 
sport." In this battle Wellington opened the fight by riding up to Pakenham at 
the head of the third division, ordering him to move forward, take the heights in 
front and drive everything before him. "Give me one grasp of that all-conquer- 
ing hand," exclaimed the enthusiastic Pakenham, who entertained for his chief 
a most chivalric and ardent attachment, "and I will." How he i^edeemed this 
pledge is thus vigorously and graphically described by Alison: "It was five 
o'clock, when Pakenham' fell on Thormiere, who, so far from being prepared 
for such an onset, had just reached an open hill, the last of the ridge over which 
he had extended, from which he expected to see the allied army in full retreat 
to Ciudad Rodrigo and, closely pursued by Marmon, defiling in the valley 
before him. To effect a change of front, under such circumstances, was 
impossible. All that could be done was to resist instantly, as they stood. 
The British columns formed into line as they marched, so that the 
moment they came in sight of the enem}', they were ready to charge. In 
an instant the French gunners were at their pieces, and a cloud of light 
troops hastened to the front and endeavored by a rapid fire to evade the 
formation of the troops behind. Vain attempt; right onward through 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 399 

the storms of bullets did the British, led by the heroic Pakenhnm, advance; 
he light troops are dispersed before them, like chaff before the wind; the half- 
formed lines are broken into fragments; Durbon's Portuguese cavalrv, supported 
by Howey's English Dragoons and Arenschild's German horse, turned their 
tright flank, scrambled up the steep sides of a bush-fringed stream, which flowed 
behind the ridge, yet not at first in confusion, but skilfully, like gallant veterans, 
seizing every successive wood and hill which offered the means of arresting the 
enemy. Gradually, however, the reflux and pressing together of so large a 
body, by enemies at once in front and in flank, threw their array into confusion; 
these were routed and driven among the fort. Thormiere himself was 
killed whilst striving to stem the torrent; the allied cavalry broke like a flood 
into the opening of the infantry, and his whole division was thrown back, and 
entirely routed on Clausel's, which was hurrying up to its aid, with the loss of 
three thousand prisoners." Of this brilliant action, Pakenham was emphati- 
cally the hero, and for his reward on this occasion was knighted. 

Nor was Sir Edward Pakenham less distinguished for his honor, chivalry, 
and humanity than for his courage and daring. As his name has been associated 
with the imputed design of sacking New Orleans and perpetrating upon its peace- 
able population the most brutal and infamous excesses, which design was em- 
bodied in the alleged war cry of the British army — "beauty and booty" — a cry 
not inconsistent with the character which a portion of the army had acquired on 
the shores of the Chesapeake, and in the Peninsular war, we take pleasure in 
referring to the antecedents of Pakenham to refute all presumption that he was 
cognizant of, or would have given the slightest sanction to, such disgraceful pur- 
poses. How he would have acted toward any of his command who might have 
been implicated in such outrages may be inferred from his conduct in Spain, 
when, entering a town in which certain French citizens had been outraged by 
some British soldiers, he caused the latter to be hung on the spot, "thereby," 
says Napier, "nipping the wickedness in the bud, but athis own risk, for legally 
he had not the power." Napier has thought proper to add, with the commend- 
able feeling of a soldier defending a brother in arms: "This general whose gen- 
erosity, humanity and chivalric spirit excited the admiration of every honorable 
person who approached him, has been foully traduced by American writers. He 
who was preeminently distinguished for his detestation of inhumanity' and out- 
rage has been, with astounding falsehood, represented as instigating his troops 
to the most infamous excesses." 

Napier evidently is, in assuming for the commander a charge against many 
of his subordinates, who, as may be proved by documents now e.xtant, freely 
declared the predatory purposes of the expedition. Besides, the circumstances 
of the enterprise, undertaken as it was whilst the commissioners of both nations 
were engaged in negotiation to establish peace between the two countries on a 



400 6' O UTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

permanent and satisfactory basis, will ever give it a questionable character and 
lead all impartial persons to believe that its main purpose was truly the ap- 
propriation of the fifteen millions of tlie produce of the peaceful industry of the 
country, to the enrichment of rude soldiers whose lives had been devoted to the 
destruction rather than to the increase of the wealth of the world. Gallant, 
generous and high-minded as he personally was, Packenham's name and fame 
can not be considered as entirely free from the reproach which must have 
been attributed to all those who were associated in an expedition prompted by 
such motives. Certainly Sir William Napier would not deny what the pages of 
his now incomparable history so abundantly proves, that the British soldiers 
were not only capable of, but prone to, the excesses which it has so often been 
charged were to follow the capture of New Orleans. Frequently, in the 
towns in the Penisula, the Spaniards found better protection from their enemies, 
the French, than from their allies, the British soldiers. The actors in the 
scenes at Cumberland Island, at Hampton, Alexandria and Washington City: 
the incendiaries of libraries, of printing presses, of private property of every de- 
scription ; the mutilators of public monuments, conld hardly complain if sus- 
pected of too strong an appetite for the rich booty which was heaped up in the 
great depot of the valley of the Mississippi. 

This charge against the originators and projectors of the expedition to New 
Orleans, as one for plunder and spoil, is too well established now to be ques- 
tioned. British testimony alone is sufficient to prove the truth of these allega- 
tions. This may not be an inappropriate place to quote a few authorities from 
that source. Major Cook, of the British Forty-third, who was engaged in the 
expedition to New Orleans, and has written a lively work on this campaign, 
which has been well received in England, says: "Notwithstanding all these 
natural drawbacks the city of New Orleans with its valuable booty of mer- 
chandise was craved by the British, and they planned to grasp the prize by a 
coii-p de main." In another place he remarks; " The warehouses of the city 
were amply stored with cotton to avast amount, and also sugar, molasses, tobacco 
and other products of this prolific soil. 

The author of the campaigns of the British at Washington, Baltimore and 
New Orleans says: "And it appears that instead of a trifling affair, more likely 
to fill our pockets than to add to our renown, we had embarked in an under- 
taking which presented difficulties not to be surmounted without patience and 
determination." 

A letter from Colonel Malcom, at Cumberland Island, to his brother the 
Rear Admiral in the fleet, under Cochrane, which was intercepted by an Ameri- 
can cruiser, expressing the hope that the writer would soon hear of the capture 
of New Orleans, adds: "It will repay the troops for all their trouble and fatigue." 
Mr. Glover, a British employe, in a letter found in the same package, to Capt. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 401 

Westphall, mingles prescience and avarice in the following apprehension: "My 
forebodings will not allow me to anticipate either honor or profit to the expedi- 
tion." 

History, however, must acquit Sir Edward Pakenham of any motives or 
design of plunder or brutality in accepting this command. It was, doubtless, in 
the discharge of what he deemed his duty, and to gratify what he regarded an 
honorable ambition, that he came to assume the governorship of Louisiana, and 
with it the earldom that was to reward this conquest of a province which Great 
Britain had long entertained an ardent desire to possess. We do not believe 
that the English government would have allowed Sir Edward's modesty or chiv- 
alry to prevail over the necessity of supporting this new earldom by some 
moneyed allowance ; nor that they would have regarded it as at all improper to 
apply to that object a large share of the fifteen millions of cotton and sugar 
then in the warehouses in New Orleans. If one of "the greatest soldiers, En- 
glishmen and Christians that ever lived," asSir William Napier has styled his dis- 
tinguished relative, the conqueror of Scind, in a funeral oration delivered at the 
burial of that heroic soldier (no less remarkable for its extravagance than its 
terseness), did not sully his laurels by enriching himself out of the spoils, the 
treasures, the jewels and precious metals of the subjugated Ameers, certainly 
this historian will not include us in the class of American writers who have 
"traduced" Ihe memory and fame of Pakenham for intimating that his suc- 
cessful entrance into the city of New Orleans would have supplied all those de- 
ficiencies of fortune which too often mark the condition of meritorious 5rounger 
sons of the nobility of Great Britain. 

With Sir Edward came as second in command, Maj. General Samuel 
Gibbs, colonel of the Fifty-ninth Foot, a very active and experienced officer. 
He had greatly distinguished himself in the East, and particularly in the storm- 
ing of Fort Cornelius, on the Island of Java, and in the Peninsular war. There 
were also several distinguished staff and artillery officers, who came with Sir 
Edward Pakenham. 

It has — since the death of the Duke of Wellington and the publication of his 
letters — come to light, that the project was seriously discussed in the British 
Cabinet of placing Wellington at the head of the expedition to New Orleans, 
and that he manifested no reluctance to undertake the enterprise. In one of his 
letters published, he refers to the subject, saying he would cheerfully accept 
the duty if it was imposed upon him ; gives some very crude views of the 
manner in which the war should be conducted, and declares his belief that the 
troops he had seen embark for Amei"ica at Bordeaux, in the summer of 1814, 
must be verj^ badly handled if they did not prove victorious in any contest in 
which they might engage. Fortunate decision of the British Cabinet! Welling- 
ton was retained at home. The ministr)^ however, sent some of his ablest 



402 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

lieutenants, upon whose brows the laurels of Spain were destined to be supplanted 
by the cypress of Louisiana, to execute the plans of operations of their great 
chief. Ross had fallen on the banks of the Patapsoc, and Pakenham was 
sent to take his place. 

There was great rejoicing in the British camp over the arrival of Paken- 
ham. Loud cheers rent the air. Even salutes of artillery were fired in honor 
of the event. This joy and commotion were quite perceptible to the American 
outposts, who soon ascertained the cause and communicated it to Jackson. The 
next day the news flew through the American lines that a famous British Gen- 
eral — some had it the Duke of Wellington himself — had arrived in the British 
camp. Henceforth, it was said, the operations of the British would be con- 
ducted with much more vigor and power, and with more efficient forces and 
appliances than had been employed heretofore. These stories, with all their 
exaggerations, did not appal the spirit or weaken the energies of Jackson. 
Indeed, the only visible effect they produced was to communicate greater acti\ity 
and resolution to all his movements and measures for the maintenance of his 
position. Without dismounting, for hours and hours he paced along the line of 
the Rodriguez Canal, encouraging and inciting his men by every influence which 
he could use to labor in the rude intrenchment which his engineers had drawn 
along the canal. " Here," he remarked to them in the frontier style, " we shall 
plant our stakes, and not abandon them until we drive these red coat rascals into 
the river or the swamp." 

Pakenham,'who had the e3'es of a soldier, was not pleased at his first glance 
at the position of his armj-. It did not take much time for him to comprehend 
all the perils and embarrassments that environed him. Concealing" his feeling 
and impressions, he assembled the chief officers at Villere's house, where he 
established his headquarters. 

There, in the parlor of the patriotic planter, who was then but a few miles 
off aiding in the organization of the militia, who were daily dispatched to rein- 
force Jackson, met a score or more of the most distinguished veteran officers of 
the Peninsular war to deliberate upon tlie means of resisting and defeating a 
militia General, at the head of a force of raw militia, inferior in number to their 
own gallant array of veteran and practised warriors. Many of them had not 
seen their associates since they had parted in Spain; many, like the officers of 
the Ninety—third, newly arrived from the Cape of Good Hope, had not met for 
eight or ten years. 

But there was no time for congratulations or the interchange of friendh^ 
conversation. The business before them was serious and pressing. Their 
consultation extended far into the night. What then and there occurred must 
ever be a mystery, but enough leaked out to convince the younger officers that 
Sir Edward was greatly dissatisfied with the aspect of affairs, and, after re- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 403 

ceiving a full report of Keane's operations, entertained but little hope of achiev- 
ing the object of the expedition. He perceived and lamented the original error 
of not advancing on the 23d. It is even said that he thought of withdrawing 
the army and attempting a landing in another quarter. But that sturdy veteran, 
Sir Alexander Cochrane, who attended the council, was of sterner stuff, and 
regarded the expedition as far from being defeated or foiled. If the army 
shrank from the task, he would bring up the sailors and marines from the fleet, 
and storm the American lines, and march into the city; "the soldiers could 
then," added the bitter old Scotchman, ''bring up the baggage." 

The confidence of the old tar was happily illustrated by an authentic anec- 
dote. One of the British prisoners captured on the 23d of December stated to 
General Jackson that the Admiral had sworn he would eat his Christmas dinner 
in the city. Jackson promptly replied, "Perhaps so; but I shall have the honor 
of presiding at that dinner." 

It was finally determined to advance and carry the enemy's entrenchments 
at the point of the ba3-onet. The original error with regard to the number of 
the American force still clung to them. Even then, when they had had the op- 
portunit}' for observation, which their position afforded, and when the Ameri- 
cans had but two small artillery pieces, and their entrenchments were but just 
commenced, they neglected to advance with an army which exceeded by two or 
three thousand that of Jackson's command. This, for the Americans, fortunate 
remissness, was all due to the impression which Jackson had made on the minds 
of the British by his extraordinary and brilliant attack on the 23d. 

Pakenham, on assuming command of the army, changed its organization 
b}- forming two organizations, or brigades, under the command of Generals 
Gibbs and Keane. How these brigades were composed will appear hereafter. 
Earl}' the next day, the 26th of December, Pakenham rode out with his staff 
and generals to reconnoitre the American lines. As far as the eye could reach 
along the plains which lay before him, he could perceive no evidence of any reg- 
ular force opposed to him. The only living objects he could observe were 
bodies of horsemen, galloping over the field in very unmilitary fashion, appar- 
ently watching every movement in the British camp, and now and then crack- 
ing away with their long rifles at the outposts and sentinels. Then these 
stragglers would return leisurely to an old chateau, about long musket shot from 
the British sentries, which appeared to be their general rendezvous. These 
scouts presented more the appearance of snipe and rabbit hunters, beating the 
bushes for their game, than of soldiers seeking opportunity to annoy their enemy. 
It was a novel sight to Pakenham, accustomed as he was to the formal and 
regular mode of conducting warlike operations of the French and British 
armies. 

Beyond these, there was no other evidence of the presence of a hostile 



■% 



404 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ■ 

army. This mysterious aspect in front served to increase the anxiety and em- 
barrassment of the Britisli general. The movement of the irregular troops 
indicated the confidence of a powerful force strongly posted in the rear as well 
as the audacity of the men who had been under fire and had tested the horrors 
of war. They were no timid militiamen, like those who had offered so feeble 
a resistance at Washington, or rather, in justice to the latter, many of whom 
were personally as brave as any who ever shouldered a musket, we shall say 
there was unmistakable evidence of the presence among them of a chief, who 
inspired confidence, courage and determination of all under his command. 

This observation satisfied Pakenham that he had but one course to pursue, 
and that was to carry the enemy's lines, wherever they were, by storm. As 
soon as this resolution was taken, all anxiety and care disappeared from his 
countenance. He immediately set to work to prepare for the advance. 

But before this could be done a serious obstacle had to be removed. 
Those terrible floating batteries, the Carolina and Louisiana, still retained their 
position, anchored near the opposite bank of the river, and kept up a continuous 
cannonading on the British camp. Wherever a knot of British could be seen, 
a shower of "grape would be thrown at them, with such accuracy that they 
would be quickty dispersed and compelled to take shelter. Even those who 
took retuge in the houses were not safe. Many a social party who met 
stealthily in some quiet little negro hut, behind the chimnej'S, or in some nook 
of the larger houses, to enjoy a few comforts and relieve the distress and 
tedium of their situation by a little conviviality, would suddenly be intruded 
upon by cannon balls sent from one of Patterson's vessels, producing ver}' pre- 
cipitate scattering of the part}'. It was impossible to form a column under the 
fire of these vessels. Orders were, therefore, issued to hurry up all the large 
cannon which could be spared from the fleet, for the purpose of bringing them 
to bear upon the two formidable little vessels. By incredible exertions, the 
chief labor being performed by the sailors, under Cochrane and Malcolm, a 
powerful battery of twelve and eighteen pounders was brought up on the night 
of the 26th and planted on the levee, so as to command the Carolina and Louis- 
iana. See account of the battle. 




^^^^^^^^^ i^^.^ 



Biographical Sketches 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



CHAPTER 1. 



PARISH OF ST. LANDRY. 

^ C. B. ANDRUS, Opklousas.— C. B. Andrus, merchant and planter, was 
born in St. J^andry parish in 1842. He is tlie son of Elisha and Maiy A. 
(Hayes) Andrus. Botii were natives of Louisiana. Elisha Andrus was a 
mechanic by occupation, but after locating in St. Landry he became a cotton 
planter. He occupied what is known as Oak Plantation, wliich is now the home 
of our subject. Mr. Andrus died at the age of 70 years in 1882. 

C. B. Andrus was one of a family of six children and was educated at Char- 
lottesville, Va. At the breaking out of the war he returned home and enlisted in 
Company F, Eiglith Louisiana Regiment. He served under Stonewall Jackson. 
He participated in the first battle of ^Linassas, Stone Bridge, Harper's Ferry, 
seven days' fight around Richmond, and at Getl3'sburg. At the last place he 
was taken prisoner and confined in prison at Fort Delaware. He was detained 
there for fourteen months, suffering untold hardships. During this time he with- 
stood a severe attack of small-pox. He was finally paroled and returned home 
to recuperate, during which time the war closed. After the war Mr. Andrus 
entered the mercantile business in Opelousas, where he has since continued. His 
plantation is a valuable one of eight hundred acres, six hundred of which are 
under cultivation. He was married December 10, 1870, to Miss Cecelia C. Gar- 
rigues, daughter of Judge Adolph Garrigues, who was one of St. Landry's most 
prominent citizens, and the son of Gen. Garrigues. To them have been born 
four children, viz: Adolph, Anna, Frances, Maithe. all of whom have i-eceived the 

best educational and social advantages. 

* 
* « 

^ WM. R. ASHFORD, Chataigniek. -Mr. Ashford is a native of St. 

Landry parisli, born in 1S49. He is the son of Butler J. and Sara (Barker) 

Asliford, the former a native of Wilmington, N. C, the latter of South Carolina. 

Mrs. Ashford's grandfather, Col. Barker, was an otiicer in the revolutionary 

war. 

Tiie subject of our sketch is one of a famih' of two brothers. When he 

was about five years of age his father died, and his mother married the second 



4 SOLn^HWEST LOUISIANA: 

time. He began life teaching in the pubhc schools. In this he was engaged for 
a period of about four .3'ears, when he took charge of a stock farm and was 
engaged in that business for about eight 3-ears. During this period he kept a 
ferry on the Nepizcupez. Since that time he has conducted his plantation, and 
taught private school. He has a plantation of over three hundred acres, on which 
he raises principally rice. Mr. Ashford was married in 1852 to Miss D. Hebert, 
a native of St. Landry parish, and daughter of Joisin and Devine Fontenot. 
To this union have been born six children, two sons and four daughters. 

* » 
^ CAPT. WALTHALL BURTON, Elba.— Capt. Walthall Burton was, 
before the war, one of the most successful and largest planters on the Atchafa- 
laya River. He has resided here since 1849. He was born in Nelson county, 
Ky., March 28, 1807, and is the son of Wilson and Eleanor (Bruce) Burton, 
both natives of Kentuckj-. He resided in that State with his parents until 1811, 
at which lime they removed to Wilkinson county. Miss. His father died in 1825, 
at the age of fifty-two. His widow survived until 1864. 

Capt. Burton is the third of six children. He received his chief education 
in Wilkinson county. Miss., and when nmeteen years of age he became over- 
seer of a plantation near his home, which occupation he followed until 1827, 
when he married and went into business for himsi If . In 1833 he removed to 
St. Helena parish, where he resided until 1849. 

Capt. Burton has always been a progressive and successful planter. After 
the war he spent some time in steamboating on the Atchafalaya River, and was 
the captain of several vessels, viz: Anna Wagl}*, Blackford, Bertha and Lizzie 
Taylor, and others. In 1883 he abandoned the river. 

Capt. Burton has taken quite an active part in political affairs; in 1846 he 
was elected member of the Constitutional Convention from St. Helena parish. In 
1847 he was sent to the Legislature to represent St. Helena, and was a member 
of the Secession Convention from St. Landry; in 1879 he was elected a member 
of the Constitutional Convention from St. Lanthy parish. Since that time he has 
retired from political life. The captain's plantation consists of a large tract of 
some very fine land. 

In 1837 he was married to Miss'Theresa A. Terrel, of Mississippi; to this 
union was bor-n six children, only one is now living, Mrs. Dr. Hartman. 

Capt. Burton and his venerable wife have been united in matrimony for 
sixty-four years. She is a member of the M. E. Cliurch. 

^ » GEORGE E. BROOKS, M. D., Fort Barre.— Dr. Brooks was born 
in Chicksaw county, Mississippi, July 23, 1S62. He is the son of Dr. John G. 
and Martha (Reid) Brooks, buth of whom are natives of Mississippi. Dr. John 
G. Brooks graduated with honors at the University of Louisville. During the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. b 

war he resided in Washington and Jackson counties, Texas. At the time of 
his death he was sheriff of St. Landry parish. He was a prominent Mason. 
He died in 1869, while on a journe}'- in Virginia, at the age of 47 jears. His 
wife is now a resident of Opelojsas. 

The subject of this sketch is the fourth of a familv of seven children. 
During his youth he attended school at Opelousas. At the age of twenty years 
he began the study of medicine under Dr. Haas. In the years 1883-4-5 he 
attended Louisville Medical College, Kentucky, graduating in 1885. He began 
the practice of medicine in Calcasieu parish. One year after, he removed to 
MiJlerville, Acadia parish, where he remained two years, when he located at 
Port Barre. 

The doctor was married, January, 23, 1S89, to Miss Annie, daughter of T. 
C. Chachere, Prudhomme City, La. They became the parents of one 
son, J. G. 

The doctor is a member of the Knights of Honor. While in Acadia parish 
he was elected to till the position of coroner. He stands high in his profession. 

^ JONAS W. BAILEY, Washington.— Jonas W. Bailey, one of St. Lan- 
dry's largest sugar planters, cultivates what is known as the Nangeroy 
plantation, formerly owned by Dr. Taylor, located about four miles east of 
Washington. He is a native of Norfolk, England, and was born November 23, 
182S. His parents, Samuel and Mary A. Bailey, came to this country from 
England and resided for a short while in New York. In 1853 they removed to 
Toronto, Canada, where they resided until 1857. Sumuel Bailey was a skilled 
architect, and worked botli in England and Toronto. Many of his edifices stand 
as living monuments of his workmanship. 

Jonas W. Bailey, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Norfolk, Eng- 
land, and Elmira, New York. Early in life he adopted his father's profession, 
and for many years followed this vocation. In 1S58 he removed to New Orleans, 
where he remained only one year, removing to Ascension parish, where he be- 
came interested in sugar planting; subst-quently he removed to this place and, 
in partnership with Raymond Bros., owns tlie large plantation where he resides. 
His partners residing in New Orleans, ilie entire charge of ihe plantation is 
under his control and management. In 1S68 Mr. Bailey was married to Miss 
Hunter, a native of Loui.'^iana, and daugliter of Colonel Hunter, of the United 
Stales army. They are the parents of one son, Jonas W., Jr. Mr. Bailev is 
a member of the K. of H. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal 
church. * 

'^ E. S. BARRY, M. D., Gr.vnd Cotkau. — Dr. Barry was born in the town 
in which he resides, in 1853. He is a son of S. J. and Emerite (Guidry) Barry, 



6 SO urii H 'Es r l o uisia na .- 

both n:ili\es of Louisiana. Tiiev became the parents of six children. S. J. 
Barry was for twenty-five years a member of the town council, and was one of 
the prominent citizens of the place. He died in 1882. Mrs. Barry died in 
18S1. Both were members of the Catholic church. 

The Doctor had good educational facilities when a boy, having been a stu- 
dent in the best schools in the State from the time when he was old enough to 
attend school. He is a graduate of the St. Ciiarles College at this place. In 
1875 he matriculated in the medical department of what is now the Tulane Uni- 
versity, New Orleans, graduating in 1878. He began the practice of his profes- 
sion during the same 3'ear, choosing as his location his native town. 

The Doctor has succeeded in building up a large practice ; and being a haid 
student, and of the strictest moral integrity, he bids fair to be one of the leading 
physicians of this section. He has a fine plantation of about one thousand 
acres of land near Opelousas. He also owns some valuable property in Grand 
Coteau. He conducts a drug and general mercantile business here in connection 
with his practice. The Doctor is a liberal contributo'r to all public enterprises, 
and takes a lead in any mov'e for the advancement of the community. 

He was married, in 1882, to Miss Cordelia Arceneaux, daughter of Francois 
and Amelia (Thibodeaux) Arceneaux. To them have been born four children : 
Isabella, Sylvester J., Lilian, and Lawrence. 

* 

* * 

R. H. BARRY, Grand Coteau. — R. H. Barry, planter, is tlie son of 
John C. and Mary (Dunbar) Barry. He was born in 1853. His parents are 
natives of Louisiana and f^Iississippi respectively. J. C. Barry was a planter. 
He represented St. Landry parish in the Legislature at one time. He died in 
1877 at Grand Coteau. His wife still survives him. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated near where he now 
resides. He has alwaj's been a planter. He owns a plantation of about three 
iiundred acres one mile north of Grand Coteau. Cotton and corn are the chief 
products. 

He married, in 1875, Miss Lelia Hebert, daughter of Theogene and Julia 
(Richard) Hebert. The}' are the happy parents of five children, John, Richard, 
Patrick and Irene: one died in infancy. Mr. Barr}' and wife are members of 

the Catholic church. » 

* * 

^ F. G. BRINKHAUS, Grand Coteau.— Mr. Brinkhaus is a Louisianian 
by birth, though his parents, Herman Brinkhaus and Anna M. Koch, were 
natives of Prussia, who moved to Louisiana about 1S50. They were married 
in New Orleans in 1854. 

F. G. Brinkhaus is the eldest of a family of six children. He began life- as 
a shoemaker in Grand Coteau, and in this business he has continued until tlie 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 7 

present time. In connection with this he carries a full line of boots and shoes, 
and has also a millinery department, which is conducted by his wife. 

He was married, in 1879, to Odele Hebert, daughter of Theogene and Julia 
(Richard) Hebert. To them liave been born one daughter — Odelia. Both he 
and his wife are members of the Catholic church 



A. J. BERCIER, D. D. S., Oi-elousas.— A. J. Bercier, D. D. S., is a 
native of Louisiana, born October, 1858. He is the son of Eugene and Louisa 
(King) Bercier, both natives of Louisiana. His father was engaged principally 
in steamboating during his life. He died in 1858, at the age of thirt3r-six }^ears. 

Dr. Bercier's paternal grandparents both came from France, and his ma- 
ternal from German}-. The Doctor was reared in St. Landry parish, Louisiana. 
He received his education in the prii^ate schools of Opelousas, which, owing to 
liaving been deprived of his father at the age of fifteen months, necessitating his 
remaining with his widowed mother until he was fifteen years of age, was quite 
limited; though Dr. Bercier is an educated man, from his association with 
others and private study. 

In 1881 he entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and graduated 
with second honor in 1883. He located in the practise of his profession in 
Opelousas, and has been successful in bulldingup a good practise. He married, [in 
1884, Miss Eleanor Hardy, the accomplished daughter of Pliney Hardy, a native 
of Louisiana. Mr. Hardy was a scholar and refined gentleman, a graduate of 
Grand Coteau College ; also a graduate of a law school. Shortly after being 
admitted to the bar he was elected District Attorney. At the age of twenty -five 
years he was elected Secretary of the State, and refused a second term, pre- 
fermg to live among his friends. He died at the age of thirtj'-six j'ears in 1858. 

Professionally, Dr. Bercier has few superiors, and, socially, he is one of 
the most jovial and entertaining of gentlemen. 

^ JOSEPH BLOCH, Opelousas. — Joseph Bloch, one of the largest mer 
chants in Opelousas, is a native of France, born in 1833. He came to America 
at the age of tvvent3'-one years. He was first located in Ascension parish, Louis- 
iana, where he was engaged in the mercantile business until i860, at which time 
he removed to Opelousas, where he has since been located. Mr. Bloch lost 
heavily from the effects of the war, but with persistent energy he kept up his 
business until he attained a solid standing. Prior to 1879 he liad been associated 
in business with other parties, but since that time ha-^ conducted an indej^endent 
business. 

Mr. Bloch has served for a period as President of the Parish School Board, 
and in this capacity was untiring in his efforts to improve the public school 



8 SOUTHWEST L OVJSIANA : 

sj'Stem. Mr. Bloch is a prominent Mason, and lias served as Master of his 
Lodge, and is at present its treasurer. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., 
American Legion of Honor, Benai Brith, and A. O. U. W., in which he has 
served several times as presiding officer. He is at present, and has been for 
years, President of the Hebrew congregation at this place. Mr. Bloch married 
in New Orleans, December 27, 1865, Miss Bertha Kaufman, a native of Ger- 
man}-, who came here with her parents while j'et an iafant. They became the 
parents of six children: Albert J., now resident student of the Charity Hospital 
at New Orleans; Eugene S., in charge of Mr, Bloch's business; Julia, Edgar 
H., student in Tulane Universit}', New Orleans ; I^icile, and Percy Argail. 

Mr. Bloch does quite an extensive business — one of the largest in this section, 
amounting to upward of $50,000 annuall}-. His place of business is a model 

of modern convenience. * 

* * 

^ JAMES BURLEIGH, Grand Coteau.— James Burleigh, a successful 
planter of St. Landry parish, was born where he resides, September 29, 1830. 
His parents, James and Adelaide (Boudreaux) Burleigh, were also natives of St. 
Landr}' parish. Tiie}' reared a family of twelve children, six of whom are de- 
ceased. James Burleigh died in 1861. 

The subject of our sketch was reared and received liis education here. He 
was married in May, i85i,toMiss Frances Cason, daughter of William L. Cason, 
of Georgia. They are the parents of ten children — five bo3's and seven girls, 
viz: James AL, Frances A., wife of Charles Willis; Elizabeth (deceased); 
Sarah L., wife of JohnM. Bailej-; WilliamL. (deceased). Fountain D., and Susan 
E. (deceased). Mr. Burleigh enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862, and was 
at the battles of Vicksburg and Chickasaw. At the latterplace he was taken pris- 
oner and exchanged at Vicksburg, after which he came to Alexandria, La., and 
remained there until the war was over. When he enlisted he was sergeant of Com- 
pany' K, of the Twent3--eighth Louisiana Regiment, and he was subsequently pro- 
moted to first lieutenant. After the war he resumed farming, and he now owns 
a plantation of about three hundred and twenty-five acres adjoining the village of 
Grand Coteau. His plantation is one of the finest in St. Landr}' parish. 
Besides raising varied products he is making a specialty of stock raising. He is 
one of the oldest settlers of the parish and is highl)' respected. He and his 
family are members of the Catholic church. 

JOSEPH BURLEIGH, St. Lanurv.— Joseph Burleigh was born in St. 
Landry parish, Louisiana, 1828. He is the son of James and Adelaide (Bou- 
dreaux) Burleigh, both of whom are natives of St. Landry parish, where they 
were reared and married. The Burleigh family is of direct English descent, 
the grandfather of our subject having been born there. He was a lineal de- 
scendant of Lord Burleiiih. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. !) 

The subject of our sketch received a gfood business education in the schools 
of this section. He chose as his vocation planting, which he has closely fol- 
lowed fiom his youth. He owns a plantation of tliree hundred and twenty 
acres, on which he raises principall}' cotton. For a number of years he gave 
his attention to the cultivation of sugar, but when sugar became so reduced in 
price that it was no longer profitable, he abandoned the business, and has since 
given his attentionto cotton planting. Mr. Burleigh has upon his plantation a 
number of tenant houses, and gives employ mentto al)out fifteen families. He 
and his wife are members of the Catliolic churcli. 

^ EDWARD BOAGNI, Opelousas.— Edward Boagni, a native of St. Lan- 
dry parish, Louisiana, was born in Opelousas in i860. Mr. Boagni at an earlv 
age entered the Jesuit College at Grand Coteau, La., and remained tliere until 
within a few months of graduating. 

After leaving school, Mr. Boagni pursued the study of law under the Hon. 
Kenneth Ballio, of the Opelousas bar. This, liowever, was not done with the 
view of being admitted to the practice, but to gain a practical idea of law 
sufficient to enable him to successfully undertake the management of his father's 
business. Mr. Boagni and his father being the largest propert}^ holders in the 
parish, lie found it expedient to be both lawyer and financier. Combined with 
his other qualifications Mr. Boagni gained some knowledge of civil engineering. 
In iSSS lie became a member of the police jurjs and though the youngest 
member of the board he was elected President of the Police Jur}- immediately 
after taking his seat, and is the present incumbent of this responsible posiiion. 

» » 
*^ C. F. BURR, Opelousas. — C. F. Burr was born in St. Landry parish, 
January 26, 1850. The Burr famil}' are originally from Springfield, Massacli- 
usetts. and relations of Aaron Burr. Freeman Burr, the father of our subject, 
was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, iSoS. He followed something of a 
roving life, having traveled over nearly the whole of the United States. He 
studied dentistry, and about 1837 he came to Louisiana, where he practised his 
profession until 1S59. He was married in Opelousas to Miss Eugenia Thomp- 
son, daugliter of John ThiMiipson, a native of Kentucky. 

jolin Thompson was for man}' years an ofiicial under tlie different admin- 
istrations of Louisiana. He was a large property owner, the present Burr estate 
being a part of his domain. He married, in St: Landry parish, Miss S3-dalyse 
De Lachesse, of Acadian French ancestry. Mrs. Thompson was a woman of 
rare intellectual att;iinments. Having led an exemplary life, slie died in New 
Orleans at the advanced age of nin<;t\ -eight Mrs. Eugenia Burr, her daughter, 
was born in the place where the family now reside. She became the mother of 



10 sorrnwEST l ocisiana -. 

six children, three of wliom are living; MaiT, Williain and C. F.,the subject of 
our sketcli, and reside on the old home plantation. Mrs. Burr died in 1882. 

C. F. Burr received a fair education in the schools of his locality. With 
the exception of the time given to official duties he has devoted himself almost 
entirel)' to planting. He fir:-t served as deputy sheriff of St. Landry parisli in 
1871. He has served in this capacit}' at intervals ever since. He is a most vigi- 
lant odlcer; and the efficient manner in which he has performed his official 
duties has gi\-en him sometliing of a local reputation. He has never married. 

V^ FRANK E. BAILEY, Opelous.\s. — Frank E. Bailey, druggist, is a native 
of Lafayette parish, Louisiana, born in 1858. He is a son of Abijah and Susan 
Bailey, both natives of Louisiana. 

Mr. Bailey's father was a printer in Lafayette. He died during the war. 
His mother is still living in Lafayette parish. 

The subject of this sketch spent his bo3hood days in Lafa3'ette parish, and 
■ received such education as the public and private school afforded. When quite 
young he entered a drug store and learned the business. He married, in 18S3, 
Miss Nina Hebrard, daughter of P. Leonce Hebrard, of Opelousas. 

Mr. Baile}' began conducting a drug store on his own account, first, as man- 
ager for M. T. Young & Co., of Opelousas, in which he continued until 1887, 
when he purchased the stock, and has since conducted the business with marked 
success. He is an energetic business man, and is esteemed by those with whom 

he has cast his lot. * 

* » 

LEWIS BIHM, St. Landry. — Mr. Bihm is a native of St. Landry parish, 
born in 1859. He is the son of M. and I. ( Lovt- 11 ) Bihm, both natives of 
Louisiana. 

Young Lewis had limited opoortunilies for an education as abov, but made 
the best of them. He chose as his vocation farming, which he has followed up 
to the present time. He has a nice little plantation of about two hundred and 
fifty acres of prairie and woodland, on which he has good improvements and 
raises cotton and corn. He married, December 29, 1879, Leda McCleunon, a 
native of St. Landi'v. To this union has been born tliree children, James, Iso- 
line and Jewel. 

Mr. Bihm operates in connection wiih his plantation a cotton gin and corn 
mill. 

V JOHN BOUDREAUX, St. Landry.— John Boudieaux, is a native of 
St. Landry parish, and the son ot Syphrian and Marie Boudreaux, both of 
whom are natives of Louisiana. The subject of our sketch had very limited 
educational facilities, Imving onlj* attended school a few months. He has, how- 
vCver, by contact with the business world, acquired a practical business 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 11 

education. In November, 1872, he married Cedonia Pregen, 11 native of St. 
Landry parish, and to this union has been born ten children, of whom eight 
are now living: Arthur, James, Paul, Abraham, Sara, George, John and 
Blanche. In iS73our subject purchased a small plantation of unimproved land, 
on which he erected a good building and storehouse. In 1887 he opened a 
family grocery store, and in this he has been quite successful. 

Mr. Boudreaux has devoted himself chiefly to planting during the whole of 
his lifetime, and is one of the successful planters of this section. His elder 
brothers were engaged in tlie Confederate States service during the war, one of 
whom died while in service. Mr. Boudreaux. was too young at that time to 
serve as soldier. » 

'^ HON. E. NORTH CULLOM, Opelousas.— Among tlie prominent mem- 
bers of the bar of Southwest Louisiana few surpass in profound legal attainments 
him whose name heads this sketch. He is a brilliant and forcible speaker, an 
excellent judge of law, and a faithful and conscientious attorne} . Strength of 
mind and purity of purpose are his leading traits. These in his profession have 
made him a great lawj'er. In that branch of the law practice that sometimes 
requires scheming and cunning diplomacy he is neither great nor successful, a 
proof that his nature is faithful and just. Judge Cullom was born in Opelousas, 
September 14, 1824, and is a son of Francis and Maria (Prewett) Cullom; the 
former was a native of Kentucky, born at Monticello, in 1793, and the latter was 
born in Tennessee, and died in Louisiana in 1829. She was the mother of three 
children, of whom Judge Cullom is the eldest. Francis Cullom was a carpenter 
by trade. He emigrated to Louisiana in 1S20, and located in Opelousas. He 
continued to work at his tradeuntil 1845, when he commenced the practice of 
law, which he followed until the time of his death in 1S55, at the age of 62 
j-ears. 

Judge Cullom received but a limited school education, but through private 
study and tutorship attained a thorough literary education, being an excellent 
Latin and French scholar, with considerable knowledge of Greek. He studied 
common law at Danville, Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in that cit\', 
March 9, 1849. ^^ was not his intention, however, to locate there, and he re- 
turned to Louisiana, and devoted himself to the study of the civil law of this State 
under the preceptorship of his father. He taught a school at intervals, mean- 
while pursuing his studies, and, September 7, 1850, was admitted to the bar be- 
fore the Supreme Court of Louisiana in Opelousas. 

He at once entered into practice with his father, and was his partner until 
the latter's death in 1855. Ju<^ge Cullom arose quickly to distinction and soon 
acquired a lucrative practice. His ability as a speaker brought him into general 
notice, and made him a leader in all matters for the public good. He became 



12 SO VTIl W 'EST L O UlSIA NA : 

one of the most active agitators of the project known as the New Orleans, Ope- 
lousas, & Great Western Railway, now known as Morgan's Southern Pacific 
Railroad. He remained in Opelousas until the latter part of May, 1865, when 
he removed to Avoyelles parish, practising his profession until 1858, when he 
was elected by the popular vote Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District, com- 
posed of the parishes of Rapides and Avoyelles. He was a Whig in politics, and 
and at the close of his term he found considerable opposition to his reelection 
in 1861. But notwithstanding the boundaries of the district had been changed, 
he was reel xted by a large majority. He was again elected in 1865, this time 
without opposition. During the. last two terms the district was composed of the 
jiarishes of Avoyelles, Pointe Coupee, and West Feliciana. During his last term 
he was forced to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States Govern- 
ment, and, when Federal authorit}^ was restored, he wis, of course, decapitated 
for "sympathy with the Confederacy." He immediately filed application before 
Congress to have his disabilit}' removed, and through the influence of Thaddeus 
Stevens was restored July 20, 1868, to full citizenship. In the meantime he 
had resumed practice in Avoyelles, Rapides, and Pointe Coupee parishes. In 
February, 1869, he opened a law office in New Orleans, and was active in getting 
up what was known as the Liberal Part)' at that time, and afterward as the 
Fusion Party. 

By this party he was nominated in the convention for Judge of the Fifth 
District Court of the parish of Orleans, and was elected, serving four 3'ears. As 
he would not become the tool of factions — too honest to descend from ihe dig- 
nitv belonging to the high position he held — he was forced to retire from the 
bench, and again he resumed his law practice. In 1877 he was the chief at- 
torney in the noted returning board case, defending the Hon. J. Madison Wells 
in that interesting matter. In 1878 he was nominated bj'^ the Working Men's and 
the Greenback parties for Congress in the Second District, but was defeated. 
In the fall of 1882 he was appointed assistant attorney of the United States on 
the French-American Claims Commission, vice Judge Taylor Beattie. In 1883, 
his interests calling him back to the countr}' ; he settled on his farm in Avoyelles 
parish, on the bank of the Bayou Boeuf, and remained there until 1889, when he 
removed to Opelousas, with the intention of practising law. In September, 1890, 
he became editor of the St. Landry Democrat, in which capacity he continued 
until January 4, 1891. In 1853 and 1854 ''^ edited the St. Landry Whig at Ope- 
lousas. All through his life Judge CuUom has been a constant contributor 10 all 
the leading journals of Louisiana. Judge Cullom was married February 28, 
1848, to Miss Mary J. Gilmore of Danville, Ky. They have had three children. 
The eldest, Robert L., died in 1884. leaving four children, three of whom are 
bt'uvjr reared bv Judge Cullom ; thesecond is William M.,an(l the third, Edward, 
is practising law at Marksville, La. 



HISTORIC AL AXn BIOCnAPHICAL. IH 

Such in brief is the record of Judge CuUom. The foundation of his active 
hfe was laid here in Southwest Louisiana, and the people who have known him 
long and well will ever entertain for him the highest regard and admiration as a 
man, a lawyer and a jurist. In every position of life to which he was elevated, 
he gained distinguished honors. Firm and conscientious in all his views, and 
bold and fearless in their enunciation, he always commanded the respect of 
those who differed from him in his political faith. His personal experience, his 
education and his reason taught him the fallibility of human judgment, and the 
liability of honest and wise men to disagree upon almost every question of 
political philosophy in a government constituted as ours is, and he claimed no 
charity for himself that he did not cordiall}' extend to others. In all his public 
acts a sense of duty accompanied him, and disregarding selfish and personal 
considerations, he Unflincliingly obeyed its behests. 

^ ROBERT CHACHERE, Opelousas.— Robert Chachere, the present 
maj'or of Opelousas, was born in Opelousas, La., December 9, 1855. He is the 
son of Theodore and Clementine (Bengeruel) Chachere, both of whom are 
natives of this place. They reared a large family. The Chacheres are one of 
the oldest and most respected, as well as one of the most numerous families 
of the State. Their history began with the history of Louisiana. 

The subject of our sketch was educated at St. Charles College, Grand Cot- 
eau. He was trained to plaatation and mercantile pursuits; and at the age of 
twenty 3'ears began business for himself. He had been successful; and his 
mercantile business at this place is large and flourishing. Mayor Chachen5 is 
an active participant in local affairs and all matters pertaining to the welfare of 
the town. Tiie zeal he manifests in matters for the promotion of the public in- 
terest is recognized by the citizens of the place, and in 1890 they entrusted him 
with the responsible position of mayor of the town. In this capacity his efforts 
to improve the place have been untiring. 

He married, in 1876, Miss Emma Deput}', a native of St. Landry parish. 
They are the parents of fi\'e children, Lapear iM., Eloise, Clementine, Paul, 

and Celine. » 

* * 

'' THEOG. CHACHERE, M.D.,OpELOL-SAS.-Dr.Chachere is a native of Lou- 
isiana, born in St. Landr\' parish about six miles from his present home, Decem- 
ber 19, 1835. He is the son of Vailland and Heloise (Lavergne) Chachere, 
both of whom are natives of St. Landry. The father is a son of Louis and 
Catharine Vauchere, the former a native of France and the latter of Canada. 

The subject of our sketch is one of a family of thirteen children, twelve of 
whom lived to maturit)\ He received the rudiments of his education in the 
public schools, afterward attending school at Opelousas. At the age of twentv- 



14 SOr7V/U'/:.S7' L OUISIANA : 

two he began the study of medicine under Dr. D. Warren Brickell, and afterward 
attended the New Orleans School of Medicine, receiving his degree in 1861. In 
1861 he enlisted in the Confederate States service as a private, but was subse- 
quently promoted to Assistant Surgeon with the rank of Captain, serving four 
years, until the close of the war. He was in the second battle of Manassas, the 
battles of Port Royal, Winchester, Fredericksburg and Richmond, and in nianv 
of the minor engagements. After the war he began the practice of his profession 
in St. Landry parish, where he has built up a lucrative practice, which he has cen- 
tralized as much as possible, not desiring to extend it over a great area on ac- 
count of his health. He married, in 1867, Miss Mary Guidr}', a native of Acadia 
parish and daughter of Placide and Eliza (McClelland) Guidry. In 1874 Dr. 
Chachere purchased the plantation upon which he now resides, erecting thereon 
a palatial residence and otherwise improving it. Dr. Chachere is one of the lead- 
ing spirits of his section. He represented his parish in the Legislature in 1871 and 
1872, and in this capacit}' he was identified with the leading measures that came 
before that body. * 

^ JOSEPH CHACHERE, St. Landry.— Joseph Chachere is a successful 
farmer, residing ten miles south of Opelousas. He is a native of the parish, 
born June, 1836. He is the son of V. and Eloise fLoving) Chachere, both of 
whom are natives of Louisiana. His father was a planter b\' occupation. He 
is still living, being now eighty-nine A'ears old. He is hale and hearty for one 
of his j^ears. 

Joseph Chachere was reared on a plantation, and wlien he began business 
for himself he chose farming as his vocation. 

He was married in 1861, to Elide Pitre, and to the union have been born 
three children, viz : Josephine, wife of Jno. Andrews; Amint, wife of Leon 
Lavoring; Amelia, wife of Jno. M. Andrews. Mrs. Chachere died at her 
home in St. Landry parish in 1873. In 1874 Mr. Chachere married Lucinda 
Bacon, daughter of Joseph Bacon. They became the parents of three children: 
Nale, Rosa and Irene. 

Mr. Chachere owns a good plantation of about three hundred acres, upon 
which he raises a variety of products, chiefly corn and cotton. He also raises 
considerable stock, to which his farm is especially adapted. 

* 
• • 

^ JAMES R. COTTINGHAM, Opelousas.— James R. Cottingham, planter 

and stock raiser, is a native of Louisiana, born in 1S40. He is a son of Ucal 

and Anne (Portham) Cottingham, both natives of South Carolina, reared and 

married there. Later, in 1844, they removed to Caldwell parish, Louisiana, 

where Ucal Cottingham engaged in planting. Mrs. Cottingliam died in 1856. 

Ucal Cottingham is still living, and resides with his son, our subject. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 15 

James R. Cottingliam received his education in the schools of Caldwell 
parish, and began life as a planter. In this he was engaged in Caldwell parish 
until 1885, when he removed to St. Landr}^ parish, where he has since had the 
control of an extensive cotton plantation in partnership with Captain Blanks, of 
Caldwell parish. 

I\[r. Cottingliam is considered one of the most methodical and successful 
planters of the parish. He also gives especial attention to the raising of a fine 
grade of stock. 

Mr. Cottingham lias married three times; his first wife, Molly Neighbors, 
he married in 1867. She died four years after marriage, having become the 
mother of two children: Anna, wife of Frank Wilson, Birmingham, Alabama; 
Russell, Birmingham, Alabama. In 1875 ^^ married Miss Laura Mafield, who 
died in 18S7, the mother of two children; and in 18S8 Mr. Cottingham married 
?*rrs. Ritzell, a daughter of Rev. N. M. Davis. 

* * 

H. P. COMEAU, Opelousas. — Mr. Comeau was born in Opelousas, July, 
1S66. He is the son of Clophas and Estelle (Roy) Comeau, both natives of 
Louisiana. His father, who is an extensive dealer in live stock, was born in St. 
Landry parish in 1837. He was reared here and educated in St. Charles Col- 
lege, Grand Coteau, Louisiana. He has been a planter and stock raiser all his 
life. He was colonel of a regiment from this parish, and served all through the 
civil war in the Confederate arm}^ He operated east of the Mississippi, chiefly 
in Virginia. The whole Comeau famihr are Roman Catholics. His great-grand- 
father was one of the exiled Acadians who located in Louisiana. Mrs. Comeau 
died in 1868. 

The subject of our sketch began life at the age of twenty-one years as a 
butcher, in Opelousas. In this business he has continued to the present time. 
Mr. Comeau owns and operates the Opelousas Meat Market at this place, which 
was built in 1880, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. He is now acting as 
deputy sheriff of St. Landrj^ parish, having been appointed by T- S. Fontenot. 
He is a young man of energy and enterprise. He married, in 1890, Miss Felicia 

Durio, dauohter of D. and E. Durio. * 

'^^ » » 

^ CLIFFORD H. COMEAU, Opelous.\s. — C. H. Comeau was born in St. 
Landry parish in 1864. His father and mother were both natives of St. Landry 
parish. The family is of direct French origin, his grandfather Comeau being 
born in France. Mr. Comeau is the oldest of the family. He began life as 
a dealer in live stock. Since his mariage in 1889, to Miss Eleanor Boagni, he 
has devoted himself chiefly to his plantation interests. He has a fine plantation 
of nearly one thousand two hundred acres near Opelousas. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Catholic church. 

Mr. Comeau is a man of the day, and is full of business, push and \\m. 



16 SOrVV/Jl 'EST L OUISIAXA : 

V THEODORE COREIL, Ville Platte —Theodore Coreil, a leading 
merchant and citizen of Viile Platte, is a native of the parish where he now 
resides. He was born in 1852. His father B. M. Coreil, was a native of France, 
and his mother, H. J. Soileau Coreil, is a native of Louisiana, of French extrac- 
tion. B. M. Coreil was for manj' years a citizen of St. Landr}- parish. He 
served as mavor of Ville Platte for a period aggregating fifteen years. He died 
in 1873. Mrs. Coreil died in 1865. Both were members of the Catholic 
church. 

Theodore Coreil was married in St. Landr\- parish, November 25, 1873, to 
Miss Mary D. Fontenot, of this parish. 

He began the mercantile business in 1874 ^^ this place. He does a large 
business. He is a member of the town council and a progressive citizen. 

JOHN D. CURRIE. Vii.le Platte.— Mr. Currie is a native of Missis- 
sippi, born in Adams county, February 28, 1850. He is the son of Rev. Daniel 
and Elizabeth (Hosea) Currie. His father was a native of South Carolina, and 
his mother of Mississippi. Thej' were married in Mississippi and became the 
parents of two children, the subject of this sketch being the only surviving 
member of the familv. Rev. Daniel Currie was a minister of the M. E. 
church, and a school teacher. He died in Mississippi in 1850, and his wife 
died the same year. 

John D. Currie was married in St. Landry parish, April, 1875, to Miss 
Amelia Grinn, a native of Louisiana, and the daughter of George and Christina 
Grinn, natives of Switzerland and Bavaria, respectively. George Grinn emi- 
grated from. Europe to Indiana, and from there to Louisiana, where he resided 
until the time of his death. He was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Both he and 
his wife were members of the Lutheran church. 

Upon first going into business for himself Jno. D. Currie was book-keeper 
for Hajes & Co. He entered the mercantile business at Ville Platte in j£>nu- 
ary. 1884, and he now carries a stock of goods of about $5000. In connection 
with his mercantile business he operates a large cotton gin. 

He is a member of the Catholic church and belongs to the Masonic order. 
Mr. and Mrs. Currie are the parents of five children, viz: Christina, Currie, 

''deceased) Hosea. Lizzie, Carria. » 

* * 

^ J. B. CLEMENTS, Opelousas. — J. B. Clements, of the insurance firm 
of Clements & Bros., was born in New Orleans In 1849. He received his 
education in the public schools in this city. He was for several years on the 
road as traveling solicitor for a stationery establishment of New Orleans. Some 
time since he came to Opelousas where he associated himself in the insurance 
business with Judge Morris : and upon his death he continued the business in 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 19 

his own name. He represents the following well-known companies: Liverpool, 
London and Globe Insurance Company, Mechanics and Traders Insurance 
Company, Sun Mutual, St. Paul, Securit}% and other companies. 

He married Nina, the accomplished daughter of T. H. Lewis, of Opelousas. 

To them have been born four children, Henry. Florence, Lilian and Ethel. 

* 
* » 

"^ W. F. CLOPTON, Morrow.— Dr. Clopton is a native of Avoyelles 
parish, Louisiana. His father was William Clopton, a native of Virginia; and 
his mother, Evelina Griffin, who was of an old Louisiana famil}'. William 
Clopton grew to manhood and received his education in Virginia, and removed 
to Avo3'elIes parish when comparatively ayoung man. Here he located, married, 
and devoted himself to planting. He died in 1872 at an advanced age. Mrs. 
Clopton died in 1S73 at the age of forty-fiv^e years. Both were consistent mem- 
bers of the Baptist church. Mr. Clopton's family is of the old English cavalier 
stock which has made Virginia " the mother of states and statesmen." 

The subject of our sketch was reared on a plantation, and received his 
education, principally, at Bethel College, Russellville, Kentucky. Shortly after 
leaving school he entered the medical department of the University- of Louisiana 
(now Tulane Universitj'), and graduated in 1872. After completing his course 
he practised his profession for a short while in Hines county, Mississippi, when 
he returned to Louisiana and located in St. Landry parish, since which time he 
has practised his profession in this place. Previous to the year 1889, the Doctor 
was located at Big Cane, Louisiana, at which time he removed to this place. 
He married, in 1874, Miss Julia Foote, of West Carroll, Louisiana, the accom- 
plished daughter of William and Sallie (Parker) Foote. The Doctor takes 
quite an active part in political affairs, although he is not an office seeker. Both 
he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. They are the parents of four 

children — two sons and two daughters. 

* 

^ WM. CHILDS, M. D., Opelous.\s.— Dr. Childs is a native of Arkansas, 
born in 1850. He is a son of Nathan M. and Charlotte R. (BeHn) Childs ; 
the former a native of Alabama, and the latter of Florida. Dr. Childs is one of 
a family of eight children, of whom five are now living. The Doctor had 
rather limited educational advantages, though he is a scholar. He remained 
with his parents until he attairted the age of twenty-four years, when he began 
teachmg in the public schools, at the same time pursuing a literary and medical 
course. In 1877 he entered the. office of Dr. Young, where he pursued a 
course of study, and in the fall of that year he entered the University of Louis- 
iana, being compelled to sacrifice what little personal property he had in order 
to pay the e.xpensesof his first course of lectures. 

He graduated and received his degree in 1879. after which he began the prac- 



20 SOrT/nrBST LOTIS/AXA: 

tice of his profession in St. Landry parisli. In April, 1S79, ^^^ removed to Port 
Barre, where he remained until April i, 1882, when, on account of the overflow, he 
had to remove his famil}'. He sold his propert}' there and removed to his pres- 
sent location, where he had previously purchased a tract of prairie land, to which 
he has added, until he now owns a fine plantation of from six to seven hundred 
acres. In 1887 he erected the finest residence in this portion of St. Landry. 
He had previously paid his chief attention to raising cotton and corn on his 
plantation; but of recent years he has turned his attention chiefly to stock raising, 
in order that it may interfere as little aspossible with liis professional work. He 
married, December 23, 1879, Mary C. Young, a native of St. Landry, and a 
daughter of Stephen W. and Marj' A. (Richards) Young. To this union there 
have been born six children, of whom five are now living. In October, 1888, 
Dr. Childs began a mercantile business, which he has since conducted with suc- 
cess. He is a member of the M. E. Church, South, of which he is clerk. The 
doctor has succeeded in building up a large practice, which pays him a hand- 
some income. * 

V MARTIN CARRON, Seeleyville.— Mr. Carron is a native of St. Landry 
parish, born near Washington, November, 1836. He is the son of Elienne and 
Artmease (Chartran) Carron, both natives of St. Landr}'. Our subject is one 
of a family of nine children, of whom three are now living. He received his 
education in the schools at Washington, and at the age of sixteen he was appren- 
ticed to George McCann, of New Orleans, where he learned the machinist's 
trade. He remained with Mr. McCann about two years, and completed his 
apprenticeship on the river. 

In 1880 he opened a shop on his plantation, and now makes and repairs all 
kinds of machinery. He also conducts an agency for the sale of farm imple- 
ments. 

He married, in 1S67, Elizabeth Chachere, daughter of Constance and 
Celestine (Lavergne) Chachere, both of whom are natives of St. Landry, of 
one of the oldest families here. Mr. Carron and wife are the parents of two 
daughters; Zoe E., wife of R. V. Richards; and Minerva E. In 1862 Mr. Car- 
ron enlisted in the Confederate States service, first in Fuller's Company, after- 
ward assigned to duty with the Crescent Regiment. He was engaged in the 
battles of Bisland and Mansfield, and was in many other minor engagements. 
During his service with Captain Fuller, he was on gun-boats and took part in a 
number of marine engagements. He received, during his service, two or three 
slight wounds, but was never seriously injured. He served until the close of 
the war. He was elected justice of the peace in 1874, ^"*^ ^" ^^^^ capacity 
served four years. In 1879 '^"^ ^^''^^ elected a member of the Legislature, and 
afterward a member of the Constitutional Convention, in 1880. In 1SS7 he 



niSrORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 21 

was appointed member of the Police Jury. lie is a member of tlie Farmers' 
Alliance and has been President of Union No. 47S. He and his family are 
members of the Roman Catholic church. 

Mr. Carron lias a beautiful plantation of about three hundred and fifty 
acres, which is located in St. Landry and the adjoining parish of Acadia, 

upon which he raises rice, corn, and various other cereals. 

* 

•^ E. J. CONWAY, St. Landrv. — Edward J. Conwaj- is probably the most 
extensive stock raiser in St. Landr}' parish. His beautiful prairie plantation, 
consisting of a largfe tract of land, is well stocked, and is one of the most 
desirably located places in this section. Mr. Conway is a native of Louisiana, 
born in St. James parish in 1857. He is the son of Captain Thomas and 
Clementine Conway. Capt. Thos. Conway is a native of Alexandria, Va., and 
received his education at that place, removing to Louisiana in 1855, where he 
married, and was for many years engaged as captain on a Mississippi steam- 
boat. He now resides in New Orleans, and is Marine Inspector for the Crescent 
and Teutonia Insurance Companies of that cit\-. There is a romance connected 
with the origin of the Conway family in America, which may be interesting to 
briefly relate. 

Our subject's grandfather, Robert Conway, was a native of Wales, and_ 
located in \'irginia when a young man. The first of the Conway family, on the 
mother's side, of whom we have an}' account in America, was Maurice Conway, 
who came from Ireland to act as Secretar}^ of State for Mr. O'Reilley, who was 
then Governor General of Louisiana under the Spanish regime. He came to 
Louisiana at the solicitation of Governor General O'Reilley, whohad previously 
arranged that he should marry some lad}' whom he had selected in New Orleans, 
but in this he was disappointed, as Mr. Conway brought with him a wife and 
two children. Seeing the great displeasure which he had unwittingly incurred 
in not being able to act according to the Governor's desires, lie purchased a 
tract of land on the Mississippi River from the Homer Indians, on which he 
located. Here he spent the remainder of his life. To him the Conway family 
of Louisiana traces its ancestr}-. 

Edward J. Conway was reared and principally educated in New Orleans. 
He completed his education at St. Mary's College in that city. Upon the 
completion of his studies, at the age of sixteen years, he was for some time 
engaged with different wholesale grocery houses there. In the y6ar 1884 he 
removed to St. Landry parish and began planting. In 1886 he married Miss 
Adella Dai re, a native of St. Landry parish, and a daughter of Prosper and 
Lucia (Fontenot) Daire. 

Mr. Conway is one of the most prosperous planters and stock raisers of his 
section. He has on his land from five to six thousand head of c»ttle, besides 



22 SOUTHWEST L OLTS/AXA : 

quite a number of horses and mules. lie is a tliorougli-going business man, and 
his success in life is greatly due to the push and energy which characterizes all 
his efforts. * 

^ HENRY MAYS CAGE, Washington.— Henry Hays Cage is a native of 

Terrebonne parish, Louisiana, born in the J'ear iS6o. His father, Albert G. 
Cage, was a native of Louisiana and an extensive sugar planter. He was quite a 
prominent man in Terrebonne parish; served at different times as sheriff of his 
parish, and represented it twice in the State Senate. He died in 1870 at tlie 
age of foity-three j-ears. 

H. H. Cage is the fifth of a family of six children, three brotheis and three 
sisters. He was reared and received his preparatory education in Louisiana, 
and when fifteen years of age entered the Virginia Militar}' Institute, at Alexan- 
dria, where he took a three years" course. Upon the completion of his educa- 
tion he returned to Louisiana and embarked in a mercantile business at Homer. 
In this pursuit, however, he was not successful ; and, aft'er following it for about 
three years, he gave it up and became manager of an extensive sugar plantation, 
which he operated for about two years. After this he spent about three jears 
in New Mexico, where he had large stock interests. In 1889 he came to this 
place (Pleasant Hill plantation) and took charge as manager. The plantation 
is one of the most fertile and valuable in this section, and under his manage- 
ment it pa3's a handsome dividend. Mr. Cage is a refined and cultured gentle- 
man, and is an ornament to the social circles in which he moves. 

* 

^ HON. C. C. DUSON, Opelousas.— Hon. C. C. Duson, State Senator] 
from the Twelfth Senatorial District, composed of St. Landry and Acadia, wasi 
born on the Mermentau River, St. Landry parish, Louisiana, August 31, 1846. 
The history of C. C. Duson's father, Cornelius Duson, as he was known inj 
Louisiana, and the m^'stery so long thrown around his real family name, soundsl 
more like a legend culled from the days of romance, or of knight errantry, than 
the actual life of a citizen in this prosaic nineteenth century. He was born 
at Point Levis, opposite the city of Quebec, Canada, on the St. Lawrence River, 
June 8, 1819. He was the youngest of the family of si.x sons, and when the 
French rebelled against the English government, in 1837, all his familjs except 
himself, were found to be ultra English loyalists. But our 3'oung hero of 
seventeen years had a bosom friend and companion, one S. Lombert, whom, 
he had learned to love from childhood. Through Lombert's influence he 
was induced to join the French revolutionists : and as soon as this fact reached 
the ears of his family, Cornelius Duson was called before a family council, 
consisting of his father and five brothers. They remonstrated with and begged 
him not to disgrace their time-honored family name by joining in an attempt to 



p 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 23 

overthrow liis government. They stated to him that if not killed during the in- 
surrection, if the French cause was lost, he would be forced to suffer capital 
punishment for treason; further, that his oldest brother, John, had been ap- 
pointed to watch for all persons suspected of treasonable designs and report 
them to the officials, and that if he did not change his course his brother would 
be forced to take him in surveillance. But Cornelius Duson had his course 
mapped out, and his convictions were too strong to be changed. He stated to 
his people that if the French cause was lost they should never hear of him till 
the grass grew green over his grave. Having thus delivered himself, Corne- 
lius Duson, his companion, S. Lombert, and eight comrades started from their 
homes on an expedition far up the Ottawa River, to preach rebellion and raise 
forces among the woodmen and trappers. This adventure was cut short b}' 
eight of the ba^id of ten being captured by the English soldiers. Cornelius Du- 
son, however, escaped, and went far up the tributaries of the Ottawa River. 
He soon learned that his comrades were imprisoned at the town of Ottawa, 
and that the jailer was an Irishman. Going to Ottawa, then a small town, 
he formed the jailer's acquaintance, thinking to engage him in a " drinking 
bout."' The wily jailer indulged only moderately, and would taste not a drop 
around the jail. After thev had returned from a dram shop to the jail, he sus- 
pected evil designs in his new acquaintance and ordered him away. Corne- 
lius Duson had thrown his large hunter's cap on a heap of wood in the jail on 
entering, and, when ordered away, ostensibl}' reaching for his cap, he picked up 
a stick, knocked the jailer down, and secured the keys from his person, and 
helped his companions to make their escape. 

The}- then at once decided to make their way to tlie United States as quickly 
as possible. With this in view, they went to Kingston, which was then simply 
a ferrj-. The ferry boat was run by Duson's cousin. He utilized every avail- 
ing argument and means in the attempt to engage him to ferry them over to the 
United States shore ; but fear of the English government prevented him from 
doing so. As a last resort the party cut the boat loose, and ferried it across 
themselves, reaching the opposite shore far below the usual landing. They were 
pursued by the soldiers, and some of the partj' killed. Cornelius Duson escaped, 
though severel}' wounded from a musket ball, shot through his thigh. He 
secreted himself in the hut of a woodman until he recovered from his wound, 
after which he made liis way to Boston, Mass. There he found that a reward was 
offered for him by the English government. Upon hearing this he determined 
to travel further south, finally landing on the Mermentau River, in St. Landry 
parish, Louisiana, near Lake Arthur. He here formed the acquaintance of a 
seafaring captai/i by the name of John Webb, a native of Essex, England, 
and a pioneer on the Mermentau. He lo\'ed and married John Webb's daughter, 
when she was but fifteen years of age. The union was blessed with five 



24 sorvv/WEsr LOrVS/.LVA: 

children, of whom Hon. C. C. Duson is tlie eldest. Cornelius Duson afterward 
followed the trade of tanner and saddler, and lived his latter days in St. Martin's 
parish. He often related the story of his j'outhful experiences to his famil}', and 
how, among other things, his brother Michael broke an engagement to marry his 
boon companion's (S. Lombert) sister, because of the loyalty of the family to the 
French cause. He gave his famih- the full history of his people, of where they 
lived on the St. Lawrence River ; of their having established large lumber interests 
and saw-mills, which had been in the family for so man}- long yearl, but of the 
mystery of the name he bore he breathed not a word. He had often told his wife 
that when he died, he desired her to send his sons to visit those from whom he 
had separated himself through his loyalty to a cause he believed to be right. 
When he was ill he would tell his ph3-sician that he could not afford to die with- 
out knowing of it beforehand: so it was evident that he had. something of 
moment to reveal, but what that sometliing was could be judged with no degree 
of certainty until recent j-ears, as Cornelius Duson died suddenl\-— away from 
home — in the 3'ear 1857. 

Things remained in this condition until 1SS4, when, at his mother's solicita- 
tion, and to fulfill his father's request, Hon. C. C. Duson and his brother, W. 
W. Duson, made a visit to Canada and hunted out the places of which they had 
so often heard their father speak. They first went to the old sweetheart of their 
father's brother Michael, having secured her marriage name. Senator Duson 
asked her if she did not once have a lover by the name of Michael Duson, and 
related the incident. She said she had never before heard that name ; but that 
she was once engaged to Michael McNaughton, with whom she fell out. Thus 
baffled, the Senator and his brother, proceeded to the house of S. Lombert, 
the companion of their father's earlier 3'ears, certain they would at once 
learn all ; but when they mentioned the name Duson he said he was sure 
he had never heard it before. Senator Duson insisted that Lombert and 
his father had often rowed together the same boat and played at the same games 
when boys, and that when on the verge of manhood they had enlisted in the politi- 
cal scheme which was the cause of their separation. But still the old man insisted 
that he had never before heard the name Duson. Senator Duson then repeated 
the story of liis father's political adventure, and how Lombert had induced him 
to join the French, repeating the christian names of his father's brothers. 'Tvvas 
then the feeble old man burst into tears, and with an effort rose to his feet and 
said "No, no! I see it all now; you are Con's children" (Con, abbreviation for 
Cornelius). "Your name is not Duson, but McNaughton; let me lead you to 
your people." The Duson brothers were thunderstruck. Senator Duson, with 
his characteristic readiness, retorted, "No, if my father has had sufficient reason 
to change his name, and there is something dark in the background, I will never 
see my people !" But the old man soon assured him that the rebels of 1837 



///S'rOKJCAL AXD BIOGRAPJIICAL. 25 

were the patriots of 1884; that tlie McNaughton famil}- had long since procured 
a pardon from the English government for their brother Cornelius Duson Mc- 
Naughton, and had sent agents to Boston and elsewhere and advertised for him 
in all directions, but all in vain. 

The Dusons spent several months visiting their people in Canada, whom 
they found to be wealthy- and among the most cultured people in Canada. They 
returned home with the intelligence that they are McNaughtons, and not 
Dusons, and that instead of being of French blood they are purely Irish-Scotch 
Canadians ; their grandfather, William McNaughton, having been a native of 
Ireland, who settled in Canada. As subsequently ascertained, the father of the 
Duson family dropped the McNaughton part of his name on leaving Boston, 
Mass. It was further learned that he had a confidential friend in St. Martins 
parish, who repeatedly visited the neighborhood in Canada where the Mc- 
Naughtons lived, and that under a pledge to Cornelius Duson he kept him 
always informed of all particulars concerning the McNaughton famil}' in 
Canada, but never divulged his secret to them. Cornelius Duson McNaughton 
knew of his people advertising for him, and of their securing the pardon from 
the English government : but with terrible determination he kept his vow, and 
his people never did hear of him till *• green grew the grass over his grave." 

Hon. C. C. Duson was reared on a farm, and received a common school 
education. lie commenced his official career as deput}' sheriff of St. Landry 
parish under Sheriff Hayes, in 1866, and served until 1873, when he was elected 
sheriff of St. Landry, and served for fourteen consecutive years, when he 
resigned the office to accept the position of State Senator. The appreciation of 
these long years of service by the people of St. Landry is shown in the fact 
that the last time he was a candidate for the office, Mr. Duson received, in a total 
of six thousand two hundred votes, a majority of one thousand eight hundred 
and forty-three over a strong candidate. No other man in the same capacity in 
the State of Louisiana ever gained the reputation that Mr. Duson did during 
iiis fourteen years' service as sheriff. 

One of the first things he accomplished was the breaking up of organized 
bands of outlaws who had for years scourged the country and baffled all attempts 
to execute the law. In doing this he has followed criminals to the border of 
Mexico, into the mountains of the Indian Territory, and as far north as Illinois. 
He had three desperate fights in his attempts to capture fugitives from justice; 
he was at different times the target for the bullets of those whose only chance 
of escape from their just deserts lay in his removal from their path. A recital 
of some of his accomplishments in tins capacity will prove interesting. When 
he was acting deput)' under Sheriff Hayes, 1872, with two other deputies lie 
tracked the Guilroy brothers, noted criminals, who had long defied the law, to 
Catahoula parish. There a fight ensued, in which eight shots were fired— three 



-2r, so UTIIW 'ES T L O L VS/.1 A'A : 

by the Guilrb3's and five by the deputies, terminating in tlie deatli of botli of the 
Guilroy brothers. August 3, 1875, Mr. Duson captured Louis Rosseau, guilty 
of murder, in the Creek nation. August 10, 1875, a requisition was placed in 
his hands for the a[iprehension of John Slane, for a heinous crime. After a 
pursuit of twenty-nine days, he caught Slane in Western Texas, near San Saba. 
In 1879, '^^ pursued two horse thieves, and captured them, after fifteen days' 
search, at Bonham, Texas. One of the men was guiltj- of murder in Texas, 
and indicted in Arkansas for mail robber}-. The other had just been tried in 
Rapides parish for the murder of a negro. In March, 1S80, a requisition was 
issued for the arrest of one John Sonnier, wlio had been indicted for murder in 
St. Landry and Calcasieu, and wlio liad been a fugitive since Jul)', 187 1. Man}' 
fruitless efforts had been made to capture him, as he was regarded as one of the 
most wily and dangerous men that ever lived in Southwest Louisiana. Through 
diligent and persistent inquiry Mr. Duson finally learned that he was in Brazoria 
county, Texas. He at once started for that place to capture him, dead or alive. 
In company with Sheriff Noble and Deputy Sheriff Faut. of Harris county, 
Texas, he traced him to a convict camp, where Sonnier was guarding prisoners 
under the name of Miller. He was only captured alive by grappling with him 
before he could use his arms. Sonnier is now serving a life sentence inthepen- 
tenliarv at Baton Rouge. 

In March, 1881, a requisition was issued by Gov. McEnery on the governor 
of Illinois for one John Fahey, who, in February, 1881, had murdered and 
robbed his fellow-workman on the Payne plantation in this parish. Duson, with 
his usual detective skill, had traced out John Fahey's whereabouts, and, armed 
with his proper papers, went for his man and captured him. Fahey is now serv- 
in'f a life sentence in the Louisiana penitentiary. In April, 1881, Gov. McEnery 
issued a requisition for the arrest of one Rhett Clark, charged with murder. 
Within fifteen days Duson had Clark a prisoner at Fort Graham, in Northwest 
Texas, and he was brought back to answer the charge. The last but not least 
important arrest made by our champion sheriff was that of Lane and Brown for 
the murder of old man -Nuby on the Payne plantation a few years ago, when a 
terrible fight ensued, during which thirty- two shots were exchanged, Duson 
receiving two shots from Lane's pistol, and killing Lane in a hand-to-hand con- 
flict. Brown was captured and is now serving a life sentence in the State prison 
of Mississippi. It must be borne in mind that in tracing down and arresting 
those noted criminals a rare detective skill and a vast amount of energy and 
courage was necessary to successfully carry them out. 

Aside from his active official life, Senator Duson has been a leading spirit 
in all matters pertaining to the material interests of this section of the State. He 
is one of the leading members of the Southwest Louisiana Land Company, of 
which mention is made elsewhere, and the organization of Acadia parisli is due 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 27 

<Treatly to his influence. He and liis brother.W. W. Duson, are among the large 
tand owners of Southwest Louisiana and are the hirgest rice growers west of the 
Mississippi river. 

Hon. C. C. Duson was married in 1867 to Miss Isora A. Andrus, who was 
born in this parish. To this union liave been born eight children, viz: Morton 
E., Walter W.. Rodney R., Clayton C, Jesse, Meta, Lola and George. 

^ \DDISON DIMMICK. Opelousas.— Mr. Dimmick is a native of Penn- 
ylvania, born in Susquehanna county, July, 1829. He is one of a family of 
even children born to, Marshall and O. (Smith) Dimmick, natives of Connec- 
icut and Rhode Island, respectively. Marshall Dimmick was asuccessful farmer 
" of Susquehanna county. His parents were pioneer settlers ot this section ot 

^" Thl'subiect of our sketch was reared in the county of which his father was 
a native and received his primary education in the neighboring schools He 
■ completed his education in 1851, graduating from Harford University In 1853 
he n.arried, in Susquehanna county, Penn., Miss Louisa Carpenter, daughter ot 
Gen Amherst Carpenter, of the same State. Mr. Dimmick removed from 
Pennsylvania to Nebraska in 1856, and in 1857 he removed from there to Iowa. 
He was one of the founders.of the town of Onawa, the county seat of Monona 
county Iowa. In 1861 he returned with his family to Pennsylvania on a visit; 
while there he enlisted in the Army of the Potomac, under Gen Geo. B. 
McClellan. He was at the siege of Yorktown, the battle of Williamsburg, Fan- 
Oaks and the seven days' fight at Malvern Hill. He became Second Lieutenant 
of Co. I, 57th Pennsylvania .infantry. He was taken sick soon after the battle 
of Fair Oaks, and was sent to Newark, N. J., and from thence to Philadelphia, 
where he was discharged on account of disability. In 1862 he returned with his 
familv again to his home in Iowa. Here he remained, engaged in farming. 
Prioi- to The war he had practised law in this place, having been admitted to the 
bar at Woodstock, 111., in 1855. He for a while was editor of a newspaper m 
Nebraska, known as the " Nebraska Pioneer," and in Monona he was editor 
of the only paper published in that county for several years. He removed to 
S Landry parish, Louisiana, in November of 1875, where he bought a tract of 
twelve hundred acres of land, all of which he now has under cultivation. His plan- 
tation is situated seven miles south of Opelousas, and is one of the hues in ^le 
parish Mr. Dimmick also gives considerable attention to the mising of stock 
He owhas on his plantation from two to three hundred head of cattle and 
about seventy-five head of horses and mules. He is a member of the masonic 
fraternity and is government statistician for the parish ot St. Landry. 



28 SO irjil WES T LO UISIA XA : 

^ HON. GILBERT L. DUPRE, Opelousas.— Gilbert L. Dupiv, repre- 
sentative of St. Landry parish in the State House of Representatives, and a 
successful attorney of Opelousas, is a native of St. Landry, born September ::o. 
1S58. His great-grandfather, Jacques Duprc, was a pioneer of St. Landry 
parish, and a man of extensive influence and wealth. He was Governor of 
the State about the year 1830; was a member of the State Senate in the forties, 
and was at one time Presidential Elector from his district. He was a cattle 
king and extensive cotton planter. His grandson, Lucius J. Dupre, the father 
of our subject, was a graduate of belles lettres from the University of Vircrinia. 
and also a law graduate from the University of Louisiana. He became one 
of the most prominent attorneys of the State, and was elected Judge of the 
then Fifteenth Judicial District; was a member of the Constitutional Conyention 
of 1861; entered the Confederate States service as a private in the Ei'^hteenth 
Louisiana Regiment, but was transferred by the votes of the people to the Con- 
federate States Congress, where he served with distinction for a period of four 
years. He died in the maximum of his usefulness in 1869, at the age of fortv- 
seveii years. 

Gilbert L. Dupre was ten years of age at the time of his father's death, and. 
having a highly educated and refined mother, he was not forced to pay strict at- 
tention to schooling, and his only education was received at home; but he always 
had a taste for literature in a high degree, and has acquired quite a literary educa- 
tion. At the age of seventeen years he became an employe in the office of the parish 
clerk, where he remained until 1880. During this time he pursued a course of 
law study, and was admitted to the bar in New Orleans in i88r. After being ad- 
mitted to the bar he formed a partnership with Judge E. D. Estilette, of the 
Opelousas bar, and there began his practice. In June. 1S71, he married the only 
daugiiter of Judge Estilette. The result of his iiappy union is four children : 
Fannie Estilette, Marie Lucile, Ethel May, and Gilbert L.. Jr. In 1888 Mr. 
Dupre was made the regular nominee of the Democratic party for the State Leg- 
islature from his parish, and his popularity is evinced in that he received more 
than the party vote. He has served with distinction in the Legislature and was 
identified with the leading measures of that body during its deliberations. Mr. 
Dupre is characterized by his candor andthe earnestness with which he expresses 
his convictions. Whatever political differences may exist, even those opposed 
to him admit that Mr. Dupre acts from purely unselfish motives on all public 
questions. As an attorney he has a high standing. He is at present eno-ao-ed as 
the attorney for the Southwestern Louisiana Land Company tind also for the 
New Orleans and Pacific Railroad Company. 

•^ * * 

CAPT. LYMAN J. DODGE. Melville.— Capt. Lyman J. Dodge, the 
oldest railroad man in the State, was born in Oswego, N. Y., December 30, 



HISTORICAL AXn BIOGRAPHICAL. 29 

1825. He is the son of John and Sarah (Bullen) Dodge, botli natives of Massa- 
chusetts. They were married in New York and removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, 
where they resided the remainder of tlieir lives. John Dodge was an architect. 
Fie built a great many structures in Western New York. He retired from business 
when our subject was a boy. 

The subject of our sketch was the youngest of four sons and tlirec daughters, 
lie graduated from a private school near home. After the completion of his 
literary education he commenced the study of law. Although prepared, he did 
not apply for admittance to the bar, but gave his attention to railroad construc- 
tion. In 1849 h^ came to the State of Louisiana, and in 1853 was superintendent 
of crib work for the Jackson & New Orleans Railroad Company. He was 
afterward employed by the New Opelousas & Great Western, now Southern 
Pacific Railroad Company, in the capacit}- of road master: he was connected with 
the above named railroad compans* for a period of seventeen vears. During its 
occupancy by Confederate troops he was its Military Superintendent. He also 
commanded an engineering corps with the rank of captain. He has been con- 
nected with nearly every road in the State. His place of residence, until 18S2. 
was New Orleans, when he removed to Melville, St. Landry parish, and 
located. He assisted in building the celebrated bridge across the ^Vtchafalaya 
River at this place. Through his instrumentality a post-office was established 
here and he was appointed postmaster, which position he has since filled. He 
was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth F. Brantley. Mrs. Dodge is a member 
of the Episcopal church. Our subject is a Knight Templar, with a membership 

in New Orleans. * 

» * 

•^ CAPT. G. V. DODEZ, St. L.vndrv.— Capt. G. V. Dodez was born in 
Wayne county, Ohio, January S, 1842. He is the son of Daniel and Catharine 
(Jonte) Dodez, natives of Switzerland and France, respectively. 

Daniel Dodez came to the United States when quite a boy, and some j'ears 
after was married to the above mentioned lady in the cit\' of Philadelphia. 
They first located in Lewiston, Pennsylvania, whei'e they resided for about a 
year; the}' then removed to Wayne count}', Ohio, in 1849, and, while on a visit 
to New Orleans, he died. Mrs. Dodez survived him till 1S86: both were members 
of the Episcopal church. 

Our subject, the youngest of nine children, spent his early school days at 
Mt. Eaton, Wayne county, Ohio, and completed a thorough academic education in 
the high schools of that State. He came to New Orleans in 1859, with the 
idea of studying law under C. V. Jonte. but the war interfered, and in 1861 
he joined the Confederate. Guards, and was in active service during the whole 
war. At the close of the war he came to this place, where he began planting, 
and he now owns an admirable plantation of seven hundred acres, partially under 
cultivation. 



;;() SOr'riIWEST I. OVISIAJS'A : 

He married, in 1868, Martha M. Gordon, daughter of Ezekiel and M. M. 
Gordon, both natives of St. Landry parish. Mrs. Dodez died in 1873. She 
was the mother of two sons, George T. and LucienG. Both are thoroughly edu- 
cated and intelligent j^oung men. Our subject is a member of the Episcopal 
church, and also an active Mason. 

/ II. II. DESHOTELS, Washington. — Mr. Deshotels is an extensive planter 

and merchant, twelve miles west from Washington. He is a native of St. Lan- 
dry parish, and was born in the year 1849. He is the son of Ilildevert and 
Brigette (Delafosse) Deshotels, both natives of Louisiana. His father was en- 
gaged during his life as a planter. He enlisted in the Confederate States ser- 
vice, and died in 1863, at the age of forty years. His mother is still living. 
The subject of our sketch received his education in this parish, completing his 
course at St. Mary's Academy, at Opelousas. After leaving school he was for a 
short wliile engaged as a clerk on the steamer "Cleona," running from Washing- 
ton to New Orleans. After this he was for a period of two years engaged in 
planting, when he served for a period of three years as clerk in a mercantile 
establishment. He married, in 1868, Miss ZeHma Speyrer, of this parisli, a 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Speyrer. In 1877 Mr. Deshotels permanently 
located here, and began planting and merchandising, in which he has con- 
tinued with good success. He owns a fertile plantation and does a good mer- 
cantile business. He is a representative citizen, and has done much for the 
advancement of his communit}-. 
|, * » 

ARTHUR DEJEAN, Opei.ous.\s. — Arthur Deje^in constable of Opelousas, 
was born in St. Landry parish, 1852. He is the son of A. and U. (Roy) 
Dejean, both of whom were born in this parish. The subject of our sketch was 
reared here. He received his education in the public schools of the place. He 
was engaged in farming the old home plantation near Opelousas until 1890, 
when he was elected town constable. He also served as ex-officio town tax 
collector. 

Mr. Dejean is a descendant of one of the oldest families of St. Landry par- 
ish, his family being of the banished Canadian french settler. 

Mr. Dejean has never married. He is a devoted Roman Catholic-. 
J » * 

NOTLEY C. DEVILLIERS, Noti.kyvii.li:. — Notley C. Devillers, a 
prominent citizen and representative of an old and distinguished family, was 
born near where he now resides, February 14, 1841. He is the son of Antoine 
C. and Melicaire (Bordelon) Devilliers, both of whom are natives of St. Landr}- 
parish. Antoine C. DeviUiers died in 1863, at the age of fifty-five years : his wife 
.survived him until 1868, and died at the age of fifty j-ears. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 31 

The subject of our sketch spent his school days in St. Landry, and received a 
good classical education. In September, iS6i, he enlisted at Opelousas, Louisi- 
ana, in Capt. L. H. Garland's company of the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, in 
which he served until May, 1865, as an orderly in the ranks. He was at the 
battles of Pittsburg Landing and Camp Bisland. At Natchitoches he was taken 
prisoner and retained a short time at New Orleans, where he was paroled. At 
the close of the war Mr. Devilliers saw the necessity of going to work, his es- 
tate having suffered heavily from the depredations of the war. His father left 
him a patrimony of one hundred and fifty-six dollars, which he expended for 
live stock. By Mr. Devilliers' practical management, economy and enterprise, 
he has succeeded in accumulating a considerable amount of propert}-. In 1881 
he opened a store in the town of Notleyville, which was named in his honor. His' 
plantation on Bayou Teche is one of the finest in this section. Mr. Devilliers was 
married, in 1865, to Miss Amyrithe Devilliers, and they are the parents of seven 
liviner children. 



'■^ LUCIUS DAVID, St. Landry.— Lucius David, a son of J. B. and Elmire 
(Breaux) David, is a native of Louisiana, as were his paients. J. B. David was 
a prominent citizen of S. Landry parish, and at different times filled the position 
of justice of the' peace, assessor, and was sheriff of the parish f6r four years. 
He died in 1867, his wife surviving him until 186S. Both were members of the 
Catholic church. 

Young Lucius received an education such as the schools of his section 
afforded, and at the early age of sixteen lie enlisted in Company F, Eighth 
Louisiana Infantiy, and served during the war in the division which Stonewall 
Jackson commanded. He was in some of the most closely contested engage- 
ments of the war, among which were first and second Manassas, and the battles 
around Richmond. He was severely wounded in the latter part of the war, 
from which he was rendered unable for active service. 

After the war he returned to his home in St. Landry parish, where he was 
in the huckster business for about one jear, and subsequently be began farming, 
which business he has since continued. He was married, in 1869, to Miss 
Agnes Barousse. Mr. David has for a number years served as justice of the 
peace. He is now president of the Farmers' Alliance at West Bellevue. 



L. J. DOSSMANN. Ville Platte.— L. J. Do.ssmann, Police Juror 
from Ward 7, is a native of the parish, born May 29, 1862. He is one of a 
family of seven children born to Charles and Eleanor (Fontenot) Dossmann. 
His father was a native of France, and his mother of Louisiana. Charles 



32 socvv/irBsy /.or/syAA'A: 

Dossman was for several years engaged in the liunber business and followed 
steamboating for some time. He is now an active mercliant of Dossmann, this 
parish. Mrs. Dossmann died in 1S79. 

L. J. Dossmann was reared and educated in St. Landry parish, lie was 
married, in 1883, to Miss Octavie Dardeau, of St. Landry- parish. Thev are the 
parents of three children, viz : Charles A., Eva and Lawrence. 

Mr. Dossmann began merchandising in iS88on his plantation about one mile 
from Ville Platte, and has an e.xtensive business. He carries a stock of over 
$25,000 worth of goods. He also operates a grist mill and cotton gin. He owns 
two hundred acres of land, on which he raises corn and rice. He was appointed 
a member of the police jury in 1888 from the Seventh Ward, and is at present 
tlie incumbent of that position. He and his wife are members of the Catholic 

church. * 

* * 

^ ERASTE DURIO, Opelousas. — Mr. Durio, a planter residing four miles 
west of Opelousas, was born March i, 1851. He is the youngest of a family of 
twelve children born to Simon and Malene Durio, both natives of Louisiana. 
When Eraste Durio was eight years of age his mother 'died, and he was 
reared until he had attained the age of thirteen by his brother-in-law, Pierre 
Mauellire. At this age he began work for himself as a farm hand, which he 
followed for about two j'ears. He attended the common schools and received a 
good business education. At the age of about eighteen he became an employe 
in his brother's store, wliere he remained for three years, when he was married to 
Miss Emma Pitre, daughter of Francois and Eliza (Joubert) Pitre. Since his 
marriage Mr. Durio has given his attention exclusivel}' to planting. He has a 
good plantation, upon which he raises grain and stock. When it is recollected 
that Mr. Durio began life at the age of thirteen, without even a good suit of 
clothes, his success in life will be more appreciated. He is certainly a self-made 
man. Mrs. Durio died in March, 1S76; and in 1885 our subject married Delia 
Lauerne. Two children, Octave and Lyda, were the result of his first marriage. 

To tiie last union liave been born three children: May, Fey and Minnie. 

* 

DIOMEL DURIO, Opelousas. — Mr. Durio is a planter living near Opelou- 
sas. He is a native of the parish in which he resides, born June, 1843. 

Mr. Durio received tlie best educational advantages in the schools of the 
neighborhood in which he was reared. At the age of eighteen j'ears he enlisted 
in the Confederate service. Compan)' B, First Louisiana Artillery, in which 
regiment he served for two years. In 1S63 he organized a company of home 
guarils in St. Landry parish, for defence against "bushwhackers."' After the war 
was over he purchased the land where he now resides and engaged in planting. 

He was married, in 1867, to Louisa Pitre, daughter of Charles and Arelel 
(Joubert) Pitre. TIu-a' ha\'e four children. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 3:3 

Mr. Durio has for four 3^ears served as justice of the peace in his ward, and 
for lour years succeeding 1873 he served as deputy sheriff in St. Landry par- 
ish. He and his wife are members of the Cathohc church. 



ADLIN DURIO, Arnaudville. — Adlin Durio is a native of St. Martin 
parish, born November 12, 1838. His parents, Alexander Durio and Adline 
(Chautin) Durio, were natives of St. Landry and St. Martin parishes respec- 
tively. Alexandria Durio was a successful planter of St. Martin parisli, was 
prominent in local affairs and served as justice of the peace and member of 
the police jury for a number of 3'ears. He died in 1856, at the age of fifty-four 
years. Mrs. Durio died in 1855, at the age of thirty-five. There were born to 
them six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second. 

Adlin Durio spent his school days in St. Martin and St. Landrj^ parishes, 
and received a good practical education. Upon his father's death he gave his 
attention to planting, making a specialty of cotton and corn. In January of 1862 
he enlisted in the Confederate service, and served as Lieutenant in Company G, 
Yellow Jacket Battalion, which, two years later, was consolidated with the 
Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry. His regiment disbanded in Alexandria at the 
close of the war. Mr. Durio was in many active engagements, among which 
were Pleasant Hill, Norwood Plantatioo and Mansfield. At the last named bat- 
tle he received a gun shot wound in the right limb, from which he was disabled 
for some time. 

At the close of the war his capital consisted of a Confederate uniform and 
tliree hundred dollars in old debts. In 1866 he commenced planting on Bavou 
Teche, in St. Martin's parish. The first 3'earhis crop was destrojed and he was 
compelled to sell his plantation. In 1868 he commenced a mercantile business with 
a small stock of goods. In this he w-as more successful, and his efforts since 
that time have been attended with abundant success. His business amounts 
annuall}- to more than $20,000. Some years after opening his mercantile busi- 
ness he bought a plantation in St. Landrj^ parish, to which he has since added 
until he now owns twent3'-five hundred acres of land on Ba3'0u Teche. In 1888 
he was elected mayor of the the town of Arnaudville. He has never aspired to 
political honor, but has always taken a prominent part in political workings. He 
was united in marriage, in 1866, with Miss Anis Giiilbeau, of St. Martin's parish. 
She died in 1881, having become the mother of seven children, viz: Dr. A. C. 
of this place; Clara, Emma, Ida, Marie, Lucie Regenald, Lucy. In 1882 Mr. 
Durio was married a second time, to Miss Lizzie L. Gilbeau, and to them have 
been born four children Aldin, Jr., Carrie, Anis and Henr3'. Mr. Durio and 
family are members of the St. Joseph Catholic church of this place. 



34 SO UTIl WES r L O U I SI ANA : 

y LOUIS DEBAILLON, M. D., Villk Platte.— Dr. Louis Debaillon is a 
retired physician of Ville Platte. He is a native of St. Landry parish, born Oc- 
tober 4, i8to. His father, G. M. Debaillon, was a native of France, born in 
Paris in 1783. He removed to Louisiana and located in St. Landry parish when 
a young man, where he became a leading citizen. He represented St. Landry 
parish in the Legislature for a number of terms. Before he came to America he 
had served in the French Navy. He became one of the most extensive and 
wealthy planters of St. Landry parish before his death, in 1838. The mother of 
Dr. Debaillon died in 1834. 

Dr. L. Debaillon is the oldest of a family of nine children. He was for live 
years a student of Emmetsburg College, Maryland, and subsequent!}' pursued a 
course of medicine in the Medical College of Paris, from which institution he 
received his degree. He began his professional career in St. Landr}- parish, in 
1836, and was engaged in active practice until 1889, when, feeling the weight 
of his years, he retired from his professional duties. 

Dr. Debaillon was married in 1838, to Miss Amy Toledano, a native of 
Louisiana, born in New Orleans, 1822. They became the parents of twelve 
children, eight sons and four daughters. 

The doctor has prospered financially, and owns considerable propertx' in 
St. Landry parish. 

The sub-ject's maternal grandfather, Fontenot, was one of the first settlers 
of St. Landry parish, and the only man at that time who spoke English. lie 
also spoke the Indian language fluentl}'. 

Mrs. Dr. Debaillon died in this parish in 1S57. She was a member of the 
Catholic church. 

v^ CHRISTOPHER DIETLEIN, Opelousas.— Mr. Dietlein is a native of 
Bavaria, German)', born in the year 1826. His father, John T..Dietlein, and his 
mother, Christina Hilbert, were both natives of North Germany. By occupa- 
tion, his father was a farmer. He lived and died in Germany. 

Mr. Dietlein was reared in Germany. At the age of nineteen years he emi- 
grated to America, landing in New York, August 10, 1845. He spent two years 
in Pennsylvania and then removed to Louisiana. He located permanently in 
Opelousas in 1843, where he was for many years engaged as a cooper. 

In 1847 he was married to Mary Christina, who was born in Germany and 
removed with her parents to America. At the close of the war the mercantile 
business offering better inducements for the use of his capital than that in which 
he had formerly been engaged, in this Mr. Dietlein embarked and has since con- 
tinued. He has one of the largest mercantile businesses in the place; he owns 
two stores, and he and his son are large stock holders in the First National Bank 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 35 

of Opelousas. Mr. Dietlein begaa business on a very limited capital, and his 
business capacity has manifested itself in the extensive business which lie now 
co'nducts. 

He is the father of five children — three sons and two daughters. His eldest 
son, Antoine Dietlein, is associated with his father in business. 

Mr. Dietlein and his family are all Catholics. 

WALTER S. DURKE, Washington.— Mr. Durke, of the firm of Blake 
& Durke, druggists, is a native of Louisiana, born in the year 1861. He is the 
son of Michael Durke and Octavia Lee. Michael Durke was a native of B;ivaria. 
He was reared and received his education in that country and removed to Louis- 
iana when a young man, where he married our subject's mother. Mrs. Durke 
is of the old Virginia family of Lees, though a native of Louisiana. Her grand- 
mother was an aunt of Zachery Taylor. Mrs. Durke is still living in Lafayette. 

The subject of our sketch was reared and received his education in Louis- 
iana. He began active business as a clerk in a drug store in New Iberia. In 
1883 he came to Washington, where he began a drug business in partnership with 
J. A. Lee. Mr. Lee subsequently retired from business and Thomas N. Blake, 
the present member of the firm of Blake & Durke, took his place in the firm. 
Their business is large, and demonstrates the business push and energy which 
characterizes the individual members of the firm. Mr. Durke is recognized as 
one of the most progressive and energetic business men of Washington. 

* 

^ JUDGE E. D. ESTILETTE, Opelousas.— Judge Estilette was born in 
St. Landry parish, December 19, 1833. At an early age he entered St. Charles 
College, at Gi-and Coteau, where he remained six years. He then at the age of 
eighteen years, after going through the preparatory department, entered Yale 
College, taking a thorough classical course, and, in 1857, graduated, with the 
title of A. B. 

He married in New Haven, Connecticut, Miss Fannie T. Bacon, of that 
place. He then returned with his wife to his native parish, and engaged 
m school teaching, at the same time stud3'ing law. In i860 Judge Estilette 
was admitted to the bar. For a while after returning from college he 
edited a paper known as the " Opelousas Patriot," an independent organ, 
but favoring what was known as the Cooperative Party. This paper was de- 
stro}-ed by the first invasion of the Federals in the spring of 1863. He then 
turned his entire attention to the practice of his profession, until his appointment, 
in 1865, as District Attorney of the Eighth Judicial District, composed of the 
parishes of St. Landrj-, Calcasieu, Lafayette and Vermilion. He succeeded 
himself in office, holding the same position until 1868. In 1872 he was elected 



3'5 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

a member of the Legislature from St. Landry, and reelected in 1874. At this 
time Judge Estilette took a prominent part in what was known as the Wheeler 
Compromise, and, on its adoption, was elected Speaker of the House, wiiich re- 
sponsible position he held until the expiration of his term of office. He then 
resumed the practice of law and, in 1887, was appointed Judge of the Thirteenth 
Judicial District, composed of the parishes of St. Landry and Acadia. In 188S 
he resumed his practice, which he has closely followed since that time. During, 
the period of his lengthy practice, Judge Estilette has been associated with the" 
following legal lights: Late Judge John E. King, late Judge A. Bailey, and since 
the year 1880 with his son-in-law, Gilbert L. Dupre, a promising lawjer and at 
present member of the Legislature from St. Landry parish. 

^ H. E. ESTORGE, Opelousas.— H. E. Estorge, Deputy Clerk of the 
District Court, was born in St. Landry parish, Louisiana, January 17, 1859. He 
is the son of G. E. and Augustine (Chanin) Estorge. G. E. Estorge, the father 
of our subject, was born in St. Landry parish in 1823. He was educated in France 
and graduated from the school at Cahor. After completing his education he re- 
turned to America and became a successful merchant in Opelousas, where he 
was engaged until the breaking out of the war. He entered the Confederate 
States army and served through the whole of the struggle. Like many others 
■of those who fought for the " lost cause," he returned home broken in fortune. 
He accepted a position as book-keeper, and in this he was engaged at the time of 
his death, in 1872. The grandfather of H. E. Estorge, Jean Estorge, was a 
native of France, and emigrated to America and located at Grand Coteau. where 
he was engaged in business at the time of his death, in 1836. He was married 
to Miss Marie Therese Cestellie, and their union resulted in the birth of five 
children, of whom G. E. Estorge, the subject's father, was the oldest. Our 
subject's maternal grandfather, Gustave Chanin, was also a native of France. 
He emigrated to America and located in Louisiana, where he was engaged in 
business until his death, in 1870. His wife, our subject's grandmother, Phelo- 
nise Wyble, was a native of St. Landry parish, Louisiana. She died in 1882. 
The mother of our subject was the eldest child. 

H. E. Estorge was educated in the local schools of St. Landry parish. The 
first business in which he engaged was that of a book-keeper. Mr. Estorge's 
sterling ability was recognized by the people of Opelousas, and in 1884 he was 
elected a member of the town council, and was reelected in 1886. At the same 
time he was elected mayor of the city of Opelousas. In this office Mr. Estorge 
exhibited his excellent executive power and his administration as Mayor was a 
satisfactory and popular one. In 1888 he accepted a more remunerative po- 
sition as deputy clerk of the District Court. He was made clerk of the pofice 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 37 

jury of St. Landry parish in 1889, which position he now fills in conjunction 
with the deputy clerkship. Mr. Estorge is looked upon as a rising man in St. 
Landrv parish and the subject of future honor at the hands of the people. He 
was married January 23, 1879, ^o Miss M. A. Robin. To them have been born 
four children, viz: Julia P., Mathilde C, Mary, Nita. He and family are mem- 
bers of the Roman Catholic church. 

* * 
^ CHAS. N. EALER, Opelousas.— Chas. N. Ealer, jeweler, is a native of 
AUentown, Pennsylvania, born January 8, 1S23. The farthest back that there is 
anything extant on the history of the Ealer family are facts concerning Peter 
Ealer, a druggist, of Baltimore, Maryland, who was of German extraction, 
probably born in Baltimore. Peter Ealer's son, John, was the father of our sub- 
ject. 

John Ealer was born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1793, and there he learned 
the trade of jeweler and watch maker. He remained in Baltimore until about 
1812 or 1813, when he removed to AUentown, Pennsylvania, where he entered 
business for himself. In 1815 he was married to Miss Catharine Weis, born 
1779, died 1866. There were born to this marriage eight children, six of whom 
grew to maturity: William, Joseph, Henry A., Charles N. (the subject of this 
sketch), Mary and George. Of these, three are living. John Ealer remained 
in AUentown, Pennsylvania, until 1829, when, with his family, he returned to 
Baltimore, and followed his business there until 1834. I" this year he removed 
to St. Louis, Missouri, where he died in 1848. At this place Joseph, the second 
son, and Charles N., our subject, learned the trade of their father. 

Charles N. Ealer alternately went to school, steamboated, and worked in 
his father's store until 1840. He was engaged in steamboating on the Missis- 
sippi from the head of navigation to New Orleans ; on the Illinois, as far as Peru ; 
on the Missouri, as far as Charieston ; and on the Ohio as far as Louisville. 
From 1840 to 1843 Charles N. Ealer worked at his Irade in St. Louis, and be- 
came proficient in it. In 1843 he went to New Orleans, Louisiana, and was en- 
"■ao-ed as a journeyman until 1S45, when he removed to Opelousas, and has since 
been in business at this place. Mr. Ealer was married, in 1846, to Miss Helen, 
daughter of John and Margaret (Chisholm) MacDonald, both of whom are 
natives of Scotland, born about the year 1790. John McDonald was for many 
years a seafaring man, and was aboard the "John Adams" when she ran the 
blockade in Chesapeake Bay, 1812. He was also a civil engineer, and during a 
portion of his life gave his attention to this calling. He and his wife spent their 
declining years in Opelousas, dying in 1870 and 1876 respectively. Mrs. Chas. 
N. Ealer was born in Cheraw, S. C, 1828, and was reared in Covington, Louis- 
iana. She died in Opelousas, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Ealer became the parents 
of two children, only one of whom is living — Effie — who is now a resident of 



38 SO UTII WEST L O UISIA NA : 

this place. Helen Perkins, a niece of Mrs. Ealer, was reared by them. She 
was a brilliant and accomplished lady. She married George L. Pitate, only 
living about three months after the birth of her first child. From 1863 until the 
close of the war, Charles N. Ealer was Confederate States assessor for St. Lan- 
dry parish. Mr. Ealer has been especially active in building up the public 
schools of St. Landry parish. He has been for thirteen consecutive years on 
the board of school directors, and is still one of its most active members. He 
is recognized as one of the highest authorities on all parish matters, being in 
possession of a remarkably full fund of accurate information pertaining to the 

different departments of the parish. 

* 

* » 

^ W. EVANS, Plaisance.! — Mr. Evans, a successful merchant of Plaisance, 
is a native of Kentucky, born 1863. He is the son of W. S. and Arta B. 
(Haynes) Evans, both of whom are natives of Kentucky, where they were raised, 
married and became the parents of ten children. They now reside in Acadia 
parish, Louisiana. 

The subject of this sketch removed to St. Landr}^ parish, Louisiana, 1840, 
locating in the town of Plaisance. Here he engaged in merchandising, in which 
lie has prospered. He also owns and operates a large combined cotton gin and 
gristmill at this place. He is one of the most successful and influential business 
men of his neighborhood. Since 1886 Mr. Evans has been post-master at this 
place. 

He married, 1886, Miss Mamie L., daughterofE. L.andElmira Blockshea. 
They are the parents of two children — E. B. andTheo. W. 

« 

* « 

^ T. S. FONTENOT, Opelousas.— Mr. Fontenot xvas born in St. Landry 
parish in 1S47. He is the son of Simeon and Pauline (DeRouen) Fontenot. 
The Fontenot family is one of the historic Creole famihes of the State. They 
have become very numerous in this section, so much so that their number is 
almost inestimable. 

Sheriff Fontenot was reared on a plantation and educated in the local 
schools. He began mercantile business and planting at the age of nineteen 
j-ears. Although young, he made his dual undertaking a success frmo the be- 
ginning, and has arisen to be recognized as one of the well-to-do citizens of 
St. Landry parish. He still owns his plantation, but has ceased to conduct the 
mercantile business. Although he conducted his own business with the most 
minute preciseness, he has found time to devote to public interests as well. He 
served as a member of the police jury from 1871 to 1874, ^n<^ was elected to the 
State Senate in 1S78, where he served until February i, 1886, when he re- 
signed. He served during the term that called the Constitutional Convention, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 39 

for the purpose of abolishing the Louisiana State Lotter}', and is one of the most 
uncompromising opposers of the proposition to re-charter it. He acted, during 
his long period in the Senate, in concert with such men as Cunningham, Foster, 
Newton, Parlange, B. W. Marston and J. C.Vance. The official career of Mr. 
Fontenot was eminently satisfactory to his constituents, and he was elected 
sheriff of St. Landry parish in the April election of 1888; his term will expire in 
1892. Mr. Fontenot was married, in St. Landry parish, to Miss Marie C. 
ITebert, a native of St. Landry. They are the parents of eight living children, 
four sons and four daughters: Bertha, Bathilde, Ludovic, Beatrice, Darius, 
Rhea, Ariel and Joel. Mr. F., and his- family are stanch members of the 
Roman Catholic church. In the contest for sheriff, Mr. Fontenot announced 
his name only five days prior to the primary election, and although the field had 
already been closely canvassed by competing candidates, he received the nomina- 
tion bv acclamation. 

* * 
V OZEME FONTENOT, Washington. — Ozeme Fontenot, planter and mer- 
chant, eight miles west from Washington, is a native of St. Landry parish, and 
was born where he now resides in 1846. He is the son of Alexandre Fontenot 
and Hyacinthe Jaubert, both natives of St. Landry parish. His father was a mer- 
chant and planter on quite an extensive scale. He purchased and operated during 
his lifetime', the plantation where his son Ozeme Fontenot now resides. He was 
one of St. Landry's most prominent citizens, and died in 185 1, at the age of 
forty-six years. Mrs. Fontenot survived him until 18S1. 

The subject of our sketch was reared and received an academical education 
in St. Landrj' parish. In 1S62, at the age of sixteen, he left school and enlisted in 
the Confederate States service, joining Company A, Second Louisiana Cavalry. 
His field of operations was principally in Louisiana, and he was in all the chief bat- 
tles in which his department was engaged. He surrendered at Washington, Louis- 
siana. After the war he returned home and took charge of his mother's plantation, 
which he purchased in 1881, and has since operated with success. He married, 
in November, 1865, Miss Ernestine Debaillon, daughter of Dr. Louis Debaillon, 
oneof St. Landry's oldest and most honored citizens. Mr. Fontenot, though active 
in political affairs, has never chosen to accept any position of trust, preferring to 
live a retired hfe. He is the father of one child. Alma, wife of Dr. James H. 
Parker, of Ville Platte, this parish. He and his family are all Catholics. Mr. 
Fontenot has a beautiful and fertile plantation of over a thousand acres of land, 
which he cultivates in cotton. Mrs. Fontenot c^ied in 1887, at the age of thirty- 
eight vears. 

* 
» * 

^ O. B. FONTENON, Villk Plattk.— O. B. Fontenon, a planter residing 

in Ward 7 of St. Landry parisli, is a native of Louisiana. He was born in St. 



40 6' O UTHWES T LO III SI A NA : 

Landry parish, November 28, 1829, and is tlie son of Joseph and Genevieve 
Fontenon, both natives of St. Landrj^ parish. Joseph Fontenoii was a phinter. 
He served in the war of 1812, and was one of the pioneers of St. Landry parish. 
He died in 1865. His wife died about 1853. Both were members of the Cath- 
ohc church. 

O. B. Fontenon was reared and educated in St. Landry parish. He has 
been a planter all his life. He has a pUmtation of six hundred acres, which he 
cultivates principally in cotton and corn. 

Mr. Fontenon was married, in 1848, to Miss Elodie Liton. They became the 
parents of three children, to-wit : Gustave, Laura and Enostine. Mrs. Fontenon 
died in 1857, and Mr. Fontenon married a second time, in 1858, Miss Lilia B. 
Fontenot. Their union has been blessed with seven children: Thiogene, Rai- 
mond, Onoria, Eugenie, Lisa, Gilbert and Onazine. Mr. Fontenon and famil}- 
are all members of the Catholic church. 

» * 
V PAUL FOSTER, M. D., Opelousas.— Dr. Foster is a native of Louisi- 
ana, born in Avoyelles parish, December 11, 1857. His father was Dr. David 
Walker Foster, and his mother Malissa(Sperlack) Foster; the former a native of 
Tennessee, born about 1824, the latter a native of Mississippi, born in 1839. 

The subject of our sketch is one of a family of twelve children, five sons 
and seven daughters, of whom six are now living. The doctor's educational 
advantages during his boyhood days were quite limited. Lnmediately after the 
war his father emigrated to Central America, where he remained for a short 
period, endeavoring to establish a colony in British Honduras. Returning to 
the United States, he stopped at New Orleans, from thence removing to Hous- 
ton, Texas, and from thence to Harrisburg, thence back to Opelousas. He sub- 
sequently located at Ville Platte, where he remained for about four years, when 
he removed to his present location. At the age of sixteen years our subject 
began the study of medicine in his father's office, and at the age of nineteen 
matriculated in the medical department of the University of Louisville, graduat- 
ing at the age of twent3'-one. He began the practice of his profession in associa- 
tion with his father atPlaquemine Ridge, where he remained for about two 3'ears, 
when he removed to his present location. In the winter of 1S84 he purchased a 
small prairie plantation to which he has since added, until he now has quite a 
nice plantation. In 1881 the Doctor married Miss Emma Daniel, a native of St. 
Landry, and daughter of J. \V. and Mary E. Daniel, the former a native of 
Alabama and the latter of Mississippi. To them have been born two children. 
Robert and Marion H. From the time Dr. Foster began his practice, in 1882, 
he has had a large practice, and at the present time has as much as he can attend 
to. Both the Doctor and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in which he is a steward. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 41 

*^ GEORGE N. FITZHUGH, Washington.— George N. Fitzhugh was born 
in Fauquier county, Virginia, October 29, 1873. The Fitzhugh family is an old 
and prominent one in the United States. The first of the family in this country 
were tw» bi^otliers of that name (wealthy lawyers) who came from England to 
Virginia in Cromwell's time; and all the Fitzhugh family in America, so far as 
known, are their descendants. George N. Fitzhugh's paternal grandmother 
(who was a Diggiy was a full cousin of William H. Harrison's father. His pa- 
ternal grandmother was a niece of George Washington. 

Our subject is the son of Henry and Henrietta Fitzhugh, both nati\-es of 
Virginia. He was reared and received his education in Virginia. He has a 
brother and a sister who now own a part of the original estate of George Wash- 
ington, at Ravensworth, now West Virginia. Colonel Fitzhugh's father was 
a farmer. He was an unassuming although a very worthy citizen. He died 
on his estate at Ravensworth at an advanced age. His mother died in the year 
1S82, at Charleston, West Virginia, at the age of ninety-two years. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm and has followed farming 
during most of his lifetime. He married, in 1849, Miss Sarah Kemp, of Fauquier 
count}', Virginia. In June, 1861, at the beginning of the war, he enlisted in 
Company E, Twent\'-si.\th Virginia Infantrj', and was appointed by General 
Wise, quartermaster, which position he only held a short while, resigning 
and taking his former place in his regiment, where he served about eighteen 
months, when, as his health was so impaired that he was unfitted for active 
service, he was again appointed quartermaster, in which capacity he served until 
1S64, when, being of the proper age, he was granted an honorable discharge. 
His duties were so faithfully discharged that General Sam. Jones said of him 
that he was the most competent quartermaster in the whole army. After leav- 
ing the army he was for about a year engaged in the mercantile business at 
Blacksburg, Virginia, in which he was very successful. Had the currency been 
of current value, instead of Confederate States mone}', he would have been 
wealthy. In the year J870, in partnership with his brother, T. B. Fitzhugh, he 
purchased a large sugar plantation near St. Martinsville, but unfortunately lost 
it through a defective title. Since that time he has resided in St. Martinsville, 
New Iberia, and, in 1887, he removed to Washington, where he has lived a retired 
life, his circumstances being such as to render an active business life unneces- 
sary to one of his advanced age. He is the father of one child, Kate, the wife 
of Mr. P. J. Russell. Mr. Fitzhugh and family are all members of the Episcopal 

church. » 

* « 

^ A. H. GENERES, Opelousas. — A. H. Generes, hotel and Hvery proprie- 
tor in Opelousas, was born in Avoyelles parish, 1851. He is the son of J. L. and 
L. (Taylor) Generes. J. L. Generes was a native of Virginia, where he was 
reared and educated, fitting himself for the profession of law. He early in life 



42 SOUTHWEST L OUJSIANA : 

removed to San Antonio, Texas, where he practised for some time. Later he 
located in Avoyelles parish, Louisiana, and became an official of the parish. He 
now resides in New Iberia. Our subject's grandfather was from the island of San 
Domingo. His great-grandfather was masacred in a negro insurrection at that 
place. His grandfather was at that time in a school in Paris. Our subject's 
great-uncle escaped massacre b)^ being secreted in a sack and carried to the ship 
by family servants. The remainder of the family escaped to a ship and came 
to America, locating in Maryland. 

The subject of our sketch was educated in the commonschools and colleges 
near his home. After leaving school, he was for a number of years a clerk in 
New Orleans. For some time subsequent to this he gave his attention to sugar 
planting. Later he entered his present business at this place. In this he has 
been very successful, and his business is one of the best of itskindin Opelousas. 
Mr. Generes was married in Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Miss Louise Gaudet. 
They are the parents of five children : Walter, Eloise, Allen, Hazel and Gaudet. 
Mr. Generes and family' are members of the Catholic church. 

^ S. J. GOSSELIN, Opelousas. — S. J. Gosselin was born in Opelousas, Ma}^ 
21, 1859. He is the son of Pierre N. and Virginia (Greffil) Gosselin. Pierre 
N. Gosselin is a native of France, born Januar\- 2, 1S24. He came to America 
in 1S45, first locating in Iberville parish, where he remained until 1848, when he 
removed to Opelousas, at which place he has since followed the trade of wheel- 
wright. Here he married our subject's mother, who is of French extraction, 
born 1834. There have been born to them six children, all boys, of whom four 
are living: Albert P. (born 1853, now a resident of Marksville, Louisiana), S. 
J. (subject of this sketch), Arthur L. (born 1870, now a resident of Opelousas), 
and Louis (born 1872). Those deceased are Victor and Lucien. Pierre Gos- 
selin still works at his trade in Opelousas. 

S. J. Gosselin, the subject of our sketch, grew to manhood in Opelousas, 
and was educated in St. Marj^'s Academy of this place. 'At the age of nineteen 
he entered his uncle's blacksmith shop in Opelousas, where he served a three 
j^ears apprenticeship. He then removed to Plaquemine Ridge, six miles west of 
Opelousas, where he located, and still resides. He has successfully operated a 
blacksmith and repairing shop since 1879. He owns a plantation consisting of 
one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, on which he cultivates corn, cotton 
and rice. He is a successful business man and a worthy citizen. He married, 
September 30, 1884, Mrs. Wilson Bihm, daughter of V. and Julienne (Legere) 
Bordelon. They are the parents of four children : Octavie (born June 13, 
1886), Virginia (born October 22, 1887), Ida (born November 14, 1888), and 
Marie (born November 16, 1890). Mr. Gosselin and family are all members of 
the Catholic church. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 43 

CARLOS GREIG, Washington. — Carlos Greig, editor and publisher of 
the Washington Advocate, Washington, Louisiana, was born in St. Martins- 
ville, Louisiana. The Greig family prides itself in being able to trace its an- 
cestry to Charles Dayme de Noailles, who married, 1715, Marie Le Maret, to 
whom were born four children. 'One of the daughters, Catharine Dayme, 
married Pierre Harpin de la Gautrais. To them was born one son, Pierre 
Rene Harpin, who married three times, his third wife being Le Bienvenu. 
They had one daughter, Marie Louise Celeste Harpin, who married, 1779, 
Gonsoulin De Beaumelle. They became the parents of thirteen cliildren, among 
whom was Marguerite Adelaide Gonsoulin, who married William Greig. This 
union was blessed with several children, William Greig, Jr., being one of the 
number. Wm. Greig, Jr., was a native of Louisiana, and was during most of his 
lifetime engaged in steamboating on the Teclie, from St. Martinsville to New 
Orleans. During the war he served as Sheriff of St. Martin parish. He mar- 
ried when a young man Miss Emelie LeBlanc, and to them were born ten chil- 
dren, Carlos, the subject of this sketch, being of the number. 

Young Carlos spent his boyhood da3's at the place of his birtli, receiving 
his principal education at Judice College, St. Martinsville, Louisiana. He began 
life as a book-keeper in a general mercantile house in St. Martinsville. This, 
however, did not prove congenial to his tastes, and after following it a short time 
he began a mercantile business for himself. In 1884 he withdrew from this and 
founded "The St. Martinsville Reveille," a weekly newspaper, which he pub- 
lished until 1888, when he removed to Washington and founded the " Washing- 
ton Advocate," a local weekly newspaper of merit. 

Mr. Greig has devoted much of his leisure time to music, and some of his 
compositions are well and favorably known. He has organized and instructed 
several brass bands at different places in the State. He married, 1879, Miss 
Laura, daughter of Colonel Valsin Fournet, a former prominent citizen of St. 
Martinsville. Mr. Fournet was Colonel in the Confederate States service. He 
was for thirt}^ years Clerk of the Court in St. Martin's parish. He died 1879, 
at the age of fift^^-eight years, revered b}' all who knew him. 



CAPTAIN THOMAS C. GIBBENS, Washington.— Captain Thomas C. 
Gibbens, a large saw-mill owner and planter, is a native of Henderson, Ken- 
tucky, born in the year 1831. He is a son of William B and Elizabeth (Hath- 
away) Gibbens, both natives of Kentuck}-. His father was a mechanic, and was 
for man}- years engaged in the manufacture of implements. He removed to 
Louisiana in the year 1830, and died at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1849, at the 
age of about forty-four years. His mother died in 1886, aged sixtj'-five years. 

Captain Gibbens was chiefly reared and educated in Louisiana. He began life 



44 SO urn WES t lol 'is /a na .■ 

as an engineer in sugar mills, and subsequently was engaged in steamboating on the 
Teche. In the year 1855 he began the operation of a saw-mill at Port Vincent, 
Louisiana, in which he engaged until the war. He married, in 1S60, Miss Agnes 
Scivique the accomplished daughter of Vincent and Celestes Briniact, of Liv- 
ingston parish, Louisiana. Captain Gibbens was exempt from war service 
owing to disablement from a broken limb, consequently did not enlist in the 
service. The captain's family' have nearly all been of a mechanical turn of 
mind, and he exhibits a remarkable tendency in this direction. He is now chief 
engineer in a large 'sugar manufacturing establishment at Washington. He is 
the father of one child, Lizzie, the wife of James Nicholson, who is a partner 
with Captain Gibbens in his saw-mill interests. 



V COL. JOHN CRAWFORD GILLESPIE, Opelousas.— Col. Gillespie is 
one of St. Landry parish's most progressive and successful planters. The 
Colonel is a native of Montgomery county, Virginia, born January 8, 1816. He 
is the son of Samuel P. V. and Polly (Crawford) Gillespie, both of whom are 
natives of Virginia. Samuel P. V. Gillespie was a Methodist minister of ability. 
He at times presided over churches in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama 
and Mississippi. He was a man of remarkably robust constitution, weighing 
two hundred and forty pounds, and being six feet and four inches in height. In 
1842 he removed to Trinitj', Louisiana, where he was engaged in his ministerial 
labors up to the time of his death in 1850. His wife survived him until i860. 

Both our subject's maternal and paternal grandparents were natives of 
\'irginia, and both his grandfathers were soldiers of the Revolutionary War. 
Col. Gillespie was educated in Tennessee and Kentuck}-. He received his first 
tutorage under ex-Senator William Gwin, of California. At the age of eighteen 
vears, he removed with his parents to Livingston, Alabama. Here he served at 
different times as Coroner, Justice of the Peace, Deputy Sheriff, Clerk of 
Probate Court, and "Deputy United States Marshal. 

In 1873 ^^ emigrated to Bryan, Texas, where he served as clerk of the 
district four }'ears. He married, in 1842, Miss Evalina N. Foard, the daughter 
of Major Francis Foard, who was a native of North Carolina, but long a resi- 
dent of Alabama. He was a man of considerable promise, and was an officer 
in the war of 1812. Mr&. Gillespie is the only surviving member of a family of 
twelve children, and Col. Gillespie is the only surviving member of a family of two 
children. He is the father of two daughters, viz : Ella and Bettie. The former 
married F. M. Hale. Bettie married Johnson C. Williams, and they became 
parents of two children. Bdth Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Williams are now deceased. 
Col. Gillespie came to Opelousas in 1880 to take charge of his wife's estate, since 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 45 

which he has devoted his time to the operation of the same. He is a devout 

member ot the M. E. Church, South. He is an atlable, hospitable gentleman, 

and liis life is a reflection of usefulness. 

* 
^ * * 

JAS. L. GUILBEAU, Grand Cotkau. — Mr. Guilbeau is a successful 
planter living near Grand Coteau. He was born near this place on the nth day 
of INIarch, 1847. He is the son of Lucien and E. (Maj'er) Guilbeau, both of 
whom are natives of Louisiana. Lucien Guilbeau, in the earlier years of his 
life, was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but later gave his attention to planting. 
He died in 1850. His wife survived him until 1869. 

The subject of our sketch received a liberal education ; and began business 
at the age of eighteen j-ears as a farmer. He v\'as married in 1869 to Mary L. 
Smith, daughter of B. A. Smith. They are the parents of eight children, viz : 
Frank L., Edward J., Henr}^ A., Leo, Lucius B., Clothilda, Nita. 

Mr. Guilbeau owns three hundred and fifty acres of land, a good portion of 
which is under cultivation. The principal products are cotton and corn, and 
some sugar cane. He enlisted in the Confederate army,in 1864, under Col. Thomp- 
son of the Home Guards. He afterward joined the Twentj'-eighth Louisiana 
Infantry, and served there until the close of the war. He was for a number of 
years member of the town council of Grand Coteau. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Catholic church. * 

^ CAPT. S. J. C. GORDON, Bayou Cuukent.— Capt. Gordon was born 
in Amite county. Miss., October i, 1826. He is the son of James R. and 
Martha L (Cassels) Gordon, natives of North Carolina and Mississippi respec- 
tively. 

James R. Gordon was a young man on going to Mississippi, and when our 
subject was a child he removed to East Feliciana parish, Louisiana. After 
having lived there for some time he returned to St. Helena, where he resided up 
to the time of his death. He was quite a successful planter. 

The subject of our sketch was reared in East Feliciana parish, where he 
received a common school education. When seventeen years of age he com- 
menced to work without having any particular occupation. In 1849 ^^ began 
farming, and the same year removed to his present location on the Atchafalava 
river, where he has now a valuable plantation. 

He married, in 1841, Miss Mary J. Scott, of East Feliciana parish. To 
this union have been born four children, viz : Mar}- E., Ella E., Marv Scott, 
and S. J. C, Jr. 

Capt. Gordon is perhaps the oldest resident on this side of the Atcliafalaya 
River: he has seen the countr\- develop from its original wild state to the hi<rh 
state of cultivation in which it is now found. 



4(; SOUTHVVESl' LOr/SIANA : 

^ HON. HENRY L. GARLAND, Opelousas.— There is no name connected 
with the history of Opelousas that is more honored than that of Henry L. Garland. 
Me \vas born in St. Landry parish, September 27, 1836. He received a liberal 
education in Franklin College and the University of Virginia, He studied law 
in the office of Caleb L. Swayze, subsequently attending law lectures in the city 
of New Orleans. In 1848 he began practising law in Opelousas, and has 
always made liis home in this place. He still owns and resides in the house in 

■ which he was born. 

At the beginning of hostiUties in tlie late civil war, Mr. Garland organized a 
company from St. Landry parish for the Confederate States service, of which 
he was made captain. Their field of operation was chiefly in Tennessee. In 
the first day's battle of Shiloh, two-thirds of his men were killed or wounded. 
At the close of the war Mr. Garland returned home and resumed his practice, in 
which he has since been actively engaged. He has been a member of the Legis- 
lature from liis parish and has held other positions of trust. In his practice he 
has never prosecuted a criminal. He was married in St. Landry parish to Miss 
Julia L. Bullard, and to them have been born five children, Marie, Charles F., 
Virginia, Henry L., Jr., and Robert Lee Garland. Henry L., Jr., is an attorney 
in New Orleans; Robert Lee Garland is a graduate of the huv department of 
Tulane University, New Orleans, and is connected with his father in liis 
practice and general business at this place. He is but a young man and has a 
a promising future. He is a graduate of the Manhattan College, New York 
Citv. liavino- taken a literarv coui'se there. 



• CAPTAIN S. HAx\S, Bavou Chicot.— The subject of this sketch is a 
native of France, born about the year 1836. He is the son of Samuel and Har- 
riet Haas, who are natives of France. There are few men in the history of St. 
Landry parish whose life affords a better example of the self-made man tlian 
that of Captain Haas. He began life penniless, and whatever he has accom- 
plished has been directly attributable to his own efforts. His educational facili- 
ties were somewhat limited, though he has received in the higher school of 
experience the training which has eminently fitted him for the responsible part 
he has taken in business life. Captain Haas was principallj^ raised in St. Landry 
parish, Louisiana. Merchandising and farming have been his principal occupa- 
tion during his life. He began merchandising before the war at Bayou Chicot, 
St. Landry parish, Louisiana, with a stock of about $3000. He now owns and 
controls hundreds of acres of land; in fact, he is one among the largest land 
owners in this section of Louisiana, his possessions being distributed over four 
parishes. He conducts one among the largest mercantile establishments in St. 
Landry parish. When his adopted country called for help to free herself from 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 47 

the wrongs impost'd upon her, Captain Haas was not slow in responding to tiiat 
call. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in Company K, Third Louisiana 
Cavalry Regiment, of which company he afterward became captain. In this 
capacity he did gallant service. In 1861 he v^ias married to Miss Martha A. 
Cole, a native of Louisiana, born in 1845. She is a daughter of John and Lavinia 
(Hudson) Cole. Mrs. Haas' father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother 
of Louisiana. Captain and Mrs. Haas are the parents of five children, four sons 
and one daughter, John A., Hattie, wife of Dr. W. D. Haas; Charles E., A. 
AL and Leon S. 

Captain Haas has for thirteen consecutive years served as a member of the 
police jury from his ward. He is an important factor in all proceedings, both 
political and social, in this section. 

* * 
l^ J. A. HAAS, M. D., ViLLE Platte. — Dr. Haas is a practising physician of 
Mile Platte. He is a native of St. Landry parish, born January 2, 1863. His father, 
Samuel Haas is a native of Alsace, and his mother, Martha Cole, is a native of 
Louisiana. (For sketch of parents see biographj- of Capt. Samuel Haas). 

Dr. Haas was principally educated at Auburn, Kentucky, and Opelousas, 
Louisiana. He began the stud}' of medicine in 1878, attending lectures at the 
Jefferson Medical College in 18S0-1-2. He graduated in 1S82, and upon the 
completion of his course commenced the practice of his profession in St. Landry 
parish, in partnership with Dr. W. E. Hawkins. In 1884 they dissolved partner- 
ship, and in 1888 Dr. Haas removed to Ville Platte, and has since practised his 
profession in this place. In 1890 he became associated with Dr. A.E.Arnold 
in his professional practice. 

Dr. Haas, though young in years, has had a very successful experience, and 
he is recognized as one of the leading members of his profession. 

"^ E. C. HAWKINS, Opelousas.— E. C. Hawkins, planter, St. Landry 
parish, Louisiana. Mr. Hawkins is a native of Louisiana, born April 8, 1853. 
He is the son of Austin R. and Heloise (Dejean) Hawkins. His father is a native 
of Kentucky, and his mother of Louisiana. His father removed to Louisiana at 
the age of eighteen, and shortly afterward began a drug business; subsequently 
was engaged in dry goods business in Opelousas. At the beginning of the war 
he was a major in the State militia, and helped to organize and send out com- 
panies for Confederate service. He was, during the war, elected a member of 
the Legislature, and served to its close. He was a cotton planter after the war. 
He died about 1874. ^"i" subject's paternal grandfather was a native of Ken- 
tucky, and his maternal of France. 

The subject of our sketch spent his jouthful days and received his educa- 
tion in Louisiana. Having been reared on a plantation, he has chosen this as 



4.S SOi'TIIWESl^ LOUISIANA : 

liis vocation, and now operates a large and lurtile plantation near Opelousas. 
Me is considered one of the most successful planters of his section. He is a 
public spirited citizen, and though he has never taken an active part in political 
affairs, at the request of his friends he has filled several parish offices with 
efficiency. In 1889 he married Mrs. Lizzy Fahey, a daughter of I. II. Kouns, 
who is a native of Ohio. He (I. H. Kouns) was for many years a steamboat 
captain on Red River, and now resides in Kansas. 

« 

DR. J. E. HAWKINS, Bayou Chicot.— Dr. Hawkins is a native of 
Georgia, born in the year 1837. He is the son of William and Lorena (Miller) 
Hawkins, who are both natives of Virginia. Our subject's father's principal oc- 
cupation in life was farming. Both his father and mother lived to a good old age. 

Dr. Hawkins began business for himself at the age of thirteen years. His 
educational facilities were very limited, and what he has accomplished in the 
literary line is due to his own efforts. He began the study of medicine in 1857, 
attending lectures at Augusta, Ga., in 1858, and in 1859 attended lectures in 
Philadelphia, Pa., for a period of about six months. Subsequently, in 1865 and 
1866, he took a course in the medical department- of Tulane University, New 
Orleans. In the )'ear 1872 he went to Connecticut, where -he graduated, 
and the same year he returned home and began the practice of his profession at 
this place. He was married in 1858 to Miss Charity E. Alford, who was a native 
of Georgia and the daughter of T. J. and Emile Alford, who are also natives of 
that State. Dr. Hawkins is one of St. Landry's most prominent men. In his 
section there is nothing that comes up in which he is not called upon to take the 
lead. Professionally he stands high. He is a consistent member of the Baptist 
church. Dr. Hawkins and wife are the parents of four children. 

* » 
^ MRS. M. M. HAYES. Opelousas.— Mrs. M. M. Hayes, to whom tlie 
Opelousas Female Institute owes its origin, was born in Franklin, Tennessee. 
She first attended the Soule Female College at Murfieesboro, Tennessee, and 
later graduated from the Tennessee Female College, 185 1. During the war she 
taught in private schools. In 1868 she was united in marriage with Capt. James 
Hayes, whose death occurred in 1871. 

After his death, in the fall of 1871, Mrs. Ha\'es opened a school, the out- 
growth of which is the Opelousas Female Institute. This institution has 
steadily increased in prosperity and usefulness up to the present da}^ It has a 
fine local patronage, and is growing in favor away from home. The buildings 
have been enlarged and remodeled, and can accommodate, comfortably, a ftiuch 
larger number of boarders than ever before. The school is chartered, and 
diplomas are conferred on all young ladies who satisfactorily complete the pre- 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 4;. 

scribed course of study, which is one of the most thorouoh of any institution of 
learning in the South. The methods of instruction are of the most approved. 
As to location, no more favorable place than Opelousas could be found. Health- 
ful and picturesque, one will scarcely find a more pleasant place. Mrs. Hayes, 
although assisted by an eflicient corps of teachers, superintends the whole' 
school in person. Her judgment is assisted from time to time by the counsel 
of the following board of advisors: Thos. H. Lewis, President; Judge E. N 
Cullom, J. W. Jackson, C. C. Duson, James White, C. L. Hayes, Judge J. M. 
Moore, R. S. Wilkins, John N. Ogden, Leonce Sandoz, Tudcre E. D Estilette 
Jos. Bloch. ^ J = ■ 

^ THOMAS A. HICKS, RosA.-Mr. Hicks was born in Dariington, South 
Carolina. April 27, 1837. He is the son of James E. and Mary Anna (Thomas) 
Hicks, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. James E. Hicks was a 
planter by occupation. His mother died when Thomas was a boy; he removed 
with his father to Alabama in 1852, where his father died in 1857. 

Thomas is. the oldest of five children, and received his education in the 
schools of South Carohna and Alabama. On the death of his father, he turned 
his attention to farming. In i860 he located in Mississippi. Early in 1863 he 
loined the First Mississippi Infantry, in which he swerved until the close of the 
war. He was at Port Hudson, and in the Atlanta campaign; at the former 
place he was taken prisoner. When peace again was declared he located on 
the Atchatalaya River, where he was engaged in farming until 1876, when he 
removed to his present place of residence, where he operates a plantation. 
He owns from about five hundred to six hundred acres, upon which lie raises 
chiefly cotton. 

As a planter and business man, Mr. Hicks has been very successful. He 
has been for a short while engaged in merchandise at Negro Foot, and sub- 
sequently at Rosa. In 1870 he was elected justice of the peace, which position 
he filled with efliciency. He has also served for two years as a member of the 
police jury. 

In 187 1, he married Miss Cordeha A. Richard, and to this union have been 
born five sons and two daughters, viz: Arthur L., John, Willery, Mansil 
Elgee, Julia and Bessie. ' 

Our subject is a prominent Mason, and has served as representative in the 
Grand Lodge of this State. Mr. Hicks e.xpresses himself of the opinion, that 
this IS the garden spot of the worid, and believing as he does he intends making 
this place his permanent place of abode. ^ 

" * * 

JOHN H. HUMBLE, WASHiNOTON.-Mr. Humble was born in St. Landrv 
parish, Louisiana, in the year 1857. He is the son of Henderson Humble and 



50 SOUTIIWEST LOCVS/A.Y.l : 

Eliza J. Biles, both of whom are natives of Louisiana. His father devoted his 
whole life to plantin{(. He died in 1886 at the age of sixty j'ears. Our subject's 
grandfather Humble was a native of Germany, and located in Louisiana when 
a 30ung man. Young John H. Humble had fair educational facilities as a boy, 
receiving the benefit of private tutorage, and later completing his education at 
Franklin College, Opelousas. He chose the same vocation that his father fol- 
lowed — planting, and is now the manager of an extensive sugar plantation near 
this place. He expects to manufacture from the products of this plantation tliis 
year not less than one million pounds of yellow clarified sugar. Mr. Humble 
is one of the successful, whole-souled business men who have made Washington 
what it is. 

* * 

1/ S. HOWELL, Opelousas. — S. Howell, manager of the E. H. Vorden- 
baumen Lumber Yard, and agent for Water's Pierce Oil Company, is a native 
of Union City, Tennessee, born October 10, 1868. He is a son of S. and 
Fann}' (Crooks) Howell, theformer a native of Tennessee. He removed to 
Tennessee while a young man, and there married our subject's mother. While 
in Tennessee he served as clerk of the court for many years. 

S. Howell was reared in Tennessee and Louisiana, and received his educa- 
tion in the schools of these States. He was for several years engaged with his 
uncle in nursery business in Dallas, Texas. In 1887 he took charge of E. H 
Vordenbaumen's lumber interest at Lafayette, as manager. In the same 
capacity he came to Opelousas in 1889, and has charge of Mr. Vordenbaumen's 
interests here. Mr. Howell is a young man of strict business habits and is 
worthy of the esteem in which he is held. 

* * 

^ V. K. IRION, D. D. S., Opelousas.— The Irion family is quite a distin- 
guished one. Dr. Irion's father, Judge A. B.Irion, Eola, Louisiana, has acted 
an important part in the political affairs of his section of the State. He is by 
profession a lawyer — a graduate of the University of North Carolina. He was 
admitted to the bar in Louisiana and has at different times practised his profes- 
sion; served as Circuit Judge, and has represented his district in Congress. He 
is a gentleman of considerable literary ability and some of his writings are well 
known. 

Dr. Irion was reared in Avoyelles parish. He is a yojiing man, having been 
born July 31, 1862. He prepared for college in the private schools of Avoyelles 
parish, and subsequently, in 1885, graduated from the State University at Baton 
Rouge. After completing his education he w-ent to Switzerland, where he pur- 
sued a course of study under the renowned dental surgeon Edward P. Doremus, 
with whom he remained two vears. In 1886 he returned to the United States and 




/^^^^/^^ 




HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 53 

entered the dental school of the University of Maryhuid, Baltimore, remaining- 
one year. After completing his dental studies, he practised in Marksville, Lou- 
isiana, one year, when he removed to Opelousas, and has here since practised 
his profession. His efficiency as a dental surgeon is demonstrated in the lucra- 
tive practice which he has built up. His superior advantages eminently fit him 
for the profession he has chosen, and his abundant success is assured. 

The doctor married, September, 1888, Helen Lastrapes, daughter of L. F. 
and Mary (King) Lastrapes, both natives of St. Landry parish. 

V/ PHILIP KNIGHT, Washington.— Philip Knight, superintendent of 
the Courtableau River Cotton Mills, limited," was born in Manchester, England. 
He is the son of Philip Knight and Jane Knight, both of whom are natives of 
England. His father was an extensive cotton manufacturer of Manchester 
and Leeds. He removed to the United States in the year i860, where 
he died in 1872. Young Philip was reared and educated in the schools of 
x\ccrington, England. At the age of fifteen years he became an apprentice 
in the cotton machinery works of the noted firm of Howard & Boullough, 
Accrington. Here he remained several \ears after his apprenticeship had 
been served. From the year 1878 to 1887 he represented this firm in the 
United States. In 1888 he accepted a position as superintendent of the Orleans 
Cotton Rope Manufacturing Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1889 
he resigned this position to accept the one which he now holds. He is also 
one of the chief stock holders in the concern of which he is the superinten- 
dent. The factory, which is in course of construction, is to be quite extensive, 
and is to be built on English principles. It will be fitted up with the best 
machinery that England and America can supply. The capital invested is about 
$125,000. The company proposes to have the mill in operation bj' April i, 
1891. This enterprise bespeaks the business qualifications prominent in Mr. 
Knight. He has traveled over the greater portion of the United States, and has 
been in active business in many sections; but he is so favorably impressed with 
Washington that it is his intention to make this his permanent home. Though 
an Englishman by birth, reared and educated in England, lie is a thorough 
American in his views, and is one of the leading citizens of the section in which 
he has cast his lot. ^ 

^"' ROBERT M. LITTELL, M. D., Opelousas.— The ancestry of the 
Littell family is remote, and can be traced to the time when George Littell, a 
merchant of London, came to Newburg, Essex county, Massachusetts, in com- 
pany with his brother, Benjamin. Here he married, and to the union were born 
two sons. Samuel married Lydia Bonnel, and to them was born a son, Benjamin, 
who married Susan Tucker. Their son Moses married Abigail Thompson, 
•fa 



54 SO UTH WEST L O UISIANA : 

Isaac married Hannah Frazee, to wliom were born two sons, one of whom was 
Moses, who married Constance Collins, to whom was born six children. 
Elakin, the second son, born July, 1791, married twice. His first wife was 
Anne Findlejs to whom were born three children. Dr. R. H. Littell, the father 
of Robert M. Littell, being the second son. 

Robert was born in Opelousas, and received his education at the Louisiana 
Militar3^, Agricultural and Mechanical College. Here he pursued his course to 
within six .months of graduation. After leaving college, in 1876, he con- 
ducted a drug business, at the same time pursuing a private course of medical 
instruction under his father. 

In 1880 he entered the Medical School of Tulane Universit}-, and graduated 
in 1884. During this time he was for one year a resident student in Cliarity 
Hospital. Upon the completion of his collegiate course he located in Opelousas 
and began the practice of his profession. 

In 1885 the Doctor married Miss Mary E. Littell, daughter of Isaac Littell, 
who was a native of St. Landry parish, and an extensive planter. Dr. Littell is 
recognized as one of the most eminent physicians in this section of the State. 
His practice is chiefly confined to the office and town. He is a gentleman of 
more than ordinary intellectual ability, culture and refinement. He is a distin- 
guished member of both the State and Attakapas Medical Societies. 

* » 

BENJ. A. LITTELL, M. D., Opelousas,— Benj. A. Littell, M. D., 
is a Louisianian by birth, having been born in Opelousas, May 13, 1866. He is 
a son of Robert H. and Arietta (Campbell) Littell. 

Dr. Littell prepared for college in the public and private schools of Ope- 
lousas; subsequently he took a two years' course in Vanderbilt University. 
After completing his literarj' education. Dr. Littell studied medicine for one j'ear 
under the tutorage of his father, when he entered the medical department of 
Tulane University, graduating in 1888. Immediatel}' upon the completion of 
his course he began the practice of his profession in Opelousas, where he has 
since continued with success. He married, in 18S8, Miss Altha Reynolds, 
daughter of E. W. Reynolds, a resident of Opelousas. 

* 

* * 

Li. E. LITTELL, Opelousas. — L. E. Littell was born in St. Landry 
parish, August, 1854. He is of Welsh descent on his father's side, his grand- 
father Littell having emigrated from Wales. He is the son of R. H. and A. 
(Campbell) Littell, natives of Louisiana and New York, respectivel3^ 

L. E. Littell, through force of circumstances, was at an early age thrown 
upon his own resources, and he gave his attention to planting. He was for six 
years manager of a plantation. Although he had not had the advantages of a 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 55 

high graded school, he acquired an excellent knowledge of mathematics. He 
taught school for a period, and in 1885 began work as a practical surveyor. 
He was appointed surveyor of St. Landry in 1S88. He has been a member of 
the Parish School Board for four years, and is the secretary of that body. He 
also does a lar<je abstracting and real estate business. He is at present under- 
taking the laborious task of enrolling the unassessed lands of the parish. Mr. Lit- 
tell has worked his way up against adverse circumstances, and being possessed 
of a determined disposition and thrift}' integrity he has risen above all obstacles. 
Mr. Littell was married in 1SS7 to Miss Lizzie Gibbs, and to them has been 
born one child. » 

V 

ALPHONSE LEVY, Opelousas — Mr. Levj- is one of the most progres- 
sive and successful business men of Opelousas. He is a native of France, and 
came to America at an early age. After a short stay elsewhere, he located per- 
manently in Opelousas. He served as a clerk in a general mercantile establish- 
ment until 1877, with the. exception of one j'ear, during which period he kept a 
countr}' store. In 1877 he became a partner in a mercantile business with Julian 
Meyers; of which firm he is still a member. This firm is one of the largest 
business houses in the State. They, with a few other extensive houses in the 
South, support a bureau in New York City, through which they purchase all their 
goods at greatly reduced rates. The business of Julian Mej'ers & Co. is 
greatly on the increase and they will do a business of over $200,000 this year. 
They carry from fifty to seventj'-five thousand dollars' worth of stock ; occupy 
two floors of a large building with their mercantile business, proper, besides 
numerous implement and carriage warehouse rooms; also have a large shipping 
depot from which they ship more cotton and rice than any other firm in St. 
Landry parish. Recognizing the necessitj' of a healthy Southern emigration, 
Mr. Lev}' became connected with the Southwestern Louisiana Land Compan}-, 
of which he was elected president. It is due to this company and its enterpris- 
ing members that hundreds of home seekers have located in Southwestern 
Louisiana. Mr. Levy is also president and one of the chief stock liolders of 
the First National Bank of Opelousas. In fact, he has become identified with 
nearly every move that has advanced the interest of St. Landry and adjoining 
parishes. He is yet a young man, popular in social circles, a member of tlie 
Opelousas Social Club, and is also a member of the Masonic Lodge of this place. 

» * 
*^ SOL. LOEB, Opelous.\s. — Mr. Loeb, a merchant and planter of this place, 
is a native of Germany, born near the river Rhine, December 8, 1838. His 
father, Aaron Loeb, died when our subject was an infant, and when about ten 
years of age young Sol came to New York, where some of his relatives had pre- 
ceded him. He remained in New York for sometime, afterward attending school 



66 SOUTHWESl^ L OUISIANA : 

in Hartford, Connecticut; after whicii he was located in Woodville, Mississippi, 
until the breaking out of the Civil War. Though anativ^e of a foreign land, and 
partially reared among those against whom he afterward fought, Mr. Loeb was 
intensely southern in sentiment, and at the first call of his adopted Southland, he 
shouldered his musket, and, enlisting in the first company Wilkinson Rifles, Six- 
teenth Mississippi Regiment, he went out "to conqueror be conquered." During 
the time of his service he operated in Virginia under Robert E. Lee and Stonewall 
Jackson. He was in the battles of Cross Keys, Winchester, Harper's Ferry, Port 
Republic, the seven days' fight around Richmond and the second battle of 
Manassas, in which he received a severe flesh wound, from the effect of which 
he laj" in Richmond two months, when, his general health being greatly impaired, 
he received his final discharge. He shortlj' afterward went to Mexico and en- 
gaged in business. While there, in 1864, he met and married Miss Jennnetle 
Marks, of New Orleans, who, like himself, had gone to Mexico to escape the 
turbulent effects of the war. After the close of the war he removed to New 
Orleans an-d here embarked in business. During the yellow fever scourge of 
1867, Mrs. Loeb died, and our subject removed to Opelousas and located in busi- 
ness. In 1876 he married the second time. Miss Sarah Feibelman, of New 
Orleans. 

Mr. Loeb is the happy father of seven children; first, Mrs. Jacob Frankel. 
the issue of the first marriage. Three sons and three daughters have been born 
to the second union. Mr. Loeb is a thorough, progressive American citizen. 

* 
* * 

E. LATREYTE, Opelousas. — Mr. Latreyte is a native of France, born 
December 26, 1844. He is a son of Peter L. and Marguerite (Lagrave) Latrevte, 
both of whom were natives of France. His father was a merchant. 

The subject of our sketch grew to manhood and received his education in 
France. In 1861 he removed to New Orleans, where he was for eighteen years 
engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store. Pie began a commission business in 
1878, in which, however, he only continued until 1880, when he removed to 
Opelousas and embarked in a general mercantile business. That he has been 
amply successful in his business career is demonstrated in the fact that he began 
business on a capital of about four thousand dollars and now carries a stock of 
about ten thousand dollars, and does a very large business; also operates about 
one thousand acres of land, and owns over two thousand acres. He is one of the 
chief stock holders in the First National Bank of Opelousas. He is also a 
member and stock holder in St. Landry Home Association. 

Mr. Latreyte married, in 1S74, Miss Maria Anglade, of New Orleans. He 
has four children, all daughters. Mr. Latreyte and his family are all devout 
Catholics. Few men in Opelousas have been more successful or done more for 
the general advancement of the place than Mr. Latretye. 



I 



HISTORTCAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. . 57 

JOSEPH LASSALLE, Opelousas.— Mr. Lassalle is a native of Canada, 
boin in St. Paul of L'Assomption. 1844. His father, Joseph Lassalle, Sr., was a 
native of Canada, and was a dealer in grain in St. Paul. He died December 
9, 1889, at the age of seventy-two years. 

Our subject's mother was Sarah Asselin, also a native of Canada. She died 
in March of 1853, at the age of thirt\'-three years. The family are of purely 
French descent. 

Young Joseph was reared in Canada, and received the best education its 
schools afforded. He is a graduate of Joiliette College. He was educated for a 
priest, but not being inclined that way, did not pursue that calling. Canada not 
affording the field for the operations his ambitious nature craved, Mr. Lassalle, 
December 14, 1871, started for Opelousas, Louisiana. He came on the ocean 
via New York to New Orleans, arriving in Opelousas in January, 1872. He 
was for five years succeeding this deputy tax collector of St. Landry parish. 

In 1877 he began a mercantile business, starting with a capital of $900. He 
has been very successful in his business, and. besides the large business interest 
which he conducts, he owns considerable town property. 

Mr. Lassalle was married, January 6, 1876, to Therese Goldman, daughter 
of Jacob Goldman, who was a former resident of Opelousas. 



T. JAY LACY, Mount Hope Nursery, Washington. — The subject of 
this sketch began life at the age of sixteen as an apprentice, learning a carpen- 
ter's trade in New York. In 1858 he removed lo Washington, Louisiana, 
where he began growing a nursery. At the beginning of the war he enlisted 
in the Confederate service, and was detailed to do commissar}' duty. At' the 
close of the war he had as a capital with which to start business four dollars. 
He returned to Washington and bought the place where he now resides. 
Since that time he has devoted himself chiefly to horticulture; and there are no 
finer pear orchards to be found anywhere than this. He also has a general nur- 
sery stock, and is conducting a flourishing business in fruit trees that are 
adapted to the climate of the Gulf States. 

* 

\ . D. LEDOUX, Opelousas. — V. D'. Ledoux, a planter living eight miles 
west of Opelousas, was born September, 1840. He is the son of Dalicourt and 
Eliza (McDaniel) Ledoux, both natives of St. Landry parish. Our subject's 
paternal grandfather was Eugene Ledoux, a native of Canada of French 
parentage. 

Mr. Ledoux is tlie eldest of a family of eight children. He was reared in 
St. Landrj- parish and received such an education as the schools of the parish 



58 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

afforded. In September, 1870, he married Elizabeth Boudreaux, and to them 
have been born five children, viz : Mary, wife of Thomas Fontenot; Joseph M., 
Eliza, (died August 4, 1881), Valsain, and Leopold D. 

From 1870 to 1875 he operated in connection with his plantation a mercan- 
tile business, but finding that his plantation required his full attention he 
abandoned his store and has since given his full attention to the plantation. 
Both he and his wife are members of the CathoHc church. 



WM. ROBERTSON LASTRAPES, M. D., Opelousas.— Dr. Lastrapes 
was born in Washington, St. Landry parish, Louisiana, March 12, 1S69. His 
father, Henry Lastrapes, is among the largest planters of St Landry parish. 

Dr. Lastrapes is tlie fourth in the order of their birth of eight living children. 
The Doctor, from his boyhood days, had the most excellent educational facihties, 
having attended the best schools of the parish up to the time he was thirteen 
years of age, when he entered Manhattan College, New York City, graduating 
with the degree of A. B., 1S87, at the age of eighteen years, second in a class of 
twenty-five graduates. The same year he entered the medical school of Tulane 
University, New Orleans, graduating from this institution in April, 1890. He 
has practised in Opelousas about three months, and accepting his reception by the 
people thus early in his professional career as an index, his success is assured. 

* * 

MARK LAZARO, Ville Platte. — Mr. Lazaro, a successful planter of 
St. Landry parish, is a native of Louisiana. He was born February 10, 1847. 
His father, Alexandre L., was a native of Russia. His mother, EHzabeth 
Vidrene, of Louisiana, of French extraction. Alexandre Lazaro came to 
America in 1838, and engaged in merchandising in Mobile, Ala. In the early 
part of his life he took an active part in politics. For twenty years he was a 
sailor. He was married in St. Landry parish, and became the father of three 
children, Mark (the subject of our sketch) being the only surviving member of 
the family. Alexandre Lazaro died in 1884. He was a member of the Greek 
Catholic church. His wife died from yellow fever in St. Landry parish, in 1867. 
She was a member of the CathoHc church. 

Mark Lazaro was educated partially at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, 
having taken a three years' course in that institution. In the latter part of 1864 
he joined the State Militia, and in 1865 the artillery in the regular army. He 
served until the close of the war. In 1866 he accepted a position as clerk in a 
mercantile establishment in New Orleans. He has for a number of years been 
planting where he now resides, and owns a tract of about eighteen hundred acres 
of land, with six hundred acres under cultivation. He also conducts a mercan- 
tile business on his plantation. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 59 

Mr. Lazaro was married November 8, 1886, to Miss Amelie Fontenot, of 
St. Landry parish. Tiiey are the parents of five living children: Joseph, Amelie 
(wife of R. G. Stagg), J., Luke, Evangeline. Mrs. Lazaro died, and Mr. 
Lazaro married a second time, in 1883, Miss Agnes Francis. To them two 
children have been born : Lilliss and Mary. 

* 

-^ DORSIN P. LEFLEUR, Chataignier.— Dorsin P. Lafleur is a success- 
ful planter and merchant living in the seventh ward of St. Landry parish. He 
is a native of Louisiana, born August 27, 1853. He is the son of John P. and 
Delphine (Rosas) Lafleur, both natives of Louisiana. John P. Lafleur was 
a planter and merchant and for a number of years a member of the police jury. 
He died in 1886, at the mature age of eighty-six years. His wife died in 1858. 
Both were members of the Catholic church. 

Dorsin P. Lafleur was reared on his father's plantation in this parish and 
received a good business education in the neighboring schools. ' He was married, 
in 1869, to Miss Amelia Miller, and they became the parents of eight children, 
viz: Dorville, Joseph D., John P., Dorestant, Dorsina, wife of Oliver Lafleur; 
Dolvina, wife of Laurent Aadoin, Doremus (deceased), Dora. 

Mr. Lafleur began merchandising in 1853, and since that time has continued 
in the business. He also operates a steam power grist mill and cotton gin. He 
owns six hundred acres of land in the seventh ward, about two hundred of which 
are under cultivation. 

His wife died in 1884. The family are all Catholics. Mr. Lafleur is one of 
the most prominent citizens of St. Landr^' parish. 

* * 
^ ERTEMON LAFLEURE, Opelousas.— Mr. Lafleure was born in the 
parish in which he now resides, in August, 1850, and is one of a family of six- 
teen children born to John B. and Domelise B. (Fontenot) Lafleure, natives of 
St. Landry parish. Our subject's grandfather, Lafleure, was a native of France, 
and became one of the pioneer settlers of Louisiana. John B. Lafleure is still 
living, being in his seventy-second vear. He has married twice. His first wife, 
our subject's mother, died in 1884. 

Ertemon Lafleure began life as a farmer. He bought a tract of land consist- 
ing of one hundred and twenty acres, located nine miles west of Opelousas, where 
he now resides, and to which he has since added one hundred" and thirty acres. 
He has been successful as a planter, and his plantation is one of the best 
improved in this section. He has also, in connection with his plantation, a store, 
in which he does a good business. 

Mr. Lefleure was married, in 1870, to Miss Estelle P. Pitre, daughter of 
Francois P. and Ozelure C. Pitre, their family consisting of ten children, viz ; 



€0 .s' o irrn ii 7i\9 r l o uisia na .■ 

Alide, Eiiiar, Olivia. Aladie, Lena, Lydia, Omar, Real, Ertemon, and Maese. 
Mr. Lefleurc was elected Justice of the Peace in the Second Justice's Ward in 
i88S, and is the present incumbent of that office. He and family are Catholics. 

» 

)/ * * 

\i. F. MEGINLEV. Oi-klolsa.s.— B. F. Meginley, Clerk of the Supreme 

Court at Opelousas, is a native of St. Landry parish, born October 2, 1859. 
He is the son of W. R. and Louise (Chachere) Meginley. The Meginley family 
is of Irish. Scotch and English extraction, the families having been settlers of 
the New England States. The maternal grandparents of our subject died at 
an advanced age in Pliiladelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, W. R. Meginley, 
was born in Rhode Island and reared in Philadelphia: he learned the trade of 
carpenter and builder, serving several tedious years' apprenticeship, and when 
quite a young man came South and located in St. Landry parish, Louisiana. 
Here he became a leading contractor and builder, and many of the most impos- 
ing structures in this, section of the State still stand as monuments to attest the 
efficiency that he had attained in his vocation. He was the architect and builder 
of the old court house in Opelousas, which was burned down in recent years; 
also many of the largest sugar factories in this section of the State are of his 
workmanship. After a life of usefulness he was called to judgment in 1888, at 
the age of sixty-four years. 

Our subjects's mother's family, Chachere. is one of the old and leading 
Creole families of the State. The descendants of this family have become 
so numerous in St. Landiy parish that it is impossible to give a fair estimate 
of its actual numbers. It has been the custom for years among them to hold 
an annual family meeting, which is attended by from five to eight hundred 
of its members. In honor of this ancient custom, the family has recently pur- 
chased a five-acre tract of land, located ten miles west of Opelousas, which 
the}' have commenced to improve, and intend to adorn witli ail that art can 
afford or taste suggest, as the annual meeting place of the family. As the day, 
August 25, is the one chosen, and as the celebration of high mass upon the scene is a 
part of the ceremony, this spot will become the Mecca of the family, and gene- 
rations yet unborn ma}' have just reason to breathe with pride and veneration 
the names of their thoughtful ancestr}' who have selected and adorned the spot. 
The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in St. Landry parish, of French 
parentage, in 1801, and is still alive. He is fresh for his years and still hitches 
his own horse and drives out for exercise and business. 

The subject of this sketch, B. F. Meginley, is a man of fine personal ap- 
pearance, being remarkably robust and healthy. His energj- and candor bespeak 
his Irish, Scotch and English blood, while he is also possessed of that manly 
politeness and suavity of temperament characteristic of the Frenchman. Though 
his parents were in comfortable circumstances, while yet a child young Benjamin 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. Gl 

evinced a desire to accomplish something for himself, and at the tender age of 
thirteen he became an employe of the post-master at Opelousas. At the age of 
sixteen he became the regular deputy post-master and worked in that capacity, 
with the exception of a short period, until he was twenty years of age. He tried 
farming for a season and clerking for a short spell, but was not satisfied with 
either, and returned to his place in the post-office. Although he was constantl}' 
engaged in business he was a hard student and used all his leisure moments in 
acquiring a literary as well as a practical education. Looking around for some 
position where there was a possibility of promotion, he secured a desk as a copyist 
in the ofHce of District Court in March. 1880. Here his persistent energy re- 
commended him as a most efficient clerk, and, in February. 1881, he was given 
charge of the office. He held this position until June i, 1888. when he resigned 
to accept the appointment of Supreme Court clerk, which position he now 
holds. In the office of the District Court he labored early and late, until he 
became recognized as one of the highest possible authorities to be found on 
records and land titles. Probably there is no one in this section of Louisiana 
who is more familiar with them than Mr. Meginley. In 1885 he qualified as a 
land attorney to practise before the United States and State land offices. On 
leaving the office of the District Court he opened a land and notarial office, and 
has done one of the largest land practices in the State since that time. In con- 
nection with his official business Mr. Meginley conducts a flourishing grocery 
establishment in Opelousas. He married, November 22, 1882, Miss Lena Fon- 
tenot. He is the happy father of three daughters, Constance Louisa. Louise 
Aline and Wilda Octavia. Mr. Meginlej' is certainly an instance of a self-made 
man. He has never received a dollar's patrimon}', and is in independent cir- 
cumstances. He says he has tried everything but blacking boots, and believes 
he could do that successfully if necessary. He is a firm believer in the truly 
American idea that the man lends dignity to the occupation, not the occupation 
to the man. He is identified witli all the public matters of interest and never 
fails to do his part in all piojects that tend to the promotion of the welfare of 
his section. , 

•^ E. C. MILBURN, Whiteville.— E. C. Milburn, planter and Police Juror, 
Ward 5. is a native of St. Landr}' parish, born in the year 1836. He is the son of 
Henry B. and Minerva A. (Ferguson) Milburn, both of whom were born in Mis- 
sissippi, but removed to Louisiana with their parents when children. Henry B. 
Milburn was principally reared and educated in Louisiana. He married here 
when a young man and devoted himself to planting on Bayou Bceuf, Avoyelles 
parish. Louisiana. He was accidentally killed by his gin in 1852. at the age of 
about fifty-three years. E. C. Milburn's grandfather, Henr\- Milburn, was a 
native of England, but removed to the United Stales when a voung man. He 



62 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

had only one son, our subject's father. Ilis maternal grandfather, James Fergu- 
son, was a native of South Carolina. He married when young Miss Ellizabeth 
Curry, of Georgia, moving to Louisiana in 1812, where he engaged in planting. 
He participated in the war of 1812, but was not engaged in the battle of New 
Orleans. He died at the age of ninet3'-five, outliving all of his children except 
the mother of the subject of this sketch, who is now^ living and is eighty-two 
years old. 
\^' E. C. Milburn began life as a merchant at Holmesville, Louisiana, marry- 
ing, shortly after beginning business, Miss Anna INL Leigh, daughter of Dr. John 
F. Leigh, of Baltimore, Mar3land. 

In 1862 Mr. Milburn enlisted in the First Battalion of State troops, in which 
he served, operating in Louisiana, one year, when he joined the Eighth Battalion 
of the Heavy Artillery; and a few months before the close of the war he 
was detailed for the purpose of raising provisions for the Confederate States' use. 
After the war he devoted himself to the operation of his plantation at this place, 
where he had removed in i860. He has an excellent plantation, upon which 
he raises cotton and corn. Mr. Milburn also raises a fine grade of stock on 
his plantation. In the year 1888 he was appointed a member of the Police Jury 
from the Fifth Ward, and has served in this capacity with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to the people. It is not Mr. Milburn's desire to identify himself with 
political affairs, and he has refused, on different occasions, to accept nomina- 
tions to the Legislature. He is the father of four children, three sons and one 
daughter. His oldest son. Dr. H. C. Milburn, is a practising physician of 

Whiteville, Louisiana. » 

« « 

A. H. MOUTON, Opelousas. — Mr. Mouton is a native of Louisiana, born 
January 27, 1856. He is the son of C. H. and C. Celinine (Dupre) Mouton, the 
former a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, born in 1825, and the latter of St. 
Landry parish, born May 29, 1831, died December 17, 1864. Mrs. Mouton is 
a daughter of Lastie Dupre, a former prominent citizen of this parish. 

Our subject is one of a family of eight children, of whom seven are now liv- 
ing. He was educated in Opelousas and New Orleans. At the age of eighteen 
years he began business for himself as a farmer on his plantation located near 
Lafayette. Here he continued to operate his plantation for a period of about two 
years, when he removed to St. Landry parish and engaged in stock trading. 
From there he removed to Opelousas, where he remained two years, and in 1887 
engaged in the merdantile business, at the same time operating a plantation, upon 
which he raises cotton and rice. He has a beautiful prairie farm near Rougeau. 
C. H. Mouton, the father of our subject, was an officer in the Confederate States 
service. It is enough to say of our subject that he is one of St. Landry's 
respected citizens and successful planters. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 63 

^ JUDGE JOSEPH MURTAUGH MOORE, Opelousas.— The late Judge 
]\Ioore, of Opelousas, Louisiana, was born in Opelousas, September 23, 1824. 
The Moores were an old Virginia family, and the ancestral residence still stands 
in Berkley county of that State. Judge Lewis Moore was a major in the Rev- 
olutionary war. He married a Virginia lady by the name of Henshaw. There 
were born to the marriage four sons, one of whom, J. Andrew, was the father of 
our subject. Judge Lewis Moore settled near Berwick's Bay, and there became 
a wealth}' planter and property owner. J. Andrew Moore, father of our subject, 
was educated at the Transylvania School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, but never 
practised his profession. He became a merchant, and afterward a planter in St. 
Mary's parish. He married, and became the father of fourteen children, twelve 
of whom grew to matuint}'. The late Judge Joseph Murtaugh Moore was the 
oldest of the family. He received his literary education in Jefferson College, 
Pennsylvania;- after which he returned home and read law in the office of Caleb 
L. Swayze, subsequently becoming the law partner of his preceptor. This part- 
nership existed until the time of Mr. Swayze's death. He then became senior 
partner of the firm of Moore & Morgan. He continued in the active practice of 
law until he was elected senior judge of the Court of Appeals in 1880. This 
position he filled with distinction for eight consecutive years. He was a man of 
culture and refinement, and of deep research as a jurist. He represented St. 
Landry parish in the Legislature before the war, and was a member of the Con- 
federate States Legislature during the war. He was again elected representative in 
1879, and helped frame the present State constitution. He never aspired to office, 
but was willing to make any sacrifice, no matter how great, when his principles 
and the people demanded it. In the da3'S of reconstruction he became a candi- 
date for Congress, when he and his friends knew there was not one ray of hope. 
But he reduced the republican majority so materially that his work paved the 
way to future democratic success. He died December 15, 1890. Judge Moore's 
first wife was Annette Wartelle. After her death lie married a daughter of Judge 

Overton, who still survives him. 

* 
* * 

J. M. MORRIS & CO., Opelousas.— J. M. Morris & Co., the enterpris- 
ing general insurance agents of this place, are the successors of J. L. Morris. 
J. L. Morris located in Opelousas in 1882 and was the only insurance agent in 
Opelousas up to the time of his death, September 19, 1890. He was a man of 
energy and push and extended his business over a broad area of the State. H. 
A. Irion, of the present firm, had previously been associated with J. L. Morris.. 

J. M. Morris was reared and educated in this State, and since a boy has been 
keeping books and clerking. He spent nearly three years in the West, and has 
had a considerable amount of experience. 

H. A. Irion was reared and educated in Avo3-elles parish. He is the son of. 



C.4 SOUIV/W'EST L OUISIANA : 

Judge Irion, a well-known citizen of Louisiana. These two young men are 
distinguished for their energy, and their business has so far been a success. 
They express themselves as being permanently located in this place. There seems 
no reason to doubt that their success is assured. Among the insurance companies 
which tliey represent are the following: The Fire Insurance Association, of Phila- 
delphia, Pa. ; the Union Fire Insurance Company, of San Francisco, California; 
the Southern Insurance Company, of New Orleans; the Pelican Insurance Com- 
pany, of New Orleans; the Shreveport Fire Insurance Company-, and the New 

Orleans Insurance Company. ^ 

• ♦ 

V J. B. McCOY, Opelousas. — J. B. McCoy is a native of West Virginia, 
born at Wheeling in 1829. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (Bushfield) 
McCoy, the former a native of Scotland, born twelve miles from Edinburgh in 
1 791, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1793. When J. B. 
McCoy was five years old his father died, his mother surviving him only two 
years, thus leaving him an orphan at the tender age of seven years. He is one 
of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom three 
are now living. Thus thrown upon his own resources at an early age and having 
to work for the support of his younger brothers and sisters, he entered a foundry 
at Steubenville, Ohio, doing the most menial service for small pa}'. He con- 
tinued in the foundry three years, when, at the age of sixteen, lie went to Penn- 
sylvania, and was tiiere engaged in farming and attending school alternately — 
running the farm in the working season and attending school winters. In this 
way he obtained a thorough Englisli education and received a good knowledge 
•of the classics. He was offered a collegiate education but preferred depending 
upon his own resources to receiving help from any one, and lie faced life for him- 
self, with the determination that whatever lie should accomplish would be through 
his individual efforts. At the age of twenty-four he removed from Penns3'lvania 
to Burlington, Iowa, and began clerking in the store of Barton T. David, which 
position he held for a period of about two years, when the store was removed to 
Henderson county, Illinois, where our subject was given the entire manage- 
;ment. Here he remained for about three years. In tlie autumn of i860, lie 
removed to Louisiana and stopped with T. C. Chachere, making that his 
home for some time. Here he was engaged in carpentering, which trade he had 
learned in Illinois. About three j-ears subsequent to this he purchased a small 
plantation, upon which he erected a residence, where he has since lived, devoting 
himself exclusively to planting. Mr. McCoy, through the adverse circumstances 
from which he has arisen, has been eminently fitted for a business life, and to 
his untiring energy is due what he has accomplished. He married, in 1867, Mrs. 
Odelia Anders, a native of St. Landry parish and daughter of . Jno. B. and 
Mary L. BijThm. To this union has been born one son. Allen. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 65 

^ MRS. VIRGINIA INIcPHERSON, Grand Coteau.— Mrs. Virginia B. 
McPherson is a daughter ol William H. Bassett, of Charles City county, Vir- 
ginia. She was married to Samuel Chapman McPherson, of Maryland, who 
had emigrated to this State, in 1836. Mr. McPherson was one of the most highly 
respected citizens of the section in which he lived. He was active and energetic, 
and alwa3's took a leading part in political and local affairs. He died, universally 
regretted, at his residence near Grand Coteau, in 1871, at the age of sixty-three 
years. 

Mrs. McPherson still occupies the old homestead that her father purchased 
in 1836. The surviving children of S. C. McPherson are : Mrs. Dr. James 
Ware, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Mrs. Dr. C. P. Smith, of Grand Coteau, 

and Mrs. Martial Cass, of New Orleans. 

* 

MRS. ELEANOR A. MILLARD,* Grand Coteau.— Mrs. Millard is a 
native of St. Landr}^ parish. She is the daughter of Dr. Moses and Constance 
(Collins) Littell, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Louisiana. 
They married in St. Landry parish, and became the parents of five children, 
three daughters and two sons. Dr. Littell died in 1837 of yellow fever. Mrs. 
Littell died in 1864. 

Mrs. Millard is the only surviving member of the familj'. She was married 
in April. 1840, to Dr. Edward N. Millard, a native of Maryland, who came to 
Louisiana in 1836. He was a practising ph3'sician of ability. He died in 1882. 
Mrs. Millard still resides on the plantation, near Grand Coteau, where she 
owns a good plantation, also considerable town property. Having no chil- 
dren of her own, she has reared several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Dr. 
Robert Littell, one of her nieces, has lived with Mrs. Millard since she was four 
years of age until her marriage, in Februarj^ 1885. Miss Eleanor Haw, whom 
Mrs. Millard had at her home for eight years, was married in October, 1S90, to 
Robert E. Smith, son of Frank G. Smith and Marcehte (Gilbeau) Smith. Dr. 
Robert E. Smith was a practising physician and resided for manj- years at 
Grand Coteau. Young Mr. Smith and his wife now reside with Mrs. Millard. 
Mrs. Millard is a liberal contributor to the schools, churches, and all laudable 
enterprises. Her ancestors were among Louisiana's oldest settlers, having been 
residents here under the Spanish Government. Gilbert Leonard, Mrs. Millard's 
gi'and uncle, held an ofiice of high distinction under the Spanish Government. 

* 

GREGORY W. MARTIN, Arnaudville.— Dr. Martin was born in St. 
Martin parish in 1856. He is the son of Omar and Elise (Estillette) Martin, 
both natives of St. Martin parish. Omar Martin is a notarj' public and a planter 
in St. Martin parish. 

The subject of our sketch is the oldest of a family of seven children. He 



66 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

attended school as a bo}- in St. Martin parish, subsequently pursuing a course at 
the University of Louisiana, at New Orleans, and afterward at the Military, 
Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge as a cadet at large 
from the State. At the age of nineteen he began the, study of medicine under 
Dr. Gilbeau, of St. Martin parish. He attended a medical college in 1875-6, 
and again in 1878-9, in which year he graduated. Upon the completion of his 
medical course he located at this place, where he has a large practice. 

Dr. Martin owns a large amount of land on Ba3'ou Teche and the surround- 
ing country, upon which he raises cotton. 

In 1880 the doctor married Miss Ida Gilbeau, daughter of his preceptor. To 
them were born five children, viz: Gregory AV., Jr. : Wade Omar, Jane, Jeffrey 
(deceased), Jeffrey Edwin. The doctor and his famil}- are all members of the 
Catholic church. 

Besides his professional duties and the operation of his plantation Dr. Mar- 
tin also conducts a mercantile business at Breaux Bridge. The doctor is an en- 
terprising citizen and skilful phj'sician. 

» * 

JOHN INI. OGE, Grand Coteau. — John M. Oge is the onh- son of Louis 
Eugene Oge and Elizabeth Ward. He was born on the 21st da}- of February, 1867. 
Louis Eugene Oge was a native of Paris, France; Elizabeth (Ward) Oge, of 
Queen's county, Ireland. They emigrated to America when young, and in 1865 
were married at Lake Charles, Louisiana. Louis E. Oge was an architect, for a 
number of years engaged in ship building at Rockland, Maine, and in New Or- 
leans. He died of yellow fever in 1867. Mrs. E. Oge died in Opelousas in 1884. 

The subject of this sketch was reared by the Misses Alice and Ellen Duff}', 
of Grand Coteau. Up to the time he was twelve years of age young John M. 
Oge attended the private schools of Grand Coteau, at which age he entered St. 
Charles College at this place, graduating in 1887. February 12, 1889, he mar- 
ried Marie Annette Petetin, daughter of Eugene Petetin and Onegia Gilbeau. 

Mr. Oge is at present studying law, with the intention of entering the legal 
profession in the near future. He and his wife are members of the Roman 
Catholic church. Their little son Archie was born on the 29th December, 1890. 

The Misses Duffy, by whom our subject was reared, were born in Armaugh, 
county of Monaghan, Ireland. They came to America with their parents and 
three brothers, Patrick, Michael and Peter, in 1835, and settled in St. Landry 
parish, where they bought a large tract of land. Their father, Peter Dufty, died 
soon after the}' came to this place, in 1836. Mrs. Duffy survived him until 1S63. 
Peter died soon after finishing school; Michael died in 1S66, and Patrick in 
1870. The latter was noted as a successful planter. Alice and Ellen are the 
only members of the family now living. They are still on the old plantation 
where the remainder of the familv have resided. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 67 

" T. L. POSEY, Opelousas. — Mr. Posey is a successful druggrist of 
Opelousas. He is a native of the place and was born in 1855. Some of the 
members of the Posey family have figured prominently in political affairs of the 
United States. Of the great-grandfather of our subject, the International Cyclo- 
pedia says: " Thomas Posey was born in Virginia, 1750, and settled in West 
Virginia, 1769. He became quartermaster of Lord Dunmore's army, and was 
engaged in a battle with the Indians at Point Pleasant in 1774. The next year 
he assisted in the defeat of Dunmore at Gwynn's Island. He afterward joined 
Morgan's riflemen, and fought with a force of British light infantr_v in New 
Jersey. Entering the army under Gates he was at the battle of Bemis' Heights, 
and Stillwater in 1777; and the same j^ear conducted an expedition against the 
Indians. In 1779 he commanded a battalion under Wayne, was prominent at 
the assault of Stony Point, and served with ' Mad Anthony ' until the evacuation 
of Savannah. He was at the surrender of Cornwallis, and was appointed briga- 
dier general in 1793 on the staff of Gen. Washington. Moving into Kentucky 
he became senator, Lieutenant Governor, and Major General of Militia. He 
was United States Senator from Louisiana in 181 2-13, and Governor of t-he Indian c 
Territorj^ from 1813 to 1816, when he became Commissioner of Indian Affairs." 
His commission as brigadier general was kept in the family until taken by the 
Federals during the civil war. 

The paternal grandfather of T. L. Posey was born in Kentucky, but came 
to Louisiana early in life, where he married and resided until the time of his 
death. But little of his history has been preserved. As gleaned from his autobio- 
graphy, John Posey, our subject's father, was born August 4, 1819, in Opelousas. 
He was the youngest child of Lloyd and Eleanor (Collins) Posey, to whom were 
born four children. His mother was a native of Louisiana and died in 1824. 
His father died in 1S21. Being thus left an orphan at an early age he was reared 
by his maternal aunt, Mrs. Constance Littell. He speaks of her in the most 
affectionate terms, and says that a mother could have given him no more atten- 
tion than she. He received a good education. From 1834 to 1838 he was at 
the St. Louis University. The year 1839 he spent in Kentucky visiting his 
numerous relatives. Afterward he entered the mercantile business, but lost by the 
credit system. He then became deputy clerk of St. Landry, in which capacity 
he served until 1846. After a short interval, which he spent in Kentucky, he 
determined to study medicine, and this he did, for about a year, in the office of 
his uncle Alexander Posey. He married in March, 1848, and the following 
July purchased a stock of drugs and opened a drug business in Opelousas. In 
this he continued until the time of his death in 18S6. 

The subject of our sketch, T. L. Posey, succeeded his father in business and 
is now a popular druggist of Opelousas. He was educated at the Jesuit schools 
at Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and at Spring Hill College, near Mobile, Alabama. 



,68 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

He is united in marriage with Miss Marie Ferrer, of New Orleans. To 
them have been born six children, viz: John F., Mary T., Theophilus (died in 
infancy), Julia Ferrer, Thomas A. and Charles. Mr. Posey and family art: 

Catholics. » 

♦ • 

K CHARLES PITRE. Opej-ousas. — Mr. Pitre is a successful farmer who 
resides four miles west of Opelousas. He was born in St. Landry parish, 
November, 1865. His parents, Charles Pitre and Adele Joubert, were both 
natives of St. Landry, where they were reared, married and spent most of their 
lives. To them were born eight children, live sons and three daughters, of whom 
Charles, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest. 

He was reared and received his education in St. Landry parish. Having 
made farming a practical study he adopted this as his lifetime vocation, and has 
been successful in his attempts thus far. He owns a plantation of two hundred 
and fifty acres of land, where he cultivates cotton and corn. Mr. Pitre married, 
in 1885, Miss Ophelia Comeaux, daughterof C. Comeaux. They became the 
parents of three children, viz : Estelle ( deceased), Laurent. The first child died 
in infancy. Both Mr. Pitre and his wife are members of the Catholic church. 



^ LANDRY ROUGEAU, Opelousas.— Landry Rougeau was born in St, 
Landry parish in 1847. He is the son of Francois and ApoHne ( Bordelon ) 
Rougeau, natives of St. Landry parish. Francois Rougeau was quite a promi- 
nent citizen, and held various offices. During the civil war he was in 
service from its beginning until the time of his death in 1863. Being disabled 
shortly after enlisting, he was rendered unfit for service in the field, and was de- 
tailed to the commissary department, and here he was in service when he died. 
The mother of our subject is still living, and resides with her daughter. Mrs. 
Henry P. Fontenot. 

Landry Rougeau is one of a family of four children: Celeste, wife of Henry 
Fusilier; John B., Landry, the subject of this sketch; and one deceased. Mr. 
Rougeau received a common school education in the schools of St. Landry par- 
ish, and began life as a planter. This occupation he has closely followed during 
the whole of his life, and in it has met with flattering success. His piesent 
plantation, situated in Prairie Momou, consists of two hundred and twenty-five 
acres, about sixty of which he cultivates in corn, cotton and rice principallv. 
During the civil war Mr. Rougeau served the Confederate States through its en- 
tire duration. He married, in 1869, Miss Margaret Frauge, daughter of Auguste 
F. and Celeste (West) Frauge, natives of St. Landry parish. This union has 
been blessed with six children: Celesta, Arthur, Arnald, Zepherin, Alma and 
Alice. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 0!) 

VIRGIL C. REYNOLDS, M. D., Morrow.— Dr. Reynolds is a native of 
St. Landry parish, Louisiana, and was born in the year 1867, November 7. Me 
is the son of Dr. W. B. and Mar}' (Buchanan) Reynolds. His father was a 
native of Georgia and his mother of Louisiana. Dr. \V. B. Re3-nolds was a 
graduate of the Georgia State Institute, and also a graduate in Medicine from the' 
IMedical College of Georgia, at Augusta. Soon after completing his medical 
course he removed to Big Cane, St. Landry parish, Louisiana, where he married 
twice. Here he practised his profession until his demise in 18S6, at the age of 
forty^-seven }'ears. Mrs. Reynolds followed him in the year 1S87, '^'^ the age of 
fort3'-two years. The subject of our sketch spent his bo3'hood days in St. Landrv 
parish, and received his education principally in Joe Brown University, Dalton, 
Georgia, although he completed his studies in Keachi College, Keachi, Louisi- 
ana, graduating in 1887 with the degree of A. M. In the autumn of the same 
3'ear lie entered the Louisville Medical College, completing his studies and 
leceiving his diploma in 1889. Upon the completion of his course, he located 
at Morrow, Louisiana, and began the practice of his profession, in which he has 
lieen very successful, having built up a lucrative practice. Dr. Reynolds is a 
young man of more than ordinary natural resources and intellectual culture, and 
is destined to become a shining light in his profession. 

V JAMES RAY, M. D., Opelousas. — James Ray, J\L D., was born in 
Opelousas, January 6, 1825. He is the son of James and Amelia (Humphreys) 
Ray. The forrher was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Louisiana. 
His father was a notary public in Opelousas. He died in 1836, at the age of 
fort3--six years. His mother died in 1851, at about fift3'-three 3'ears of age. 

Dr. Ray prepared for college in the Thinemann school at Opelousas, and 
afterwards graduated from Franklin College in 1842. Upon the completion of 
his literary education he entered the medical school of the Universitv of Louis- 
iana, now Tulane University, New Orleans. He graduated in 1850. He chose 
;;s the location for the practice of his profession Opelousas, where he still resides. 

Dr. Ray is the oldest physician of the place, and stands high in the esteem 
of those with whom he has spent the best 3^ears of his life. Though now ad- 
vanced in age, he does quite a large office practice; he is, however, retiring as 
rapidly as possible from the work. He married, in 1853, Magaret M. Hill, 
daughter of Dr. George Hill, a native of Virginia, but subsequently a resident 
of Louisiana. Dr. Ra3'- has three chilrden: James O. Ra3', M. D., who suc- 
ceeds his father in his medical practice, Amelia, wife of John Mornhinveg. Dr. 
William H. Ray. ^ 

■^ JAMES O. RAY, M. D., Opelousas.— James O. Ray, M. D., of Ope- 
lousas, IS a native of this place. He is quite a 3'oung man, having been born 



70 .S- O I 'THU 'ES T L O UISl. I A A : 

December, 1S56. He is the son of Dr. James Ra}', whose sketch appears above. 
The Doctor was reared in Opelousas, and received his literary education in its 
schools. In 1885 he graduated from Louisville Medical College, Louisville, 
Kentucky. He returned to Opelousas after having completed his medical course, 
and located in the practice of his profession. He is connected with and will 
succeed his father in his practice. His future is promising. 



A. A. RICHARD, B.wou Currknt.— A. A. Richard, one of St. Lan- 
dr\''s leading citizens, was born in what is now Acadia parish, Louisiana, June 
8, 18391, and is the son of Eugene and Catherine (Harmon) Richards, natives 
of St. Landry parish. Eugene Richard was a very successful planter in St. 
Landry, and died when his son was onl\- a boy, thus leaving him to a mother's 
care at this early age. 

A. A. is one of seven children now living. He spent his school days in St. Lan- 
dry parish. In 1861, early in the year, he joined the Sixteenth Louisiana Infantr\', 
and was in many of the most active engagements of the war, viz : Shiloh, Farm- 
ington, Perryville, Kentucky, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Jackson. Miss.. and 
Missionary Ridge; at the last named place he was taken prisoner and consigned 
to Rock Island, where he remained until the close of the war, when he returned 
to Big Cane and commenced the operation of his mother's plantation, which he 
has continued up to the present time. During this time he has greatly increased 
his plantation until he now o\\ ns 3500 acres on the Atchafalaya River. In 186S 
he commenced a mercantile business, which has increased until at present he 
he does quite an extensive business. It was through his instrumentalit}' that the 
Bayou Current post-ofRce was organized in 1878, and he has served as post- 
master nearly all the time since its location at this place. Mr. Richard is one of 
the most progressive citizens of his section. 

^ DR. HENRY O. READ, Chataigmer.— Dr. Read is a native of Avoy- 
elles parish, born in 1833. ^^ '^ the son of Stephen D. and Pvlizabeth (Sim- 
mons) Read. Dr. Read is one of a famil}- of nine children, of whom only him- 
self and Stephen D. Read, Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District, are living. 
The Doctor received his early education in the schools of St. Landr}' parish. 
He began the study of medicine in 1851, under Dr. C. T. Putnam, lately de- 
ceased. He matriculated in the University of Louisiana in 1852, graduating and 
receiving his degree in 1854. -^^ '^ °"'^ '^^ ^'''^ oldest graduates of the uni\-ersitv 
now living. Dr. Read first began practising the year succeeding his graduation, 
at Morgan City, where he remained some years, when he removed to Abbeville. 
In 1863 he enlisted in the Louisiana State troops as surgeon, in which capacity 
he served one j-ear. Prior to this time, in i860, he married Miss Mary E. 



HISTORICAL AXD lUOGRAPIIICAL. 71 

Gueii^nom. of Lafaj'ette. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. IC. J. Gueignom. Mrs. 
Gueignom is a half sister to Judge Bell, who seived in Congress from iS66 to 
1S70. To them have been born four sons: Henry E., Sallust G., William A. 
and Francis S. In 1S67, while the Doctor was practising in Abbeville as a part- 
ner with Dr. White, he treated the first case of yellow fever in the State in that 
memorable year. By constant vigilance he succeeded in confining the disease 
to this one patient. 

The Doctor was twice elected mavor of Abbe\ille. lie now operates, 
in connection with his practice, a plantation of about two hundred and- forty 
acres. In Cameron parish he has a plantation upon which is situated one of the 
finest residences in that vicinit\-. Dr. Read has been until within the past few 
months a regular contributor to the New Orleans Medical Journal, and many of 
his articles are of value to the profession. The Doctor's age and state of health 
renders a very extensive practice impractical, and he confines his practice to a 
select number of families in his communitv. 



JOS. N. ROBIN, Leoxville. — Joseph N. Robin, merchant and sugar 
planter, living on the Bayou Teche, Leooville, was born near where he now 
resides May 14, 1843. His parents, Francois and Eleonore (Stelley) Robin, are 
both natives of St. Landr}-. Francois Robin is still living and resides with his 
son. our subject, being nearly eighty years of age. He was before the 
war a merchant of Grand Coteau, since which time lie has been, engaged in 
planting interests on the Bayou Teche, where he owns a tract of seven thousand 
acres of land, as fine a piece of land as can be found in this section. He has 
served on the police iurv, represented his parish in the legislature, and held 
other important positions of trust. The family are members of the Catholic 
church. 

The subject of our sketch is the third of a family of six children. He 
received his education in St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. At the breaking 
out of hostilities he was in the second class, and at this time he left college and 
enlisted in the Confederate States service. After the war he ga^•e his attenion 
to planting. In 1870 he opened a mercantile establishment near where he 
now does business. Five j'ears later he removed his business to his present 
location, where he has built up an extensive business, amounting at the present 
tmie to from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars annually. He owns a magnfi- 
cent plantation consisting of twentj'-seven hundred and fift\- acres. He has 
served as post-master at Leonville for four j-ears. In 1868 he married Miss 
Alzire Saizan of this parish. There have been born to them eight children, 
seven of whom are still living, viz: Arthur, Amelia. Octavian. Louis, Numa, 
f)sc,ir, Charles, Maria, and Aleda, (deceased.) 



72 SOmnVEST L OUISIAXA : 

E. C. ROGER, Arnauuvilt.e. — E. C. Roger, of the lirm of Roger Bros., 
w;is born in St. Martin parish in 1845. He spent his school days and received 
a fair education in this parisli. In 1857 he commenced a mercantile business at 
Breaux Bridge, where he was engaged until 1861 . Subsequently he was engaged in 
the same business at Attenue until 1863. In the spring of this year he joined Cap- 
tain Hardroger's company of the 7th Louisiana Cavalry in which he served 
until the close of tlie war as orderly sergeant. His regiment served in the Trans- 
Mississippi Department. At the close of the war he relurnedhome and entered the 
employ of Judge A. L. Durio, with whom he remained two j'ears, and was, sub- 
sequently, for a similar length of time, engaged with U. A. Gilbeau, at Arnaud- 
ville. One 3'ear later he removed to Abbeville, Vermilion parish, and after 
three years he returned to Breaux Bridge and entered the mercantile business 
with J. Plonsky; afterward lie became a member of the firm of Melason & 
Roger, at Breaux Bridge. During the time he was there he served twice as 
alderman and once as ma3-or of the town. In 1874 '^^ removed to this place 
and, in partnership with his brother, began a mercantile business, wliich thev 
have since continued. lie has here served as mayor and alderman, and is one 
of the leading spirits in all public matters. He was appointed post-master in 
1S74 *""^ '" '-'^'s capacity lias since served. Besides their large mercantile 
interests at this place, Messrs. Roger Bros, own a large amount of land in St. 
Landry and adjoining parishes. E. C. Roger was married, in 1872. to Miss 
Anna Hinckley, of Washington. They have become the parents of two children, 
Frank M. and George L., both of whom are now in Centenary College, Jackson, 

Louisiana. » 

« * 

*^ L. M. ROGER, Arnaudville. — L. M. Roger, a prominent merchant 
of St. Landry parish, and a member of the firm Roger Bros., is a native oi St. 
Martin parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Francois and M. (Thibodeaux) 
Roger, natives of Louisiana. He was born in 1843, and spent his school days 
in St. Martin parish. During the war, before the battle of Shiloh, lie joined 
the Orleans Guards Battalion and was subsequently transferred to the Third 
Louisiana Infantry, in which he served until the regiment disbanded. He was 
in many of the active engagements in which his department participated. At 
Spanish Fort, near Mobile, he received a flesh wound which disabled him until 
the time of the surrender. On coming home after the war he began a mercan- 
tile business as sub-manager for U. A. Gilbeau, of this place, and was in his 
employ for some time. He w'as subsequently emploj-ed at Breaux Bridge, 
Abbeville, and there became the partner of Joseph Plonsk}' in a mercantile bus- 
iness. In 1875 lie removed to St. Landr}- parish, where he engaged in mercan- 
tile business, in partnership with his brother. In July, 1885, he was married to 
MissD. .v. Hincklev. of St. Landrv parish. He is a prominent Mason. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 7:5 

^ JUDGE M. ROBERIA, Washington.— Judge Roberia is a native of this 
State, born in St. Landry parish in 1847. He is the son of Dr. K. and Celesie 
( Vidrine ) Roberia. Dr. Roberia was a native of France and was for man\- 3-ears 
a practising ph\'sician of St. Landry parisli. Here he married our subject's mother, 
who was a native of Louisiana, and to them were born three children, of whom 
the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Dr. Roberia died in this parish in 1S82. 
Judge Roberia was married in this parish, in 1886, to Miss Clarissa Stephens, 
a native of Louisiana. They became the parents of five daughters and five sons. 
The judge of late 3'ears has attended to his plantation exclusively. He and wife 
are members of the Catholic church. . He is also member of the Farmers" 
Alliance. * 

J. T. SKIPPER, Opei.ousas. — Mr. Skipper, cashier of the First National 
Dank of Opelousas, was born in Stephenville, Erath count}', Texas. He attended 
school at Grandberr)', Texas, and subsequently entered the emploj'ment of the 
Wolf City Bank, Wolf City, Texas, and afterward was engaged with the National 
Exchange Bank, Dallas, Texas. His close attention to business soon rendered him 
highly eflicient in all departments of the banking business, and opened to him places 
of preferment above older employes ot the bank. But Mr. Skipper was not sat- 
isfied to remain as an employe: consequently, in looking around for an opening, 
and the necessities for a bank at Opelousas being patent, he came here and suc- 
cejsfullv centered the attention of the leading business men upon the question, 
and the result of his efforts was the organization of the First National Bank of 
Opelousas, with a capital stock of $50,000. Of this institution iNIr. Alphonse 
Levy is President and S. Joseph Wilson, \'ice President. The bank is in the 
most flourishing condition and supplies a long felt want to the business men in 
Opelousas. Mr. Skipper understands all the intricacies of the banking business, 
and the people of Opelousas could have secured no one who would have been 
more fitted for the position he occupies. Although of an intensely business 
predilection. Mr. Skipper enjoys the pleasures of the social circle and is one of 
the leaders in Opelousas societ}-. He is a member of the K/iights of P^-thias. 

LEONCE SANDOZ, Opelousas. — Leonce Sandoz, editor and publisher 
of the Opelousas Courier, is a native of Louisiana, born March 15, 1844. He 
is tlie son of Joel H. and Ann (Wiiburn) Sandoz. Joel H. Sandoz ^^■as a nJietive 
of Switzerland, born 1818. He removed to America at the age of sixteen, 
locating in St. Martin parish, where he was engaged in the printing business 
until 1843, when he removed to Opelousas and became connected with the Ope- 
lousas Gazette. He founded the Opelousas Courier December 11, 1852, and 
conducted it until December 17, 1870, when the subject of this sketch and his 
brother, L. A., assumed active charge, though he was still connected with the paper 



74 soryyjwEST LOriS/.\.\A: 

at the lime of his de.uli, January 4, 1S7S. Leonce andL. A. Sandoz condi:cled the 
paper jointly until January i, 1S91, when the partnership was dissolved and L. 
A. assumed charge, as editor and publisher of the St. Landry Democrat. 

Leonce Sandoz left school at the age of seventeen years, and enlisted in the 
Confederate army. He was in active service and served during the whole of 
the war. He was in the Army of Northern Virginia under Stonewall Jackson 
until October, 1862, when he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Depart- 
ment, and served the remainder of the war in the famous Bull Battery, Capt. 
Fuller commanding. He was captured in Virginia on Jackson's retreat from 
Harper's Ferr}', June, 1862, and sent to Fort Delaware, where he was exchanged 
in Auoust of the same year. He participated in the second battle of Manassas, 
and the fi<>-ht at Winchester, Maj-, 1862. In the Trans-Mississippi Department 
he was em^aged in the battle at Camp Bisland, on board of gun-boat John A. 
Coiton: and he was again captured at Fort DeRussy, and held prisoner at New 
Orleans for tive months. He was near Nachitoches at the close of the war. 
After the war he returned to Opelousas and entered the printing business in the 
office of the Courier, and to this he has given his undivided attention since that 
time. The favor with which this paper has been received is ample evidence of 
the able manner in which it has been conducted during the thirty-eight years of 
its e-tistence. A full history of the paper will be found in the History of the 
Press, in another part of this work. 

Mr. Sandoz was married, in 1868, to Miss Helen L. Reynolds, a native of 
liaton Rouge. They are the parents of six children; H. H., Fred, Allen T., 
May, Estelle and Peyton. Mr. Sandoz and family are Catholics. 

» « 

J. T. STEWART, Opelousas. — Mr. Stewart, an enterprising citizen and 
lumber merchant of Opelousas, was born in Alabama, November 4, 1S54. His 
father, A. Stewart, is a native of North Carolina. His mother, Martha Bass, 
was a native of South Carolina. While young they moved to Alabama, where 
their children were born, six in number, all of whom now reside in Louisiana. 
They subsequently moved to Mississippi in 1864. They now are residents of 
Chicot, Louisiana. 

J. T. Stewart was reared partly in Alabama and partly in Mississippi. He 
received a limited education, but has always kept himself well informed. He 
gave his attention to saw-milling until 1881, when he located in Opelousas. and 
opened the business in which he is now engaged. Mr. Stewart was one of the 
pioneer citizens of the new and growing town of Crowley, Acadia parish, 
Louisiana, in which he owns considerable property. After residing there two 
years he moved back to Opelousas and began his present business. He is a 
man of good judgment and has met with success. 

He married Miss Amanda Sunerlin, also a native of Alabama. They are 



inSTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 75 

the parents of two children : Jimmie, Willie, and they are rearing them with 
ever_v possible advantage. . ^ 

J. P. SAIZAN, M. D., Opelousas. — Dr. Saizan is a native of St. Lan- 
dry parish, Louisiana. He is a son of D. P. and Phekite (Robin) Saizan, of 
whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. 

Dr. Saizan, at an early age, entered St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, 
Louisiana, where he remained two years. He afterward graduated in the com- 
mercial department of Manhattan College, New York City, at the head of his 
class. 

In iSS6 he received from this college the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and 
subsequently that of Master of Arts. Subsequently he entered the medical 
department of Tulane University. While there he stood a successful competi- 
tive examination for entrance into the Charity Hospital as resident student. 
Desiring to receive the practical benefits derived from his position, he served 
until iS9oin this institution as interne and ambulance surgeon. 

Immediately upon leaving here Dr. Saizan located in Opelousas, where he 
has since practised. He has succeeded in ingratiating himself in the confidence 
and esteem of those with whom he has cast his lot. The future holds much in 
store for him. 

He married, September 30, 1890, one of Opelousas' most accomplished 
ladies, Miss Bessie, daughter of Thomas H. Lewis, a prominent attorney of this 
plice. ^ 

DAVID P. SAIZAN, Port Barre. — Mr. Saizan is a native of St. Ljin- 
dry, born March 9, 1828. He is the son of Alexis and Serephine Saizan, natives 
of Pointe Coupee and St. James parishes respectively. Alexis Saizan died in 
St. Landry in 1834, when about fifty years of age, his wife surviving him several 
years. The Saizan family have most of them been planters. 

The subject of our sketch spent his school days in St. Landr\', residing with 
his mother until her death. When but a boy he commenced planting, which he 
has followed ever since. He has been very successful in business pursuits 
and now ow'ns seven hundred and fifty acres of land, nearly all of which 
is under cultivation; also considerable town property. Since 1865 he has 
alternately devoted his attention to merchandising and planting. In 1872 
he removed to the place where he now resides, and has since been en- 
gaged in receiving and forwarding merchandise. In addition to this, in 
1875, be opened a general mercantile establishment, in which business he 
has been very successful. He became post-master of Port Barre in 1874. 
He now owns nearly all the property in this place. He has served as member of 
the police jur^- for a period of eight \ ears and has been justice of the peace for 



TC SOUTHWEST L O UlSIAXA : 

two years. Although sixty years of age, he is hale and hearty and looks man)' 
vears j'ounger than he reallv is. In 1847 he married Felicite Robin, daughter of 
Otto Robin, of St. Landry parish. They are tlie parents of four living ciiil- 
dren, viz: Dr. J. P., Alozire, Arsene and Bertha. Mr. Saizan is a gentleman 
of a most charitable and magnanimous disposition. He has reared and started 
in life eight orphan children, and at the present time has charge of three. 



CAPTAIN. JONES P. SMITH, Opelousas.— Captain Smith was born in 
Troop count}', Georgia, February 15, 1833. He is the son of Simon and Sarah 
(Persons) Smith, both natives of Georgia. They were married in this Stale, and 
removed to Alabama in 1847. Simon Smitli was a farmer by occupation. He 
died in Alabama in 1870, his wife surviving him until 1883. 

The subject of our sketcli was reared and received his education in the re- 
spective States in which his pai^ents resided. He removed to Louisiana in 1853, 
and located in Claiborne parish, where he remained until the breaking out of the 
war. At its beginning he enlisted as a private in Company B, Twelfth Louisiana 
Infantry, and in the organization of the company he was elected its captain. 
He participated in the battles at Belmont, Missouri'; Shiloh, Corinth, Mississippi, 
and Vicksburg, and was with Hood in his Tennessee campaign. He served 
until the close of the war, aild was with General Hood in South Carolina at the 
time of the surrender. When the war closed Captain Smith returned to his 
home in Claiborne parish and devoted himself to his plantation interests. He 
removed to St. Landry parish in 1867, where he now owns thirteen hundred 
acres of land, nine hundred acres of which are under cultivation, chiefly in 
cotton and corn. Captain Smith was married in 1858 to Mattie E. Boring, 
daughter of Joseph and Sicily (Wafer) Boring. To them was born one son — 
Theo. S., who is now practising medicine in Acadia parish. Mrs. Smith died 
in 1859, at Homer, Louisiana. The Captain subsequently married Laura A. 
Sassiter. She died in 1884. Captain Smith has been a prominent member of 
the Masonic fraternity since 1854. 

* * 

C-APT. E. W. SYLVESTER, Palmetto.— Capt. E. W. Sylvester was 
born in Waldo county. Maine, in 1S39. He is the son of Daniel W. and Lydia 
vSylvester, who were both natives of Maine. Daniel W. Sylvester was a mill- 
wright b}^ occupation ; he died in 1888, at the age of seventy-six years. His 
mother died when Capt. E. W. Sylvester was an infant. He was the only child, 
and had the best educational advantages. At the age of fifteen, on account of 
ill health, he left school, went to Europe, and for several years followed a sv;a- 
man's life. 

At the breaking out of the war he entered the Sixth Maine Infantr}-, and 



HISrORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. I't 

was in active service during the whole war. He entered as a private, but was 
afterward promoted. Mis field of operation was wholly in Virginia. He was 
wounded several times. 

After the war he operated a canning factory in Portland, rtlaine, until com- 
ing South in 1867, when he located where he now resides. Here he purchased 
about one thousand acres of land, upon which cotton and sugar are cultivated. 
He has taken quite an interest in raising a fine grade of stock, and has now the 
finest stock to be found in this section of the country. In tlie overflow of 1882 
he lost heavily from loss of stock and otherwise. 

Capt. S3-lvester was married, in 1858, to Miss Mary Simpson, of Kennebec 
countv, Maine. Their family is composed of five children, three sons and two 
dau:^"hters. The Captain and his wife are members of the Unitarian churcli. 

* * 

V I. E. SHUTE, M. D. Shut]:stox. — Dr. I. E. Shute is a native of Lawrence 
couTity, Ohio, born in November, 1S50. His parents. Captain J. G. Shute and 
Sarah Smith, were both natives of the same countv. They were reared and 
married here, and became the parents of four children, our subject being the 
eldest. J. G. Shute was a steamboat captain, and was killed in the explosion of 
the "David Wiiite," in 1867, at Greenville. His wife died, in iS54,at her home 
in Lawrence county, Ohio. 

Dr. Shute had good educational facilities as a boy, and at the age of 
eighteen years he engaged in the drug business at Ashland, Kentuck\-, in 
partnership with Dr. J. W. Martin, in which business he continued for about 
two vears, when he sold his interest in the store and removed to Louisville, 
Kentucky. He studied medicine in Louisville, at the same time practising in 
the Charit}^ Hospital there. Here he remained until 1873, in which year he 
graduated. He located in Bo3-d count}', Kentucky, and practised medicine for 
two years, when he removed to his old home in Lawrence county, Ohio, prac- 
tising his profession there during the year 1876, when he removed to New Or- 
leans, and bought an interest in the "Col. A. P. Kouns," of which he was clerk 
for two years. The "Kouns" sunk in 1878, thirty miles below Alexandria, on 
Red River. After this unfortunate event he again resumed the practice of his 
profession, at the same time operating a plantation near Opelousas. In 1883 he 
sold his plantation and returned to Ashland, Boyd county, Kentucky, where 
he bouglit a home and practised his profession for about twelve months, when 
he sold his property there. In the spring of 1884 he again returned to St. Lan- 
dry parish, Louisiana, locating seven miles south of Opelousas, where he now 
resides and practises medicine. In connection with his professional duties, he 
has an interest in a mercantile business conducted on his premises by C. V. De- 
jan. The doctor was married during his travels in Lawrence county, Ohio, in 

1874, to Georgia Kouns, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Captain I. H. Kouns. They 



78 SOCTJ/jrEST LOr/S/A.VA : 

have liad born to tliem four children: James I., Frank C, Irene E., and Mattie 
K. After his extended travels, the doctor gives it as his opinion that Louisiana 
is the garden spot of the world, and is satisfied to make it his home. He has 
succeeded in building up a remunerative practice, and stands high in the medi- 
cal profession of St. Landry parish. 

* 

* * 

"' JUDGE ARTHUR SIMON, Opelousas.— Judge Simon, a successful 
planter, resides on his plantation about four miles southwest of Opelousas. He 
was born in New Orleans on the 15th March, 1841, and is one of a family of 
ten children born to Edward and Eugenie (Zerban) Simon. Edward Simon is 
a native of Belgium and came to America at the age of eighteen years. His 
wife is a native of St. Martin's parish, Louisiana, and descendant of the old 
Fuselier family. 

Edward Simon was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Louisi- 
ana under the administration of Governor Roman', from 1841 to 1849. He died 
in 1867 at St. Martinsville, Louisiana, his wife surviving him until 1880. All 
of the Simon family are Catholics. 

The subject of our sketch received most of his education at the Louisiana 
College (the old Jefferson) in St. James parish, and graduated at what is now 
known as the Tulane University of Louisiana. In 1862 he enlisted in the Con- 
federate States service and was made a Lieutenant in the Yellow Jacket Battalion, 
commanded by Colonel Fournet, which was afterward consolidated with the 
Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry. In 1864 he was promoted to the rank of major. 
He was in many of the active engagements in which his regiment participated, 
and was with General Kirby Smith at the time of the surrender. 

After the war he determined to study law, but, after pursuing his studies a 
short while, was forced to abandon it and take charge of his father's sugar plan- 
tation in St. Mar\' parish. In 1874 '^^ I'emoved to St. Landry parish, where he 
was married, in 1865, to Miss Marie Dejean. To them have been born five chil- 
dren, one son and four daughters: Rita, wife of E. V. Barry, of Grand Coteau, 
Louisiana; Lelia, Mary, Sidonie and Leopold. Mrs. Simon died in 1879. Judge 
Simon subsequently married Miss Mathilda Dejean, sister of his first wife. 

Judge Simon was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court at Opelou- 
sas in 1876. He practised law until 1888 in Opelousas, where for four years 
he was justice of the peace. Since that time he has given his entire attention 
to the operation of his plantation, which is one of about three hundred acres, 
highly improved and of unsurpassed fertility. 

J. P. SAVANT, G.\RLAND. —Mr. Savant is an example of what an ener- 
getic 3-oung man can accomplish. He is a native of St. Landry parish, Louisi- 
ana, and is yet a young man, being only in his twenty-second year. He is a son 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 79 

of Adol|)h and Mary (McDaniel) Savant, both natives of St. Landry parish. 
I lis father was a very successful planter and owned one of the finest plantations 
of Bayou Bceuf , near Whiteville. He lived a quiet and unassuming life, devoting 
liimself exclusively to his plantation interests. He died in 1882, at the age of 
fifty-two vears. Mrs. Savant is still living, in Avoj-elles parish, near Eola. 
Young J. P. Savant was reared in his native parish and received the benefit of a 
thorough academic education. He was reared on a plantation, and began life at 
the age of sixteen years as a clerk in a general mercantile establishment at White- 
ville, in which he was engaged for a period aggregating four years. During 
this time he saved sutScient money to begin business on a small scale for himself, 
and, in 1888, he began the mercantile business at Garland, and subsequently he 
became a partner in a large mercantile house in Whiteville. There are few 
young men in this section who have accomplished more than Mr. Savant at his 
age. He has been abundantly successful in his business thus far, and, accept- 
ing this as an index to his future, in addition to having a knowledge of his strict 
business habits, we may predict that the first chapter in a continued storv of 
success has but ended. ^ 

^ CHARLES R. STEELE, Opelousas.— Mr. Steele is a planter Hving four 
miles south of Opelousas. He is one of a family of five children born to Peter 
Steele and Catherine Fresh. His father was a native of Sweden and his mother 
of Madison, Indiana. His father was for many years captain of an ocean steamer 
on the Atlantic. He subsequently ran a tow-boat line from New Orleans to the 
gulf for a number of years. He died in New Orleans in 1867. His wife still 
survives him. 

The subject of this sketch began life for himself at the age of eighteen years. 
He served a five 3'ears' apprenticeship, learning the trade of ship builder at New 
Orleans. In 186S he was appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal. In this capacity he 
served for about fifteen years, when he was appointed Deputy Collector of In- 
ternal Revenue, in which capacity he served four years, when he removed to the 
plantation on which he now resides. Mr. Steele has a plantation consisting of 
four hundred acres of land, the most of which is under cultivation and highh* 
improved. He was married, in 1873, in Mobile, Alabama, to Miss Laura \. 
Jones, daughter of Dr. W. E. Jones, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. There has 
been born to them nine children: William, Charles, Frank, Vemelle (deceased), 
Charles Peter (deceased), Wharton, Alfred P., Laura V. and Charles Emmett. 
Mr. Steele is a member of the Episcopal and his wife of the Baptist church. 

, * « 

^ GEORGE S. SINGLETON, Bayou Chicot.— Mr. Singleton is a native 
of Louisiana, born in 1859. ^^ grew to manhood and received his education in 
the city of New Orleans. He is the son of C. B. and Anna E. Singleton, 



80 S0l'77I]]ES7' LOriSIAXA: 

natives of St. Landry parish, Louisiana, and Min^vland, respectively. C. B. 
Singleton is an active lawyer in New Orleans, where he has practised his pro- 
fession for a number of j-ears. 

Young George S. Singleton received the best educational advantagt-s 
afforded in the schools of Louisiana, and, in 1867, he went to Europe, where he 
pursued his studies until 1871, when he returned to New Orleans, and was there 
engaged in business until 1875, wlien he removed to St. Landry parish to take 
charge of his father's plantation, which is one of the finest and most producti\-e 
in the parish. 

Mr. Singleton is united in marriage with Miss Clementine Phelps, a native 
of St. Mary parish, Louisiana, and daugliter of N. H. and Clementine Phelps. 
Her father is a native of Connecticut and her mother of Louisiana. 

Mr. Singleton is undoubtedh' one of the busiest men, as well as the most 
successful, in St. Landry parish. The operation of his immense plantation requires 
his full attention, and his success is due to the untiring energy which he manifests 
in its management. Mr. Singleton and wife arg the parents of six children: 
Chas. F., Ellen C William E., Ellen H., Clementine G. and George L. 

* * 

^ VALENTINE SAVOY, Ciiataignier.— Mr. Savoy is a native of St. 
Landr}- parish, born in 1836. He is the son of Valcour and Eugenia (Reyder) 
Savoy, the former a native of St. Landry, and the latter of Rapides parisli. \'al- 
cour Savoy is a son of Placide Savoy, also a native of St. Landry. 

The subject of our sketch received his education in the common schools of 
St. Landry parish. He began life at the age of twenty years, and was first en- 
gaged in the manufacture of spinning wheels, which he followed until 186S, when 
he began a mercantile business in Chataignier, at the same lime operating a plan- 
tation. This dual business he conducted successfully until 1879, since which time 
he has given his attention chiefly to his plantation. He is also operating in con- 
nection with this a large gin, and for a portion of the time a saw-mill. Mr. Savoy 
has a fine plantation of about six hundred acres, and cultivates rice and cotton 
principally. 

He was married, in 18S5, to Denise Fruger, a native of St. Landr}- parish, 
born in 1838, and of one of the oldest families of the parish. To them have 
been born eight children, six of whom are now living, viz: Agelas, Catherine, 
wife of Francois Savoy; Valentine, wife of Alexander Agelar; Clara, wife of 
Numa Agelar; Arras and Louis. Mr. Savoy has filled different positions of 
trust with efficiency. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

* 

* » 
■/ 

J. J. THOINIPSON, Opelousas. — J. J. Thompson, familiarly known as 

Jack Thompson, Treasurer of St. Landr}' parish, is a native of this parish, born 



HISrORlCAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 81 

March lo, 1S52. He is the son of Colonel James M. and Celestine (Dupre) 
Thompson. Colonel James M. Thompson was born in i8i8on the ocean, under 
an Englisli Hag, while his parents were on their way as immigrants to America. 
His parents settled in Illinois, near Shawneetown, where they lived and died. 
Life at Shawneetown grew monotonous to Colonel Thompson, and at an early 
age he left his paternal roof and went out to face the world for himself. When 
the war broke out between the United States and Mexico it afforded an inviting 
field of excitement to his restless disposition. As a consequence of this, he 
enlisted in the United States service and served through the whole of the strug- 
gle. At its close he came to Louisiana, studied medicine in New Orleans and 
became a successful practitioner in St. Landry parish. At the breaking out 
of war between the States, in 1861, he entered the Confederate States ser- 
vice as captain of a company which he had organized. His company was 
assigned to the Second Louisiana Regiment. He was subsequently commis- 
sioned major and afterward colonel. He was acting in the latter capacity at the 
cessation of hostilities. The hardships of the war at liis age told upon his phy- 
sical manhood, and as a result of this he did not resume the duties of his pro- 
fession after the war. He sold his plantation, located in Opelousas, opened a 
drug store and gave his attention to general business. He conducted a large 
mercantile business; was interested in a steamboat; and, subsequently, was 
appointed slieriff of St. Landry parish, and finally was elected recorder of the 
parish, in which latter capacity he served four 3^ears. He died in 1885, after a 
life full of exciting events and general usefulness. 

The mother of our subject was born in this parish of French parentage. 
She became the mother of ten children, of which J. J. Thompson is the fourth 
in the order of their birth. 

J. J. Thompson was educated at the Louisiana State University, but owing 
to the delicate state of his health he was unable to remain at college long enough 
lo complete his course. At an early age he was employed in the sheriff's office, 
and was subsequently appointed executive deputy in the tax collector's ofiice. 
He was afterward appointed superintendent of registration for the parish, and 
in this capac;ity served two years, at the end of which time he went to New 
Orleans and studied law. He was admitted to the bar and practised in Opelou- 
sas a short period. In 1S85 he was married to Miss Rosa Boagni, the daughter 
of a wealthy physician of St. Landrj' parish. Finding the freedom of a plan- 
tation life more congenial to his taste than that of an attorney's office, Mr. 
Thompson abandoned the profession of the law, and he has become one of the 
thrifty and successful planters and stock raisers of St. Landry parish. During 
a part of the time in which he had control of the plantation he devoted himself 
to the culture of sugar cane, but for the last eight j-ears cotton planting and 
stock raising has been his principal vocation. His success in the breeding of 



82 SOL'THW'Esr I.OUISIAN'A: 

fine slock has lieen marked, as is attested \i\ the fine grade of horses and cattle 
which lie now has on his place. Although not an aspirant for office, Mr. Thomp- 
son was appointed returning officer for St. Landr}' parish in 1874 '^y Governor 
McEnerVi and was retained by Governor NichoUs, and is the present incum- 
bent of that office. He was elected treasurer of St. Landry parish in June, 
1S88, and performs the duties of that office at the present time. Mr. Thomp- 
son's wife was an accomplished lady and highly educated. She became the 
mother of two children, Adela and Jennie.' In the bloom of womanhood and 
just when life had gained its strongest grasp, she was called to eternity on June 

2, 1888, 

* * 

E. SUMTER TAYLOR. Opelousas.— E. Sumter Taj-lor, assessor of St. 
Landrj- parish, is a native of the parish, born 1841. He was educated at the 
Military Institute, formerly located at Alexandria, Louisiana, and was at this 
institution at the beginning of the war. This cut short his schooling, and lie 
entered the Confederate service in 1861, enlisting in the Opelousas Guards, 
which belonged to the Eighth Louisiana Regiment, of which Governor Francis 
T. Nicholls was lieutenant colonel. This regiment was assigned to duty in the 
Army of Northern Virginia, and Mr. Taj-lor was here in active service for four 
years, with the exception of the period when he was a prisoner at Johnson's 
Island. Here he suffered untold hardships. Man}- of his companions died of 
starvation while in prison. After the war Mr. Ta3'lor located in Marksville, 
Louisiana, where he engaged in the drug business. He married there Miss Ellen 
S. Taylor. To this union has been born one child, Constance. Mrs. Taylor 
died in 1872, and Mr. Taylor subsequentlj^ married Miss Allice E. Satterfield. 
To them have been born five children. Mar}-, Estelle, Margeiy, Helen and 
Edward S. 

Mr. Taylor returned to St. Landry parish in 1873, locating in Washington » 
where he engaged in a drug business. He subsequently came to Opelousas, 
and was for some time emplo3'ed as a clerk in a drug store. He was appointed 
clerk of the Supreme Court at Opelousas in 1881, and served three years, when 
he was appointed parish assessor, and is the present efficient incwmbent of that 

office. * 

* * 

*^ T. T. TARLTON, M. D., Grand Cotkau.— Dr. Tarlton is a native of 
St. Mary's parish, born April 10, 1847. He is the son of John and Frances A. 
(Caller) Tarlton. John Tarlton was married twice; our subject being the son 
of the second wife. John Tarlton was a native of Maryland, and at different 
times resided in South Carolina, Texas and Louisiana. 

The subject of our sketch is a graduate of St. Charles College, Grand 
Coteau. He was there from 1863 to 1869, in which year he graduated. He was 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 83 

a student at the ^[edical College of Alabama, located at Mobile, from which in- 
stituticn he is a graduate. He began practice near Washington, St. Landry par- 
ish. In 1872 he removed to Pattersonville, St. Mary parish, and in 1873 to Ellis 
county, Texas, where he practised eight years. In 1883 he returned to Grand 
Coteau, where he has practised his profession since that time. 

He married, in 1881, Miss Constance Littell, daugliter of Isaac and Mary 
(Ha\\) Littell, of Grand Coteau. To them have been born five children — two 
sons and three daughters. 

The Doctor owns two plantations of about three hundred and seventy -five 
acres, near Grand Coteau, on which he cultivates cotton and corn. Dr. Tarlton 
is a successful physician and useful citizen. Both he and his wife are members 

of the Catholic church. ^. 

* * 

^ WILLIAM M. THOMPSON, M. D., Opelousas.— Dr. William M. 
Thompson is a native of the State, born in Opelousas, December 25, 1849. He 
is tlie son ot A. J. Thompson. 

Dr. Thompson was reared in his native State, and received his cliief literary 
education in Franklin College, this State. At the age of eighteen years he en- 
tered the medical department of Tulane University, New Orleans. Here he 
evinced not only his superior intellect, but his disposition in applying it. In the 
competitive examination for the position of resident student in the Charity Hos- 
pital, a much coveted honor, he was successful; and for nearly three years he 
occupied that position. He graduated and received his diploma in April, 1872. 
Immediately upon the completion of his course. Dr. Thompson returned to his 
home in Opelousas, and here he located in the practice of his profession. Here 
he continued to practise until 1876, in which year he married Miss Kate R3'an, 
daughter of Judge M. Ryan, ot Alexandria, Louisiana. After his marriage he 
practiced his profession in Alexandria for about two years, when he returned to 
Opelousas and resumed his practise at that place. 

Dr. Thompson is a skilled physician, and highly distinguished in his pro- 
fession. He has a large practice and is one of the most popular physicians in 
this section. He is eminently a man of progressive views and ever ready to 
^^uppo^t a deserving cause. He has for eight years filled the office of parish 
coroner. 

Dr. Thompson's happy home is gladdened with seven children, three sons 
and four daughters, to whom he proposes to extend the best educational and 

social facilities. 

* * 

EDWARD THOMPSON, M. D., Ville Platte.— Dr. Tliompson is a 
native of St. Landry parish, born in 1853. He is one of a family of nine chil- 
dren born to Thomas H. and Nancy (Griffith) Thompson. Both were natives of 



84 HISTORICAL AXD lUOGRAnilCAL. 

Louisiana. His father has foUovved the occupation of school teaclier durini,^lhe 
greater part of his life. He was police juror from his ward for a period of eiijht 
years, and is now a resident of St. Landry parish. 

Dr. Thompson was principally educated at Opelousas. He commenced the 
study of medicine in 1872, attending lectures at Tulane University in 1872-73. 
He then went to the Cincinnati Medical College, where he graduated in 1S75. He 
began to practise his profession at Whileville, in this parish, and subsequently 
removed to this place. 

The doctor was married, in 1876, to Miss Sarah McMillan, a native of 
Georgia. Dr. Thompson has devoted his whole time to his profession since the 
completion of his course. He has prospered. 

Dr. Thompson is a beneficent and public-spirited gentleman. He and wife 
are the parents of six children, viz : Madeline A., Florence E., Nancy A., D;ivid, 
Chester A., Ollie. * 

t^ C. ]\L THOMPSON, Oi'Eloisas.— C. M. Thompson was born in St. 
Landr}- parish in 1853. He is the son of A. J. and Lucretia Thompson. A. J. 
Thompson came South with his parents before he attained his majority, and 
ocated at Opelousas. Here he opened a drug store, but he lost ever\-thing 
bv the war. Shortly after this he received a sunstroke, which rendered him 
an invalid the rest of his life, and he died in 1879. Mrs. Lucretia Thompson 
is a native of St. Landry parish. Her father was born in New Hampshire, and 
her grandfatl-.er was a native of Canada. 

C. M. Thompson's education and opportunities for material advancement 
were restricted by the necessities of his widowed mother and a large famil\- of 
younger brothers and sisters. He supported the family b}' his own earnings and 
saved monej' enough to enter the livery business. He was elected first constable 
of Ward i in 1884, and held the position for one term. He was appointed post- 
master at Opelousas by President Grant in 1S76, and held the position until 1S7S, 
when he resigned to become a candidate for sheriff of St. Landry parish, but 
was defeated. He was appointed register of the parish, and later was elected 
marshal, and held that position until 1879. He was elected district clerk, 1888, 
and is the present efficient incumbent of that office. 

Mr. Thompson was married in 1876 to Miss V. S Garland. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Lodge and tlie American Legion of Honor. 

* * 
EDWARD P. VEAZIE, Opelousas.— Mr. Veazie, one of the oldest mem- 
bers of the Opelousas bar, was born in St. Landry parish in 1850. He is the 
son of Philip Veazie and Anne C. Foley. Philip Veazie was born in Portland, 
Maine, and was by occupation a ship builder. He came south early in life, and 
settled in Louisiana, where he married in 1S48. He was a victim of the gold 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 87 

fever of '48, and in the year 1849 went to San Francisco, leaving his family in 
Opelousas. There he died in the latter part of 1850. 

E. P. Veazie was reared in St. Landrj- parish by Judge G. E. Iludspetii, 
and was educated in the University of Louisiana. On beginning active business 
life he first worked for a period of two years in the district clerk's office. He 
then studied law under his foster father at Baton Rouge, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1874. Up to 1879 ^^ ^^^ justice of the peace, when he began a regular 
practice. He does the largest criminal practice at the bar of Opelousas at this 
time. 

Mr. Veazie is united in marriage with Miss Corinne Hebrard. They are 
the parents of two children — Annie and Ailene. 

\y » * 

YVES VIDRINE, Ville Platte. — Mr. Vidrine is a successful merchant 
of Ville Platte. He is a native of the parish, born December 23, 1833. He is 
the son of John B. and Domelise (Guillory) Vidrine, natives of Louisiana. John 
B. Vidrine was a successful planter. He died in St. Landrj' parisli in 1837. 
His wife died in 1886. 

The subject of this sketch was married in St. Landry parisli, in 1852, to 
Miss Leontine Ortego, a native of Louisiana, born July 16, 1838. Seven sons 
and six daughters were born to this union, seven of whom are living: E. E., 
L. G., Mary C. (wife of Alfred Stagg), Alice (wife of Clinton Reed;, Martha, 
Helena, and AmelieAdele. The following are deceased: John B., Cleophas 
J., Josephine, Jos. E., and Henry J. 

Yves Vidrine commenced a drug business at Ville Platte in 1866, and in 
this continued until 1880, when he began a general mercantile business, which 
he has followed up to the present time. He does a good business, and i.s^ 
prosperous. 

During the late war Mr. ^'idrine was in active service for the greater part of 
its duration. He enlisted as a private, in 1862, in Companjr H., under Miles 
Legion ; and was afterward promoted to Sergeant Major in Weatherly Battalion. 
At the siege of Port Hudson he was taken prisoner, but was soon paroled and 
exchanged. He served to the close of the war. 

Five years previous to 1861, he had served as post-master of Ville Platte. 
In 1866 he was reappointed, and served until 1871. In 1875 he was sent to tlie 
Legislature as representative of St. Landry parish. He was again sent in 1879, 
and served with distinction. He has held various oflices, amongst others that of 
justice of the peace, assessor and auctioneer. Bj'hard working he has qualified 
himself as an apothecary and holds a certificate as such, signed b}- the Medico 
Surgical Association of St. Landry parish, dated April 15, 1872. He is now, 
and lias been since 1872, a notar}' public. His son, E. E. Vidrine, is associated 
with him in business. 
Ca 



«8 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

^ AURELIE VIDRINE, Ville Platte.— Mr. Vidrine, a planter of ward 
7, is a native of Louisiana. He was born in the parish in which he now resides, 
February, 1843. He is the son of H. N. Vidrine. (For sketch of father see 
biograpliy elsewiiere.) 

The subject of this sketch was reared and received his education near where 
he now resides. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Twelfth Louisiana Infantry, 
and served until the close of the war. After the war he returned home and 
engaged in planting, which has been his principal occupation all his life. In 
1871-72 he conducted a mercantile business on his plantation. 101889 '"^ erected 
a steam grist mill and cotton gin, which he still operates. He owns, in all, about 
three hundred and fifty acres of land, the principal products of which are cotton 
and corn. His plantation is well improved, and is arranged in modern st3'le. 

Mr. Vidrine was married in 1866 to Miss Zoe Fusulier, of St. Landrj- par- 
ish. Ten children have been born to them. 

* 
* • 

"^ ALCIN VIDRINE, Washington.— Mr. Vidrine is a native of St. Landry 

parish, born October 21, 1S45. He is the son of Antoine and Josephine (Or- 

tego) Vidrine, natives of Louisiana, where they were married and became the 

parents of sixteen children, nine of whom are living. 

Alcin Vidrine was reared and received his education in St. Landry parish. 
In 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth Louisiana Regiment, and was in 
many of the active engagements of the war. At Glasgow, Kentucky, he was 
taken prisoner, 1S62. Next year he was paroled, and recaptured at Chickamauga 
and kept prisoner for twenty months, until May, 1865. After the war he was 
engaged in planting and merchandising, which he continued for seven years. 
■Since 1882 he has given his mercantile business his chief attention, though he 
owns a plantation of about five hundred acres, which is cultivated by tenants. 

Mr. Vidrine was married in St. Landry parish, in 1867, to Miss Mary E. 
Thompson, a native of Louisiana, born in 1S48. Mr. Vidrine and wife are 
members of the Catholic clnirch. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. 

* 

JOHN M. WARE, Shuteston. — Mr. Ware is a native of Texas, born 
August 17, 1857. His parents, Henry W. and Martha A. (Everett) Ware, are 
natives of Georgia, where they were reared and married. The family is of 
English extraction on both sides. Our subject is the youngest of a family of nine 
children. His father removed from Texas to New Orleans in 1866, having been 
one of the pioneer settlers of Texas. Here he engaged in a brokerage and com- 
mission business. After a few years he abandoned this and devoted himself to 
the culture of sugar cane in Iberville parish, Louisiana. He owned what is known 
as the "Belle Grove" plantation, \\hich contained about twenty-one hundred 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 89 

acres of land.* He was engaged in sugar culture until 1878, when he sold the 
plantation to his two sons, John ]M. and James A. Ware. The latter now owns 
and operates the plantation. John M. Ware sold his interest in the plantation in 
1879. Their father was married twice, his first wife being the mother of our 
subject. She died at Long Beach, Mississippi, in 1878. The father now resides 
at Pass Christian. 

The subject of our sketch received good educational advantages, having at- 
tended the Homer College, Louisiana, and the University of East Tennessee, 
Knoxville. He began life for himself, at the age of twenty-one years, as a planter. 
He removed to St. Landry parish, twelve miles southwest of Opelousas, in 1882, 
where he bought what is known as the "Dixon Grove" plantation, which con- 
tains nearly one thousand acres of very fertile land. Mr. Ware has given con- 
siderable attention to stock raising, and has on his plantation about one hundred 
and thirty head of graded cattle, besides horses, mules, etc. The principal prod- 
ucts of his plantation are cotton and rice. 

INIr. Ware commenced the artesian well business in 1887. He purchased a 
steam outfit, and did his first work on "Evergreene" plantation, three miles 
below the town of Plaquemine, the first well sunk in Louisiana above New 
Orleans. He has since done work on the Mississippi River, on the Teche, on 
Ba}'ou Lafourche and Bayou Cypremort and in St. Landry parisii. He organ- 
ized the John M. Ware Well Company, 1889, and they now take, contracts in 
different sections of the country. Mr. Ware is a Democrat in politics. 

MAJOR M. R. WILSON, Opelousas.— Major M. R. Wilson is a native 
of Harris county. Miss., born 1838. His parents, Joel Wilson and Sicily Rod- 
gers, were both natives of the same state. Joel Wilson was bj' occupation a 
farmer. He has served as a member of the Alabama Legislature from Russel 
county, where he removed in 1S53. He then moved to Arkansas, where he 
died, at Hamburg, in 1878. 

The subject of our sketch began life for himself in 1855, as a farmer. He 
married Miss Martha Driskill, daughter of Peter Driskill, of Macon county, 
Alabama, and in 185S he moved to Arkansas, where he bought land in Ashle3' 
county, and was for several years engaged in farming. In 1862 he enlisted in the 
Confederate service, and, with the exception of the time he was in prison, he was 
in active service during the whole war. He was in the battle at Corinth, Miss., 
and at Port Hudson, Louisiana ; at the latter place he was taken prisoner, and 
was moved from place to place until 1864, wlienhe was sent to Morris Island. 
He was subsequently removed to different places; at the time of his release, in 
1865, he was at Fort Delaware. He returned to his home in Arkansas, and from 
there removed to St. Landrj' parish, in 1867, where he bought land and began 



90 SOUTHWEST LOUISJ ANA: 

farming. His plantation, whicli is in a high state of cultivation, consists of 
about six hundred and fort}' acres. 

Mrs. Wilson died in 1857, and Major Wilson afterward married Miss 
Georgia Williamson, of New Orleans. To them have been born seven child- 
ren, viz: Elias (deceased), Catherine (deceased), Sicily (deceased), James 
(deceased). Micajah R., George C. and Robert Lee. 

* 

» » 

FERDINAND M. WARTELLE, Washington. — Ferdinand Wartelle, one 
of the successful planters of St. Landry parish, was born in this place in the 
year 1844. He is a son of Pierre G. and Louisa (King) Wartelle. Pierre G. 
Wartelle is a native of France; was educated in that country in the military 
schools, and was an officer in Napoleon's army. He served ten or twelve years 
and was in many of the active engagements. When Napoleon was banished he 
came to New Orleans where he was for a short time engaged in a mercantile 
business. Subsequently he was engaged in the same business in Opelousas. 
In 1829 he purchased the plantation on which Ferdinand M. Wartelle now resides 
and devoted himself to sugar culture. Louisa (King) Wartelle was a daughter 
of Judge George King, a native of Virginia, and one of the first American 
settlers of St. Landry parish. 

The subject of our sketch was principally reared in St. Landrj' parish. He 
was educated in North Carolina and Virginia. At the beginning of the war he 
returned home and took charge of his father's plantation. For many years he 
was thus engaged, and, subsequently, bought the plantation, and has since that 
time devoted his whole time to its operation. He raises on his plantation,, 
which is a finel}' located one of about two thousand acres, chiefly cotton. 
Mr. Wartelle married, .in 1873, Miss Valerie Lastrapes, daughter of Louis and 
Irma (Garrigues) Lastrapes, both of whom are natives of Louisiana. Mrs., 
Wartelle's grandfather, General Garrigues, was a native of France and an offi- 
cer of Napoleon's army. He served in the war of 1812 and participated in the 
battle of New Orleans with the rank of Brigadier General. 

Mr. Wartelle is the father of ten living children, six sons and four daughters. 
He and his family are all members of the Catholic church. There are few men 
in St. Landry parish who take more active interest in everything that is for the 
promotion of the public good than Mr. Wartelle. He is an intelligent and refined 
gentleman, and his life has been a reflection of usefulness. 

* 

S. P. WARD, M. D., i3iG Cane. — Dr. Ward, a prominent physician of 
St. Landry parish, was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, August 28, 1825. He is 
a son of Aaron and Martha Ward, natives of Newark, New Jersey. They were 
married in Newark, and resided there for a number of 3-ears,.when they re~ 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 91 

moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. A few j-ears later they removed to Rising 
Sun, Indiana. After residing there about two years they removed to Canton, 
Illinois, where they both died. Aaron Ward was in his younger days a mer- 
chant. After he removed to Illinois he turned his attention to farming, in which 
he was very successful, leaving at his death his children a competency on wliich 
to begin life. 

The subject of our sketch is the youngest of a famil}' of seven children. 
He received his early training in the schools of Canton, Illinois, subsequently 
taking a collegiate course. He afterward pursued a course of medicine at Cin- 
cinnati, graduating after having taken three courses of lectures. He holds, also, 
a diploma from the Medical Lyceum of Cincinnati. Wiiile in Cincinnati, during 
the cholera scourge, he made this disease a special study. In 1848 he came to 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and commenced the practice of his profession. Here 
he remained eight years. In i860 he located in St. Landry, where he has since 
liad a very extensive practice. Though he devotes his time almost exclusively in 
the practice of his profession. Dr. Ward also superintends the operation of a large 
plantation which he owns at this place. He is a distinguished member and 
•corresponding secretary of the State Medical Societ}'; also a member of other 
medical societies in the State. He has been prominently identified with the 
Masonic order since 1853, having held some office in the lodge during the whole 
'of this time. He is also a member of the chapter. 

The Doctor has always taken an active part in political affairs, using his 
influence at all times to place in oflice the best men. 

In 1856 he married Harriet A. Waters, daughter of Capt. Wm. Waters, of 
Alexandria, to whom were born six children, three of whom are now living. 
Both the Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
in which he is steward and Sunday-school superintendent. 

* 

ROBERT ZERNOTT, Washington.— Robert Zernott is a native of Prus- 
sia, born January 22, 1836. He is the son of August and Anistena (Falk) Zer- 
nott, both of whom are natives of Prussia. 

The subject of our sketch was reared and educated in Prussia, was a 
soldier in the Prussian army, and served in the Italian war. At the beginning of 
the Civil War he came to New York, and shortly after arriving enlisted in the 
Second Rhode Island Regiment, and served in this and the Third Rhode Island 
during the whole of the war. His field of operations was principall}^ in Louis- 
iana. He enlisted as a private and subsequently was rnade sergeant. At the 
close of the war he was stationed at Washington, where he remained a short 
time after the war closed; his stay embracing in all a period of about six months. 
During this time he was so favorably impressed with the country and the people 
that, at the earnest request of many of the good citizens, he located here perma- 



92 * .S O UTHWEST L O UISIA NA : 

nently. He first began business as a planter, but the first 3"ear he was unfor- 
tunate in suffering a loss of everything invested from an overflow, and he subse- 
quently embarked in livery business and carriage manufacturing. Mr. Zernott 
is a man of remarkable genius for mechanism, and has never attempted any- 
thing in that line that he has not accomplished. From being thrown from a 
horse he lost his lef-t arm, but, notwithstanding this, he conducted his business 
and did most of llie fine work himself. 

During" the time he was engaged in carriage manufacluriiig he built up an 
extensive trade over Louisiana, and the demand for his work was greater than 
he could suppl}-. From a partial loss of eyesight, he was forced to retire from 
the business in 18S7, since which time he has devoted himself to constructing 
and building bridges, buildings, etc. He married in 1S69, Miss Emma Millspaugh, 
a native of Washington. She died four years after their marriage, having be- 
come the mother of three children, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Zernott 
married, in 1871, Miss Grace Millspaugh, sister of his former wife. This 
union has been blessed with two sons and two daughters. 

Washington has never had an enterprise since Mr. Zernott has resided there 
in which he has not been an active participant. 

V * * 

S. JOS. WILSON, Opelousas.— S. Jos. Wilson, vice president of the First 

National Bank, Opelousas, and member of the enterprising mercantile firm of 

Clements & Wilson, is a young man, being only in his twenty-fourth j^ear. Mr. 

Wilson's grandparents, on his father's side, were natives of Ireland. His 

maternal grandparents were natives of England. His father was born in New 

Orleans, and was one of the founders of a wholesale house of that place. His 

mother was a Miss Waldw3'n, a great-grandaughter of Sir James Waldwyn, 

of the English nav}'. She now resides in Opelousas. The subject's father 

died in 1880. 

S. Jos. Wilson was reared and educated in New Orleans. At an early age 
he entered mercantile pursuits as a clerk. He rose quickly in the esteem of his 
employers, and soon held the highest position of trust in the establishment. He 
here made himself familiar with all the departments of mercantile business; and 
when he embarked in trade at this place, he was fully equipped in mature ex- 
perience ; and, indeed, to this is due the almost phenomenal success which has 
attended his undertakings. The firm of which he is a member is one of the first of 
Opelousas. They do a large advancing business, and handle a vast amount of 
cotton and other plantation products. 

Mr. Wilson is abreast of tlie times, and is a thoroughly progressive, modern 
business man. He married a Miss Lastrapes, of St. Landry parish. Both he 
and his wife are members of the Catholic church. 



CHAPTER II. 



PARISH OF IBERIA. 

^ JOHN DORVILLE BROUSSARD, Loreauville.— John D. Broussard 
was born in St. Martin parish in 1832 . He is the son of Don Louis and Adelaide 
Broussard, both natives of St. Martin parish. The former is the son of Don 
Louis Broussard and Cleonise Broussard, born 1S12. Adelaide Broussard was 
the daughter of Sj'lvester Broussard, born 181 2. The families are among the 
oldest in Louisiana. 

John Dorville Broussard received his education in the home schools of his 
nati\-e parish, and at the age of eighteen he took charge of his father's planta- 
tion vvliich he conducted until 1850. In 185 1 he became captain of a steamboat 
phing between St. Martinsville and Breaux Bridge. In 1852 he married Anas- 
tasie Gonsoillin, daughter of Luzincourt Gonsoulin and Cj'dalise Bonin. His 
mother died seven years previous to this time. After the death of his father Mr. 
Broussard became the heir to his plantation, where he now resides, known as the 
Marie Louise plantation, which has descended from father to son for more than a 
hundred years. It consists of five hundred and twenty acres of land, four hundred 
of which are under cultivation, the principal products being cane and corn. In 
1874 ^I^'- Broussard erected on his plantation a large sugar house, which he has 
since operated. From 1856 until 1865 Mr. Broussard was assessor of St. Mar- 
tin parish ; two years succeeding this he was recorder. For the past ten years 
he has been a member of the Police Jury, having been appointed, in 1880, by 
Gov. Willz. Mr. and Mrs. Broussard are the parents of six children, four sons 
and two daughters, viz: Louis Dorville, manager of the plantation; Robert F., 
atlorne}' at law, in New Iberia; Albert J., book-keeper, at the Avery Salt 
Mines; Marie Blanche, Marie Louise, Edwin S^-dney, cadet at the Louisiana 
State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. 

In 1862 Gov. Moore commissioned Mr. Broussard Captain of Co. B, St. 
Martins Regiment, Sixth Brigade, Confederate Armj-. In 1880 Gov. Wiltz ap- 
pointed him Colonel of the "Special Militia Force,'' L. S. N. G., Fourth 
Military District. „ 

^ * * 

ROBERT F. BROUSSARD, New Iberia.— Robert F. Broussard, a rising 
young attorney of the New Iberia bar, is a native of Louisiana; born in Iberia 



fl4 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA . 

parisli in 1S64. He is a son of John D. Broussard, wliose sketch appears above. 
Robert F. is the second of sixHving chilch-en. He was educated at Georgetown 
University, Washington, D. C. After leaving college, in 1883, Mr. Broussard 
took charge of the export desk of tlie Statistics Department in the Custom House 
at New Orleans, under the Cleveland administration. He subsequently pursued 
a course of law in tlie law school at Tulane University, graduating from that in- 
stitution in 1889. He was admitted to the bar the same year and immediately 
began the practice of his profession in New Iberia, as a member of the law firm 
of Foster & Broussard, now the firm of Renoudet, Foster & Broussard. Mr. 
Broussard is rapidly rising in his profession and promises to become one of the 
first members of the bar of New Iberia. 

* 
» * 

V' C. BROUSSARD, Patoutville. — Cimile Broussard was born May 20, 
183S, in Iberia parish. He is the son of Raphael and Susan (Prance) Brous- 
sard. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Iberia parish and attended the 
public schools of the place. He was engaged with his father on his own plantation 
until he was twenty-one, when, the war having just begun, he enlisted in the Con- 
federate service and served its whole duration. Returning home, he engaged in 
planting in Iberia parish. Two years later he was married to Miss Lezima 
•Savoy, daughter of Emile and Palmalee (Bourell) Savojs of this parish. Mr. 
Broussard has given his whole attention to planting, and has been fairly success- 
ful. He has a small, fertile plantation, upon which he raises chiefly cotton, cane 
and corn. Mr. Broussard is a leader in local affairs and takes active interest in 
politics. He has been a member of the Police Jury since 1888 from the second 
ward, having been appointed by Gov. Nicholls. His family consists of eleven 
children, five sons and six daughters. 



'^ N. BROUSSARD, Loreauville. — N. Broussard was born in Iberia parish, 
1840. His father, Lucine Broussard, was engaged in " swamping."' He owned 
large tracts of timber land in this section. He died in 1888. His widow, Elise 
DeBlanc, still survives him and now resides with her son, our subject. 

N. Broussard received a public school education in tiie French language. 
At the age of twenty he took charge of his father's sugar plantation, which he 
•continued to operate until 1882, since which time he has given his chief attention 
to cotton raising. He has a good plantation, consisting of four hundred and 
eighty acres. He also operates a large gin house on his plantation. Mr. Brous- 
sard has never married. » 

* » 

A. C. BERNARD was born in the parish of Lafourche, August 12, 1837. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 95 

He is the son of Onezime Bernard and Rosalie Hebert, both natives of the parish 
of Lafourche. Onezime Bernard died on the 12th of Februar\', 1890; his wife 
still survives him. 

The subject of this sketch spent the greater part of his boyhood days in 
his native parish attending the public schools, from which he received his primary 
education. He subsequently attendeH for a period of a year St. Vincent Col- 
lege, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and afterward pursued his studies at George- 
town College, Scott County, Kentucky, where he remained for two 3'ears. 
Returning home in July, 1859, '^^ ^^^^ engaged in teaching public school until 
the war broke out, when he enlisted as sergeant in Company B, under the com- 
mand of Charles De LaBretine. He served for about two years, and at the time 
of his discharge he was orderlj' sergeant. On his return home he married Miss 
Amanda Deslatte, and engaged in planting in the parish of Lafourche. In 1866 
he moved to the parish of St. Mary, and two years later Mrs. Bernard died, 
and our subject was married the second time to Miss Silvana Walker, daughter 
of James H. Walker and Azelima Patin. They are the parents of nine living 
children: Amanda, Rosa, Alice, Adolph C, Cora, Sidonie, Spasie, Aristide C. 
and £ffa, and three deceased : Mary, Alexander Charles and Andrew. Mr. 
Bernard has filled several local offices with efficiency. In 1876 he was elected 
justice of the peace of the first ward of the parish of Iberia, ^vhich office he held 
for two years. In 1884 he was appointed police juror from the first ward. In 
1888 he was reappointed, and he is the present incumbent of that office. Mr. 
Bernard is a successful planter on a small scale; on his plantation he raises cane 
and corn. It is a fertile one and yields him a good income. 

« 
• • 

ALFRED G. BARNARD, New Iberia.— Alfred G. Barnard, sheriff of 
Iberia parish, is a native of St. Mary parish, Louisiana, born August 21, 1854. 
He is the son of John and Cornelia (Gates) Barnard, the former a native of 
Vermont, and the latter a native of Louisiana, of Welsh and French extraction, 
respectively. 

Sheriff Barnard was reared in St. Mary parish, and completed his educa- 
tion at the Louisiana State University, at Baton Rouge. After leaving college 
he began life as a planter in St. Mary parish, which vocation he followed 
four years, when he removed to Iberia parish, 1878, and, in partnership with 
his uncle. Judge Fred Gates, he operated a cotton seed oil mill. Subsequently 
he withdrew from this and became a member of the firm of T. A. Hebert & 
Co., druggists. He was elected sheriff of Iberia parish in 1888. His term 
will expire in 1892. 

Mr. Barnard married, in 1878, Miss Martha D. Valcourt, of New Ibtria. 
They are the parents of two children. He is a member of the F. and A. M., 
Aurora Lodge, No. 39, also of the K. of P., of New Iberia. 



96 SO UTH WEST L O UISIANA : 

"^ WALTER J. BURKE, New Iberia.— Waller J. Burke, a rising young 
attorne}' of New Iberia, is a native of the place. He was lx)rn October 20, 1866. 
His parents, James L. and Pamela (Cannon) Burke, are natives of New Jersey 
and Louisiana respectively. James L. Burke came to Louisiana with his parents 
when quite young, and received his education in the public schools of this place. 
He was engaged in business here until the time of his death in 18S6. His father 
was a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man. 

Young Walter was prepared for college in the schools of New Iberia, com- 
pleting his literary education in Spring Hill College, Mobile. After leaving col- 
lege he began the study of law in the office of Judge R. S. Perry at this place, 
where he remained for two j^ears. Subsequently he entered the law school of 
Tulane University, from which institution he graduated in 1889. The same 
year he was admitted to the bar in New Orleans, and immediately afterward be- 
gan the practice of his profession in New Iberia. Mr. Burke, though young, is 
considered one of the leading members of the New Iberia bar, and his future is 
ver}' promising. He was married, February 4, 1890, to Miss Bertha Perry, a 
daughter of Judge Robert Perry. 

* » 

^ W. R. BURKE, New Iberia.— William R. Burke, superintendent of the 
public schools of Iberia parish, is a native of the town of New Iberia, born 
February 14, 1839. 

His parents, William Burke and Ellen Lee, were both natives of Ireland, 
reared in the city of Waterford, where they married. While young and am- 
bitious, with hope of future reward in the new world, they bid, in 1833, a lasting 
farewell to the home of their childhood. After a tedious vo3'age of three months 
across the Atlantic, they, with the few emigrant friends who had accompanied 
them, and who were also seeking " the land of the free and home ot the brave," 
made their first landing at Quebec, Canada. They subsequently removed to 
New Jersey. 

Hearing of great inducements offered to emigrants to go to Texas, they got 
Iheir little crowd together and started for the promised land. It was about the 
year 1834 ^^^^^ *'^^ small band landed at Corpus Christi. They were soon en- 
listed in the Texas militia and given a league of land each, which was selected 
in Refugio county, where they built their homes and surrounded themselves 
with such comforts as the wilds of Texas could then afford. But they were not 
to enjoy it long, as they were ruthlessly driven from their homes at night by In- 
dian hostilities. It was not on the order of going, but go at once. They only 
escaped and saved their lives b}' the skin of their teeth. Their Texas home 
they saw no more. 

On their march through Texas and into Louisiana their first stop was at the 
town of Opelousas, St. Landr}' parish, where they remained a short while doing 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 97 

a few odd jobs. Next they turned their faces toward the hmd of EvangeHne — 
the country of the Teche. They first located in the town of St. Martinsville, 
and from thence they drifted down to the town of New Iberia, where, in the 
year 1836, the}* permanently located, and where the remainder of their lives was 
spent. William Burke died of j'ellow fever in October, 1839, '^'^ ^'^^ '^gs of 
thirt3'-two. Mis wife survived him until 1865, when she died in the city of New 
Orleans, on the 21st of May, where she had gone to settle losses she had sus- 
tained by the ravages of war, claiming rights as an English subject. 

William R. Burke began business as a liveryman, in association with his 
mother and two brothers. Having learned the carpenter's trade, he also gave 
some attention in his eai'ly years to this business. He received a primary 
education at the public schools of New Iberia. At the beginning of the war, in 
1S61, he enlisted as a sergeant in Company D, Eighteenth Louisiana Infantrj', 
General Mouton's regiment, and served during the war. He was first lieutenant 
wlien the war closed. His field of operations was chiefly in Tennessee, Missis- 
sippi and Louisiana. He'participated in the battles of Pittsburg, Shiloh, Bisland 
and Texana. At the last named place he was taken prisoner, witli his whole 
compan}', by General Weitzel's brigade, and was paroled the next da3^ Three 
months later he was exchanged and reassigned to his command. He was at 
Natchitoches at the time of the surrender. After the war Mr. Burke resumed 
charge ot the li\erv stable business, in which he continued until November, 1886. 
He has always been an active participant in the local affairs of the town and 
parish. From 1879 to 1887 he was treasurer and collector of New Iberia, and 
was President of the Police Jury from 1877 to 1879. ^" 1^77 he was elected 
secretary and parish superintendent of the public schools. Mr. Burke's untiring 
efforts for the improvement of the public school sj'stem of Iberia parish will 
long be rememljered. When he took possession of the office the schools were 
in a most deplorable condition, and under his supervision they have attained their 
present standard. 

Mr. Burke was united in marriage with Miss Elise Bonin, of New Iberia, 

on the 28th of October, 1867. Both he and his wife are Cathohcs. 

* 
* * 

ERNEST BERARD, New Iberia.— Ernest Berard was born in St. Mar- 
tin parish, Louisiana, 1837. He is the son of John Berard and Orelia (Huval) 
Berard, both natives of St. Martin parish. Our subject's great-grandfather 
gave the grounds and built the Catholic church at St. Martinsville. 

The subject of this sketch began business life in 1865 as a planter. He now 
owns eight hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Iberia parish, which he 
cultivates chiefly in cane and corn. Mr. Berard has made a study of planting, 
never having given his attention to anj' other business. He is one of the suc- 
cessful planters of this section. In 1865 he married Miss Amilda Ross, a native 



98 .S- O UTHWES T LO UISIA NA : 

of Louisiana, daughter of David F. and Bahain Ross. They are the parents of 
six children, four of whom are hving. 

» 

* * 

REV. M. BARDY, Jeannerette. — Rev. M. Bardy was born on June iS, 
1845, in Varenncs, Canton Villebrumier, Carn et Garonne, France. He is the 
second son of John and Phillippi (Rossieres) Bardy. He laid the foundation of 
his education at the Christian Brothers' College, and later studied at Moessac 
Seminary. He came to America in 1S67, and began his theological studies at 
St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. He removed to New Orleans in 
1870, completing his studies there, and was ordained June 18, 1871, by Most 
Rev. Joseph N. Perche, Archbishop of New Orleans. Rev. M. Bardy went to 
Opelousas, St. Landry parish, and remained there for two years as assistant to 
Rev. C. E. Raj-mond. He was afterward appointed parish priest at PortBarre. 
On June 11, 1885, he was appointed to Jeannerette, where he has since remained. 
He completed tlfe building of St. John the Evangelist church at that place, for a 
sketch of which see the history of Iberia parish. 

* 

* * 

J. C. BUSSEY, Jeannerette. — J. C. Busse3*is a native of Clark count}', 
Indiana, born in 1858. He is the son of Dr. Harvey and Marj- ( Rader) Bussejs 
the form.er a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentuck}-. Dr. H. Bussey, dur- 
ing his residence in Indiana, was a practising physician and merchant. He re- 
moved from Indiana to Iowa and was afterward located in different states, 
finally settling in Louisiana, about 1868, where he operated the plantation upon 
which J. C. Bussey now resides. He died December 21, 1880. 

J. C. Bussey is one of a family of nine children, six of whom are now living, 
viz: Florence, wife of Dr. C. A. McGowen; John C, the subject of this sketch ; 
Ellen, wife of H. B. Hughes; Mary, wife of E. R. Jackson; Jesse, Maud. J. 
C. Bussey received a limited education, and after his father's death took charge 
of the plantation, having prior to this time been field manager. His plantation 
consists of one thousand five hundred acres of land, located two miles northwest 
of Jeannerette. About seven hundred acres are under cultivation, the chief prod- 
uct being cane. Mr. Bussey gives employment to from sixteen to twenty men in 
the field and from about fori}' to fifty in the mill during the cane season. He 
employs about thirty men m making the crop. Mr. Bussey is a judicious man- 
ager, and probably to this more than anything else is attributed his success. 

* 

* • 

^ HENRY T. BOUTTE, Derouen.— Mr. Boutte is a native of Iberia par- 
ish, born June 22, 1855. He is the son of Terrac and Delonie (Romero) 
Boutte. Both father and mother are natives of Iberia parish. 

Our subject was reared in Iberia parish, where, at the age of ten years, he 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 99 

entered a private school at New Iberia. Here he remained for some time, after- 
ward attending school in New Orleans for about nine months. Upon leaving 
school, he engaged with his father in the general mercantile business at New 
Iberia. Me only remained here one year, however, when he purchased a small 
plantation, and began planting. His plantation is well improved, and on it Mr. 
Boutte has erected a sugar mill and made other substantial improvements. 
There are few more successful planters in this section than he. He was mar- 
ried in January, 1880, to Mathilde Robichaux, a daughter of Valery and Zoalea 
(Arceneau.x) Robichaux, both of whom are natives of Iberia parish. To 
Mr. BoiUte and wife have been born one son and four daughters: Edward, 
born 20th December, 1880; Daisy, born~-3ist May, 1882: Lilly, 23d November, 
1883 ; Marie, ist January, 1884, and Lillian, 25th June, 1887. 

SASTHENE V. BOURQUE, Gregg.— The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Assumption parish, born September 28, 1859. He is the son of Nar- 
cisse and Melanare (Landr}-) Bourque,both natives of Assumption parish. 

S. V. Bourque was reared in the parish of Iberia, and received his educa- 
tion in its private schools. He was for some time after leaving school with his 
father on his plantation. He subsequently engaged in the construction of rail- 
roads. He was for one year emploj'ed in the construction of the New Orleans, 
City & West End Railroad, after which he worked on the Southern Pacific for 
eight years. For a time. he conducted a dray business in New Orleans. In 1870 
he purchased a plantation in Iberia parish, and has given his attention to planting 
since that time. The chief products of his plantation are cotton, corn and cane. 
Mr. Bourque married, 1877, Miss Cora French, daughter of Daniel and Lisa 
(Labonne) French ; the former a native of England, the latter of Iberia parish, 
Louisiana. This union has been blessed with six children. Mr. Bourque and 
family are members of the Catholic church. 

» 

J. B. BOURQUE, NE\y Iberia. — Mr. Bourque was born near Duchamp 
station, St. Martin parish, in 1849. He was reared in this parish, and received 
his education in its schools. He began life as aplanter, and to this has devoted his 
chief attention thus far in life. He is a gentleman of progressive ideas, and is 
considered one of the most successful planters in his neighborhood. He was 
married, in 1S71, to Miss Celestine Romero, of Iberia parish. As aresultof this 
union, nine children have been born: Felix, Elia, Calis, Edmie, Eloi, Altez, 
Geantie, Amvis, and Emerite. In politics Mr. Bourque is a staunch Democrat, 
believing the principles of that party to be conducive to the advancement of those 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, especially. He and family are members of the 
Catholic church. 



100 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

MADAME EMILIEJ. (HOFFIIERR) LABAU CYR, Jeannerette.— 
Madame Labau Cyr is a native of France, where she was reared and educated. 
She removed to this country and located in Louisiana in 1859. In 1866 slie 
married Justin Labau, also a native of France, who had removed to Louisiana 
in 1857. Mr. Labau after locating in Louisiana, was for some time engaged as 
salesman in W. F. Hudson's general mercantile store. At the breaking out of the 
war he joined an independent company of cavalry organized by Capt. D.Kerr, and 
afterward commanded by Capt. A. A. Pecot, which was afterward consolidated 
with Gen. Harrison's command. Mr. Labau was a gunsmith by occupation, 
and served in that capacity during a portion of the war. He was, however, in 
active service during the Red river and Mississippi campaigns. He served until 
the close of the war. Before coming to America he had served seven 3'ears as 
a soldier in the French arm)'. The same year of his marriage he opened a gen- 
eral mercantile store in Hubertville, about a mile above Jeannerette, on the Bayou 
Teche. In this he was engaged at the time his death, in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. 
Labau were the parents of a son, George J., born 1868. Four years after Mr. 
Labau's death Madame Labau married Joseph Cyr, a native of Canada, who 
conducted the store until his death, 1880. To this union were born three sons: 
Albert Joseph, Louis Felix, Paul Narciste. Since 1883 Madame and her son 
Labau have carried on the business successfully. Though a native of a for- 
eign country, Madame Cyr has become very much attached to her adopted State, 
and although, through the distinguished services of her husband in France, 
she is entitled to a pension and her son to a free education in any college in that 
country, she feels that she can not accept it at the cost of removing from her 

adopted State. ^ 

* » 

REV. JULIEL CHARLES, Patoutville.— Rev. Juliel Charles was born 
in France, June i, 185 1. His parents, Antoine and Catherine (Eaquet) 
Charles, were both natives of the same countr}'. Rev. Charles was reared 
and educated in France. At tlie age of five }ears he entered the school 
of the Christian Brothers, where he remained until he attained the age of thir- 
teen. He pursued the study of the classics under the direction of a private tutor 
for about three years subsequent to this, after which he attended Little Seminary, 
of Cellude, France, for five j^ears. He was there at the breaking out of the 
Franco-Prussian war, and leaving college he served in the arm\' of France for 
about four months. Subsequently he further pursued his studies at Great Sem- 
inary for four years, the latter two of which he devoted to the study of theology. 
Upon the completion of his education he emigrated to Louisiana, where he com- 
pleted his theological studies under Revs. F. and G. Raymond and Archbishop 
Dubuois, of Galveston, Texas. He received hoi}- orders and was made sub- 
deacon and ordained priest in 1876. Tlie sime year he was sent to Lake 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 101 

Charles, Louisiana, where he occupied the position of parish priest of both Cal- 
casieu and Cameron parishes. He here remained for about two years, when, his 
health giving way, he spent some time recuperating in New Orleans. After re- 
gaining his health, his cousin, Rev. G. Raj'mond, who was at the time V. G. and 
administrator of the diocese, returning to France on a visit, Father Charles filled 
his position until his return. He was subsequently^ appointed assistant priest at 
Donaldville, where he remained for two years. He afterward spent some time in 
Cameron parish, and in 1885 came to Patoutville, where he has charge of the Cote 
Blanche, Grand Cote and Cypemore countries. Father Charles is deservedly 
popular among those with whom he has so earnestly labored. 

* * 

'' GEORGE T. COLGIN, Bui;ke Station.— George T. Colgin is a native 
of Alabama, born in 1852. He is the son of George J. and Caroline E. (Taylor) 
Colgln. George J. Colgin was a native of Virginia, born 1820, died 1882. 
Caroline Taylor Colgin was a native of Alabama, born 1S34. ^^"^ "°^'^' resides 
in New Iberia. 

The subject of this sketch received a fair education and began farming in 
1S72. He owns four hundred and seventy acres of land in Iberia parish, which he 
cultivates chiefly in cotton. By able management and industry the plantation 
yields Mr. Colgin a good income. He was married in 1S75 to Miss Celina M. 
Segura, a native of Iberia parish, born 1856. She is the daughter of Raphael 
and Celina (Bonin) Segura. They are the parents of eight children, viz: 
Gearge R., Edward D., Celina V., John R., James T., Celina Madison, Dolores. 

1^ T. A. DEROUEN, New Iberia. — Mr. Derouen is a native of Iberia parish, 
Louisiana; born 184S. He is the son of EI03' Derouen and M. Landr}', who 
are also natives of Iberia parish. E. Darouen is an extensive planter of this 
parish. T. A. Darouen began life as a planter and merchant, in which occupa- 
tions he has continued ever since. He owns a plantation of three hundred and 
sixty acres of very fertile land in Iberia parish. 

He married, in 1879, Miss Eliza Dwyer, a native of New York, and 
daughter of M. Dwyer and Anne Doyle. To this union have been born six 
children: George M., Julia, Walter C, Minnie J., H. Wiltz and Lily. Mr. 
Derouen and famii-\' are Catholics. 

* * 

CESAIRE DARBY, New Iberia. — Cesaire Darby was born in Iberia par- 
ish, 1842. He is the son of Francois and Euzeide (De Blanc) Darby. Fran- 
cois Darby was a native of Louisiana; born 1813, died 1877. Our subject's 
mother was born in 1819, and is now residing with him. 

Mr. Darby attended at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, La. He began 



102 SO 6*77/ J I -£3 T LO UlSIA NA : 

life as a planter, and to tbis lie has given his wliole attention, He has a good 
plantation about three miles northwest of New Iberia. In 1863, he enlisted in 
the Confederate service, and served until the close of the war. He was married, 
in 1872, to Miss Emma Debaillon, of St. Landry parish. They are the parents 
of five children: Jules, Fernand, Bertha, Camille and Louise. INIr. Darby and 
famil}' are members of the Catholic church. 

* » 
^ GUSTAVE DELAHOUSSAYE, Burke Station.— Gustave Delahoussaye 
was born in St. Martin parish, August 10, 1833. He is the son of Edward and 
Desire (Decuir) Delahoussaye, both of whom are natives of St. Martin parish. 
Edward Delahoussaye was born in 1814, and died in 1868. The subject's 
mother was born in 1816, and now resides near Cade. 

Gustave Delahoussaye received a good business education, and began plant- 
ing in 1867, to which he lias given his full attention since that time. He owns and 
controls one hundred and fifty-five acres of land in St. Martin parish, and raises 
annually about two hundred bales of cotton. Me married, in 1861, Miss Philo- 
mine Decuir, a native of St. Martin parish, and daughter of Ovid Decuir and 
Adille Ozeme. To them have been born nine children : Aliza, Gaston, Francois, 
Adolphe, Cecile, Constance, Gustave, Leonce and Hirinne. The family are 
members of the Catholic church at New Iberia. 



^ T. L. DULANY, New Iberi.\.— T. L. Dulany, attorney, of New Iberia, 
was born in Avo3'elles parish in 1852. He was educated in the local schools 
and studied law in the office of Judge Rj'an, of Alexandria, Louisiana. He 
was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court at Opelousas, at the July 
session of 1885. Immediately on being admitted to the bar he located in New 
Iberia. Mr. Dulan}^ has succeeded in working "up a lucrative practice in this and 
the adjoining parishes. He is the son of Benjamin C. Dulany, M. D., who 
was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Fle practised for a wliile in 
Kentucky, came South and located in Louisiana. During the war he served as 
surgeon under Jackson. After the war he located in Avoyelles parish and then 
removed to Alexandria, Louisiana, where he still resides. 

The Dulany family are of English origin, the first known in America being 
Daniel Dulan}', who became the father of two sons, Benjamin -and Daniel. The 
latter returned fo England. Benjamin reared a family of several sons, one of 
whom was Benjamin T., of V^irginia. He was the father of three sons, of whorri 
our subject's father is one. Rebecca Dulan}', of England, recently left an im- 
mense estate in England. She was the daughter of Daniel Dulan}' who returned 
to that country, and granddaughter of Bishop Hunter of England. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 103 

^ B. D. DAUTERIVE, Iberia Parish.— Mr. Dauterive is a native of St. 
Martin parish, born in 1S33. He is the son of A. B. and Celestine (Darby) 
Dauterive, botli of whom are natives of St. Martin parish. The former was 
a prominent planter, owning St. Rose de Lima plantation on Lake Dauterive 
(now Fausse Point Lake), which is owned at present by Mr. Hoffman, of New 
Orleans, and named by him Caroline plantation. A. B. Dauterive was born in 
1806, and died atthfc«age of sixty-one of )'ellow fever. His widow is }-et living, 
and resides with her son, our subject, who is her onl}' child. The Dauterive 
family is of French descent, the name being formerly spelled D'Hauterive, and 
the old members of it were nobles in France and held various offices of honor. 
The Darby family is of English extraction, and descended, in America, from an 
officer commanding a vessel that attacked New Orleans in the war of 1812. 

The subject of this sketch recei\ed his early education in St. Charles Col- 
lege, Grand Coteau, where he remained for five years. He was then sent to the 
military school at Drennon Springs, Ky., and here he remained two years. 
After leaving school, he engaged with his father in sugar planting, in which he 
continued until the war. At the beginning of the war he raised a company- of 
cavalry, known as the " Hussards of the Teche," of which he was elected cap- 
tain. This company was attached to Fournett's battalion, and served on the west 
side of the Mississippi River. He was engaged in the fights at Camp Bisland, 
Bayou Lafourche, and Mansfield, beside other smallerengagements. He served 
for three years, until the close of the war. After peace w'as declared he engaged 
in planting, receiving upon his father's death his plantation. He continued agri- 
culture until 1S75, when he purchased property in Loreauville, disposed of his 
plantation, and engaged in merchandising. He has about fifty acres of land Iving 
along the Bayou Teche, near Loureauville. In 1868 our subject was elected justice 
of the peace, which position he held until 1872, when he resigned. 

He married in 1858 Mathilde Lebeau, a native of St. Bernard parish, where 
she was reared and educated. She was the daughter of F. B. Lebeau, a planter, 
and president of the Lower Cotton Press. They are the parents of eight chil- 
dren: J. G., L. G., Marie (wife of E. Ribec), Noemis, Alice, Mathilde, Rosa 
and Robert. Their two oldest sons are married, and reside in Loreauville. 

» * 
^ A. J. DECUIR, New Iberia. — A. J. Decuir was born in Iberia parish in 
1847. He is the son of F. A. Decuir and Alfoncine Broussard, both natives of 
Iberia parish. A. J. Decuir is the oldest of a family of seven children. He re- 
ceived his education at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, and was attending 
school there at the breaking out of the war. He was a member of the Reserve 
Corps of Louisiana, and was not engaged in active service during the war. Mr. 
Decuir began active life in the mercantile business, in which he was engaged 
in New Orleans until 1867, at which time he moved to Jeannerette, where he was 



104 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

engaged in business until 1870. From 1870 to 1876 he was engaged in merchan- 
dising in St. Mary parish. In 1876 he began the operation of a saw-mill in 
New Iberia. He does an extensive business and employs in his mill about forty 
hands. Mr. Decuir was married, in 1870, to Miss Aurelia Pecot, of St. Mary 
parish. The}' are the jiarents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living. 

* * 
"^ ZENON DECUIR, New Iberia. — Mr. Decuir condufts one of the largest 
mercantile businesses in New Iberia. He is a native of what is now Iberia par- 
ish, and was born August 27, 1834. He is the son of Zenon Decuir and Eliza- 
beth Hebert, botii of wliom were natives of Louisiana and of French descent. 
His father was an extensive planter in this parish. 

The subject of this sketch having been left an orphan when but a bov, he 
was reared and educated by his uncle, Alexander Hebert. He attended the private 
schools of this parish until he was fourteen years of age, and then entered the Mt. 
St. Mary's College at Emmetsburg, Marj-land, where he remained for two years. 
After returning home from college he engaged with his uncle on liis plantation 
and stock farm until he had attained his majority. After this he took charge of 
his brother-in-law's lumber }'ard, in which capacity he served until the beginning 
of the war, when he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Louisiana Infantry, which 
was the first company organized from this section. His regiment was in the 
service of the Armj- of Virginia. Mr. Decuir participated in many of tlie active 
battles in which his division was engaged. The year before the close of the war 
he was taken prisoner, but was paroled and returned home, where he was at the 
time of the surrender. 

In 1868, in partnership with a gentlemen by the name of Soulier, he opened 
a mercantile business under the firm style of Soulier & Decuir, in which they con- 
tinued until the death of Mr. Soulier. Since that time Mr. Decuir has conducted 
the business in his own name. Few men in New Iberia have been more success- 
ful in their business undertakings than Mr. Decuir, and it is no exaggeration to 
state that his business is one of the first of the place. Mr. Decuir was married, 
in 1869, to Miss Rosa Mesta3-er, of Iberia parish. They are the parents of six 
cliildren, four daughters and two sons. 

TOUSSAIN DUPLANTIAS, Patoutville.— Toussain Duplantias was 
born Nov. i, 1841, in Terrebonne parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Joseph 
D. and Frances Charpentier Duplantias, the former a native of St. John the 
Baptist and the latter of Lafourche parish. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Terrebonne. At the age of six- 
teen years he began work for himself and was engaged in various occupations 
until 1S64, when he engaged with Jules Guidry on his plantation as a farm hand. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 105 

where he worked and attended a night school, receiving what education lie has. 
He was subsequently engaged for a short while with his uncle, after which he 
worked on a flat boat. He was for many years engaged in planting in Iberia 
parish. In 1868 he married Miss AimyPellegram, daughter of F. and Elizabeth 
(Lolioff) Pellegram,the former a native of Louisiana and the latter of Strasburg, 
Germanv. To them were born ten children. 

*^ LOUIS N. DROUET, New Iberia.— Louis N. Drouet was born in Jeffer- 
son parish, February 19,1860. He is the son of John L. and Marie A. (Trouard) 
Drouet, both natives of Jefferson parish, born 1824 and 1830, respectively. They 
were married August 2, 1S46, and to this union were born six sons and seven 
daughters, viz : Pierre August, Felicite Nais (deceased), Joseph Prosper, Mary 
Adele, Louis Numa (our subject), Louis Ferdinand, Joseph Frank (deceased), 
Mary Pauline, Mary Leocadie (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Mary (deceased), 
Jeanne Mar}', Sophie. John L. Drouet died January 10, 1889. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated chiefly in Iberia parish. 
After leaving school he assisted his father in running the plantation and subse- 
quently he was engaged in the Lhote Sash Manufacturing Company of New Or- 
leans for a period of five years, when he returned to Iberia parish and engaged 
with his father in his plantation and mercantile business. Since the death of 
his father he and his elder brother have assumed charge of the business and 

operate it successfully. , 

* » 

E. H. DARBY, Patoutville. — Ernest H. Darby was born May 15, 
1S58, in Iberia parish. He is the son of Viel and Elodie (De Blanc) Darby, 
both of whom are natives of Iberia. parish. 

Mr. Darby was reared in Iberia parish, and received a primary education 
in its schools. He was subsequently in Jefferson College, St. James parish, 
for a period of five years. Upon leaving college, he engaged as clerk in a gen- 
eral mercantile store, where he remained for one year. By an accident in a 
saw-mill, he was deprived of the use of his left hand, and he resumed teaching, 
in which he was engaged for four years at different places in Iberia parish. He 
subsequently formed a partnership with H. Patout, and they conducted a large 
mercantile business at Patoutville for about three years, at which time our sub- 
ject bought the interest of his partner, and has since been sole proprietor of 
the business, in which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Darby married, 
in 1888, Miss Blanche Delahoussaye, daughter of Pelitier Delahoussaye and 
Emma Mestayer. Mr. Darby has served as member of the parish school 
board, and is now post-master at Patoutville, which position he has held for eight 



106 SOn'NWEST LOUISIANA: 

/ LEOPOLD DEBLANC, Deroukn.— Mr. DeBlanc is a native of Iberia 
parish, born January 31, 1853. He is tlie son of Louis Cajsar and Alix (Decuir) 
DeBlanc, both natives of Louisiana. 

Mr. DeBlanc received a liberal education in the private schools of Iberia 
parish and in New Orleans. After leaving school he was engaged for a period 
of one year in the wholesale grocery of Louis Reder. He afterward became 
connected with DeBlanc cS: Beer in the commission business as book-keeper. 
Here he remained until 1872, when he returned to Iberia parish and engaged in 
planting. Mr. DeBlanc married, in 1879, Mi'^s Ida Mesteyer, of Iberia parish, 
daughter of Frederick and Thilomene (Dugas) Mesteyer. In his agricultural 
pursuits Mr. DeBlanc has prospered, and is the possessor of five hundred acres 
of fertile land in the fourth and seventh wards of this parish. He plants a 
variety of products, such as cotton, cane, potatoes and rice. Mr. DeBlanc has 
served as justice of peace for the seventh ward since 1874. He is also one of 
the commissioners appointed on drainage. He and wife are the parents of 
three sons and four daughters, Paul, Mary, Allene, Frederick, Thomas, Felicie 

and Sophie. » 

» * 

V THEOGENE DELAHOUSSAYE,NewIberia.— Theogene Delahoussaye 
is a native of Iberia parish, born in 1S57. He is the son of Thomas and 
Estelle Delahoussaye. His father was one of the largest planters of St. 
Martin parish. Mr. Delahoussaye received a good education in the French 
language. He commenced business life as a merchant and planter, and in this 
dual business he has been occupied until the present time. He has a plantation of 
one hundred acres of land three miles northeast of New Iberia. This, in conjunc- 
tion with his mercantile business, yields him a good income. Mr. Delahoussa3'e 
was married, in 1883, to Gabrielle Delahoussaye, of St. Mary parish. She is 
the daughter of Octave and Laura (Ohvier) Delahoussaye, of St. Mary 
parish. Mr. and Mrs. Delahoussaye are the parents of two children, viz: 
Estelle and Edna. He and family are members of the Catholich cliurch. 

* * 
^ FRANK DELAHOUSSAYE, Burke Station. — Frank Delahoussaye 
was born in Iberia parish, 1866. He is the son of Gustave and Emily (Decuir) 
Delahoussaye, of this parish. 

As a bo}' Mr. Delahoussaj'e received the advantages of a good educa- 
tion. He commenced business for himself in 1889. He is a young man of en- 
ergy and business thrift, and his success in life is assured. Mr. Delahoussaye 
was married, November 21, 1889, to Miss Theresa Romero, daughter of Devisin 
Romero and Mary Decuir, of Iberia parish. Politically Mr. Delahoussaye is a 
Republican. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic church. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 107 

E. F. DARBY, New Iberia. — E. F. Darby is a native of Iberia parish, 
born 185S. He is the son of V. and Elodie (DeBUmc) Darby, both of whom 
are natives of Iberia parish. V. Darby was born in 1818, and died in 1890. 
His wife still survives him and is now in her seventy-second j-ear. 

The subject of this sketch received a fair education and has been a farmer 
since he began business for himself. He has given his full attention to his plan- 
tation and has been successful. Mr. Darby was united in marriage, in 1879, with 
Miss Corine, daughter of Chas. and Aspasia (Decuir) Corine. Mr. Darby and 
family are members of the Catholic church in New Iberia. 



•^ NARCISSE DRUELHET, Jeannerette, Iberia Parish.— N.ircisse Druel- 
hetis a native of St. James parish, born 1826. He is the son of Alfred and Ce- 
leste (Poclie) Druelhet. His father was born in San Domingo, and his mother 
in the parish of St. James. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the private schools of 
St. James parish, which he attended until he reached the age of sixteen. At 
the age of tv\enty he engaged as a salesman, in whicii emplovment he continued 
for five 3-ears. After this he was for thirty years overseer of the following plan- 
tations: Valcour-Aime, St. James parish; Pinkland, St. Charles parish ; Sarpy 
and LeBlanche, St. John parish ; A. & G. Granerberg, Fusilier and Charles 
Walker plantations, St. Mary parish. After conducting a plantation for him- 
self for two or three years, Mr. Druelhet, in 1887, opened a general mercantile 
store in Jeannerette, in which he is still engaged. He carries a well selected 
stock of goods, worth about si.x thousand dollars. His business amounts annually 
to about fifteen thousand dollars. He also owns considerable town propertj^. 
Mr. Druelhet was married, Jul_v 3I) 1849, to Miss Emily Roussel, a native 
of St. James parish, born 1836. Mrs. Druelhet is the daughter of Valeiy and 
Celeste (Chenet) Roussel. both natives of St. James parish. They are the 
parents of three sons and one daughter, viz: Narcisse, Jr., Gaston, Frederick, 
Celeste. Mr. Druelhet and family are strict Catholics. He takes great interest 
in educational matters, and is at present a member of the school board. 

* 

AUG. ERATH, New Iberia. — Aug. Erath, one ot New Iberia's most 
successful business men, was born in Switzerland, March 18, 1843. He re- 
ceived a public school education and came to America in 1S60, landing in 
New Orleans, October 31, of this year, being then seventeen years of age. In 
1862 he returned to Europe, and in 1866 he again crossed the ocean and located 
in New Orleans. He was book-keeper in the principal breweries of New Or- 
leans until the spring of 1876, when he removed to New Iberia and erected a 
brewer}', and later added a soda and seltzwater factory, in both ot which he was 



108 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

successful. In 1884 he entered the hardware trade at this place and since that 
time has carried on a successful business. His business at the present is the 
largest of the kind between New Orleans and Houston, Texas. Mr. Erath has 
been at the head of many of the public enterprises of this place, among which 
may be mentioned the prominent part he took in the building of the opera house 
and Masonic Hall, both of which are ornaments to the town. He has just con- 
tracted for the construction of an ice factory of the latest improved pattern, 
which he hopes to have in operation b}' April, 1891. The factory is to be of 
sufficient capacity to supply llie wants of the people from Opelousas to Morgan 
City. 

Fiom 1885 to 1887 Mr. Erath served as a member of the town council. Re- 
elected in 1887 he was honored by his fellow councihnen in being unanimously 
chosen mayor.* During his administration the streets of the town were put in 
first-class order, new ones opened, and other substfintial improvements made. 
On his retirement, in 18S9, the finances of the town were in a sound and healihv 
state. 

Mayor Eratii organized the first regular Board of Health in New Iberia, which 
has been instrumental in the accomplisliment of much good. He is a prominent 
member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Teche Club, 
and is one of the oldest members of the Mutual Benevolent Society of this place. 

Mr. Erath was married in New Orleans, January, 1874, ^^ Catherine Becht, 
of that cit}'. They are the parents of three children — all girls. 

* 

T. D. FOSTER, New Iberia.— T. D. Foster, District Attorney, is the son 
of T. J. Foster, an extensive sugar planter of St. Mary parish. His mother's 
family, the Murphys, were among the pioneers of that parish. 

T. D. Foster received a literary education in the Washington-Lee Univei;s- 
it)', Va. He studied law in Franklin, and was admitted to the bar before the 
Supreme Court in Opelousas in 18S0. He first located at Alexandria, Louisiana, 
and was for three years engaged as attorney for the Texas Pacific Railway. 
He removed to New Iberia in 1885, where he has become one of the leading 
attorneys. Mr. Foster is the senior member of the law firm of Foster & 
Broussard. ^ 

^ OTTO FRITSCHE, Avery.— Otto Fritsche was born in Germany, Feb- 
ruary iS, 1859. H^ ^^ t'^^ SO" °^ Frederick and Ida (Held) Fritsche, both of 
whom were natlVes of Germany. 

Otto Fritsche was reared in Germany, and received a good common school 
education. At the age of thirteen he engaged in mining, which he followed for 
a period of fifteen years. In 1882 he came to Iberia parish, where he was shortly 

* The town council elect the m.iyor from their own number in New Iberia. 



I 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 109 

afterward married to Miss Blanche Derouen, daughter of Albert and Alphonsene 
Derouen, natives of Iberia parish. Since he came to Louisiana Mr. Fritsche 
has given his attention to planting. He owns a good plantation in Iberia parish 
of two hundred and fifty acres, which he cultivates in cotton and corn. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fritsche are the parents of one son and two daughters: Robert, Ida (de- 
ceased) and Maria. * 

^ J. A. FAGOT, New Iberia. — The subject of this sketch is a native of St. 
Martin parish, Louisiana, born in 1836. He is the son of Charles and V^irginia 
(Bienvenu) Fagot. Charles Fagot was born in 1792, and was a successful plan- 
ter. He died in 1872. 

J. A. Fagot received a limited education, being prevented from attending 
school while j-oung on account of delicate health. He was for twelve j-ears a clerk 
in the courts of New Orleans. During the war he was in the Confederate service, 
from 1862 until its close. The year 'following his return from the army, Mr. 
Fagot engaged in steamboating, and continued in this for a period of two years. 
He has always been prominent in the local affairs of his parish, and is at present 
police -juror from his ward. He is president of the Farmers' Alliance of Iberia 
parish. He is also a member of the Masonic, fraternity of New Iberia. Mr. 
Fagot twice married; first, in 1859, Sophie Buisson, of New Orleans. She died 
in 1864, having become the mother of one son, Edwin. Mr. Fagot married a 
second time, in 1868, Miss Ida DeBlanc, daughter of Louis C. and Alix (Decuir) 
DeBlanc. They are the parents of eight children: Albert, Sophie, Louis, 
Louise, Conrad, Camille, Frances and Edwin. 

LEONARD S. FRERE, New Iberia. — Leonard S. Frere is a native of 
Louisiana, born 1S65. His father, A. G. Frere, is also a native of Louisiana. 
His mother, Lodoiska Smith, is a native of Maryland, born 1845. 

Leonard Frere, the subject of this sketch, is an only child. A. G. Frere 
served during the whole war. He entered as captain of his company, and was 
subsequently promoted to major. He is now conducting a large drug business in 
Franklin, and is also sheriff of St. Mar}' parish. 

The subject of this sketch received a fair education, and began life steam- 
boating. Later, in partnership with Captain Cade, he embarked in the stock 
business — raising and dealing in stock, in which he is still engaged. He has 
charge of a plantation, consisting of four thousand acres of land. Mr. Frere is 

a successful business man. ^ ' 

* » 

GEORGE FRANCIS, New Ibeuia.— George Francis, architect and 
builder, is a native of Richmond, Kentucky, born August 18, 1868. He is the 
son of William Francis and Mary (Kerridge) Francis; both are English by 



1 10 so UTH WEST L O CI SI AN A : 

birth. Geor^fe Francis received a good common school education and served 
an apprenticesiiip in Louisville, and later in Cincinnati, as an architect and 
builder. To this business he has devoted his wliole life, and his achievements 
show that he pursued the proper course in life. He is the architect and builder 
of man}- of the finest residences in this section of Louisiana, among which may 
be mentioned the residence of Joseph Jefferson, and numerous others in this 
section. He has for thirteen years been a resident of Louisiana; prior to that 
time having lived for a short while in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Mr. Francis was 
married in 1886 to Miss Sallie Sylis, of Mississippi. They are the parents of 
five living children, all of whom are daughters. 

JUDGE FRED. L. GATES, New Iberia,— Judge Gates is a native 
of Syracuse, New York, liorn in 1827. He is the son of Alfred and Amoret 
(Kossith) Gates, both natives of New York. Alfred Gates came to Louis- 
iana, locating at Baton Rouge, when F. L. was a boy. He operated 
the first saw-mill erected on the Teche, at Franklin. When a young 
man, before leaving New York, he was the first captain of the first passenger 
boat on the Erie Canal. His father served under Gen. Gates, of whom he was 
a kinsman, during the revolution'ar}- war. Amoret Kossith Gates, our subject's 
mother, was of French descent. Her grandfather was the first man in S3'ra- 
cuse who manufactured salt by the evaporation process. He owned the land 
near Syracuse that has since become so valuable. 

Judge F. L. Gates was reared at Baton Rouge, where he received his edu- 
cation. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in New Orleans, having 
graduated from the law department of the State Universit}' in 185 1. He was 
the classmate of J. B. Eustis, ex-Senator Jonas and ex-Gov. John McEnery, 
and was subsequently a colleague of these gentlemen in the State Legislature 
during the extra session of 1865, called bj- ex-Gov. J. Madison Wells. Judge 
Gates, at the beginning of the civil strife, was in Texas, where he had removed 
in 1859. When Texas seceded he entered the Sixteenth Texas Cavalry, went 
to Little Rock, joined Van Dorn, and operated in the line of Missouri, Arkan- 
sas and Kansas. He was in the engagements to repel Banks from Louisiana. 

After the war Judge Gates located in New Iberia, and was immediately after- 
Avard elected a member of the Legislature. He was shortl}' afterward appointed 
judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District, comprising the parishes of St. Mar}-, 
St. Martin, Lafourche and Terrebonne. He served until he was deprived of 
the ofiice by the reconstructionists. During the time he served as judge he 
resided in Franklin. In 1878 he removed to New Iberia, erected and began the 
operation of a cotton seed oil mill, one of the largest and most successful of the 
kind in this section. Mention of the mill is made in the history of New Iberia. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. Ill 

In 1884 he was elected judge of the district composed of the parishes of Iberia 
and St. Martin, and served two 3^ears and resigned. 

Judge Gates is one of the leading citizens of New Iberia. He is president 
of the Building and Loan Association, which has a capital of $300,000. He is 
also president of the Electric Light Company, and was one of the leaders in the 
establishing The People's National Bank, at this place. The judge is united 
in marriage witli Miss M. L. Mosely, of Virginia. Thej^ are the parents of 
four sons and two daughters. * 

^ E. C. GENEUX, Jeannerette. — E. C. Geneux was born in St. Croix, 
Switzerland, in 1854. H*^ ^^ ^^ ^°" o^ Alphonse Geneux, manufacturer of 
watch cases, who, about 1852, invented the first stem winding attachment for 
watches. From this, however, he only made about twentj'-five thousand dollars, 
being unable to obtain a patent in Switzerland. He was renowned as champion 
long range rifle shot of Switzerland. He died in 1870. His wife died in 1861. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, only four of 
whom are now living; two in Louisiana, one in Switzerland, and one in Russia. 
Mr. Geneux received his education in the District College of Neueville, Canton 
Berne, Switzerland. He came to America in 1874, locating first in St. Louis, 
whence he removed to New Orleans, and subsequently to Jeannerette, where he 
has since been conducting a repairing shop. By dint of earnest effort and hard 
work he has amassed a considerable stock of jewelry, and in 1880 he opened a 
small store of plated ware. Next year he increased the stock, and for two years 
subsequent to this he was located in Franklin, upon the expiration of which time 
he returned to Jeannerette, and has since increased his stock as trade demands, 
until he now carries a complete assortment of watches, etc., and every line of 
jewelry. 

Mr. Geneux married in 1880 Miss Katie Sallinger, a native of Jeannerette, 
born in 1857. She is a daughter of Geo. Sallinger. To them have been born four 
children; Marie Louise, Arthur L., Mathilde Melanie, and one deceased. 
Mr. Geneux is a member of the order of Knights of Honor, and has held the 
office of dictator, and represented the organization in the Grand Lodge. He was 
a charter member of the Jeannerette Knights of Pythias, and served as first 
master of tlie exchequer of Teche Lodge, 51. 

ADRJEN GONSOULIN, Loreauville. — Adrien Gonsoulin was born in 
Iberia parish in 1849. ^^ ^^ ^^ ^°" o^ S'^- Clair Gonsoulin and Marcilite Bour- 
geois, both natives of Iberia parish, Louisiana. To them were born four chil- 
dren, of whom Adrien is the youngest. St. Clair Gonsoulin was a large planter 
of Iberia parish. He died in 1850; his widow died two 3'ears later. 

Tiie subject of this sketch attended the public schools, and later took a 



112 S0UTHWES7' LOUISIANA : 

course in Alcie Judice College, St. Martinsville, Louisiana. He began business 
in 1867, conducting a coffee house and bakery. In this he only continued for 
about two years, when he opened a general mercantile store. Beginning with a 
very limited capital, he has been quite successful, and now carries on a large 
business. In 1881 he erected a fine two-story brick store, which he occupies 
with his business. He carries a stock of about $8000. He also owns consider- 
able land in this parish, which he has under cultivation, principally in cane and 
corn. Mr. Gonsoulin is one of the largest planters and most successful business 
men of his neighborhood. He was for about twelve years post-master at Loreau- 
ville. He has twice married. In 1869 he married Miss Lucie, daughter of Ovid 
Dugas, of Iberia parish. She only lived three years after marriage, leaving one 
child, a son — Gibert. In 1874 ^^''- Gonsoulin married Miss Anette Broussard, 
of this parish. They are the parents of ten children, viz: Thomas, Lydia, 
Adrien, Jr., Silvia, Delia, Bertha, Ella, Celina, Adolph. The family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic church. » 

* * 

JACOB GUTH, New Iberia. — Jacob Guth was born in Germany, 1839. 
and came to Louisiana at the age of sixteen years. His parents, Jacob Guth and 
Mary Richard, were both natives of Germany. They removed to this country in 
1857. The father died in 1S66 at the age of seventy-two years. They became 
the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom the subject 
of this sketch is the oldest child. 

Jacob Guth, Jr., spent his school daj's in German\-, where he received a fair 
education. He learned the trade of wheelwright when young, and for a while 
followed this after coming to this country. For many years he has conducted a 
mercantile business at this place. Since 1887 he has been a member of the firm 
of Meyer & Guth. Mr. Guth served during the war in Companj^ A, Fourth 
Louisiana Regiment, under Gen. Gibson. He enlisted as a private but after one 
year was made sergeant. The latter two years of the war he served as a musi- 
cian. Mr. Guth has twice married, his last wife being Mary Reynolds. They 

are the parents of one child. » 

* * 

S. R. GAY, M. D., Jeannerette. — -Stephen Ross Gay was born in Pike 
county, Illinois, 1841. He is the son of Stephen and Elizabeth M. Gay, and is 
the second of a family of six children: John, S. R. (our subject), Florence, 
Elizabeth, and two who died in infancy, Ulysse and Mary. 

Mr. Gay received his early education in the public schools of Pike count}-, 
Illinois, and afterward enjoyed the benefit of the instruction of a private teacher. 
At the age of seventeen he entered the Medical College of St. Louis, under Dr. 
J. F. Hodgin, one of the foremost physicians of his locality, graduating and re- 
ceiving his degree in 1861. He then took a post graduate course, receiving his 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 113 

second degree in 1862. After leaving college the Doctor was engaged in the St. 
Louis Hospital as assistant surgeon. Afterward he entered the service of the 
Federal government as contract surgeon, where he served until 1864, when he 
began the practice of medicine in St. Louis, remaining there until the latter part 
of 1866. Later he moved to Iberia parish, and, with his father, purchased the 
Belle Grove plantation, which is situated on Bayou Teche, a half mile from 
Jeannerette. Belle Grove plantation comprises one thousand acres of land, of 
which six hundred are cultivated in sugar cane. In 1868 Dr. Gay rebuilt his 
sugar house, which had been partially destroyed during the war, and in 1885 ^t; 
built a refinery, with a capacity for manufacturing fifty thousand pounds of sugar 
per day. He refines on an average three hundred thousand pounds per annum 
for himself, and about one million pounds for other planters. 

Dr. Gay married, 18S6, Miss Agnes Whitworth, a native of Louisiana, and 
daughter of George W. Whitworth, of whom a sketch appears in this work. To 
this union have been born two children: Florence (deceased) and Delphine. Dr. 
Gay is fully alive to the interest of his communit}'. He is at present president of 
the Jeannerette Building Association, and he is identified witht he leading enter- 
prises of the place. ^ 

ROBERT HOGSETT, New Iberia.— Robert F. Hogsett was born in 
Carroll county, Mississippi, in 1844. He is the son of George A. Hogsett and 
Maria McCarroll. George A. Hogsett is a native of Virginia; his wife of 
Mississippi. They became the parents of five children, of whom Robert F. is the 
third. Robert F. Hogsett was educated in the public schools of Mississippi, 
and at the age of fourteen began life as a telegraph operator. In 1862, he en- 
listed at Jackson, Mississippi, in Company A, Withers Artillery Regiment, 
under Col. W. T. Withers. He served until the close of the war. After the 
war he resumed telegraphy and was for some time engaged at Holly Springs, 
Mississippi. He was subsequentl}' engaged in the same business in different 
places in Louisiana until 1882, when he removed to New Iberia, and is now en- 
gaged in the livery business and is owner of a telegraph and telephone line be- 
tween New Iberia, Abbeville and St. Martinsville. Mr. Hogsetl's first wife 
died December 3, 1870, and in 1881 he married Miss Laura Culpepper, 
daugher of J. E. Culpepper, of Mississippi, who is descended from the Culpepper 
family of Virginia. Her father's family came to this country in 1800 and settled 

in Mississippi. ^ 

» * 

JNO. F. HOFFMAN, Lore.a.uville. — ^Jno. F. Hoffman was born in 
Augusta, Georgia, December, 1841. He was reared and educated in New 
Orleans. His parents, Chas. F. and Caroline Hoffman, are both natives of 
Baltimore, Maryland. 



114 S0r77I\VESr L OUISIANA : 

The sul)ject of this sketch is one of a lamil}' of eiglit children, five of whom 
are Hving: C. F., Jno. F., Wilhehnine, Inez and RosaHe. Mr. Hoffman, dur- 
ing the war, was in service from 1862 until the fall of Vicksburg, in the Thirtieth 
Louisiana Regiment. He was captured near Vicksburg and paroled. After 
the war he removed to Southern Illinois, where he remained about eighteen }-ears 
and engaged in fruit raising. 

In 1875 he married Miss Ellen Tweed}-, a native of Illinois. She died in 1880, 
leaving one son and two daughters: Carrie, Cliarlie and Maggie. Mr. Hoffman 
afterward married Miss Nora Smith, a native of Union count}', Illinois, whose 
parents were among the pioneer settlers of the State. In 1SS4 Mr. Hoffman 
removed to Iberia parish and took cha'rge of Caroline plantation, formerly known 
as St. Rose de Lima, which had been purchased by his brother, C. E. Hoffman, 
formerly a private banker of New Orleans, residing now in New York. The place 
under Mr. Hoffman's good management has been greatly improved. Formerly it 
was one of the finest plantations in Southwest Louisiana, but when Mr. Hoff- 
man took charge of it, it was in a rather dilapidated condition. It is situated 
five miles East of Loreauville, on Lake Fausse Point, formerly known as Dau- 
terive Lake, from an earlier owner of the plantation. The soil is of unusual 
fertility, and the plantation on the whole is as fine as can be found in this section. 
Mr. Hoffman cultivates on it chiefly cane, which he manufactures into sugar and 
molasses in a large sugar house on the place. 

There is a large section of the most fertile land in the world in this region 

known as " Fausse Point." * 

» * 

WILLIAM F. HUDSON, Jeannerette. — The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Louisiana, born in St. Mary parish, 1825. He is the son of Turner 
and Isabella (Kemper) Hudson, natives of Virginia and Louisiana respectively. 

William F. Hudson is the oldest of a family of four children. His father 
died when he was five years of age and he was reared by his uncle, Benjamin 
Hudson, by whom he was educated. He first attended private school at Frank- 
lin, Louisiana, and afterward went to the college at Opelousas, where he re- 
mained for two years. At the age of eighteen he accepted a position as clerk 
in a commission house in New Orleans, where he remained until 1846, when he 
enlisted in the United States service and engaged in the Mexican War. Feb- 
ruary, 1848, he married Miss Elodie, daughter of Theodore Fay, a native of 
France, and Heloise (Segur) Fav, a native of Louisiana. 'To this union were 
born two children, Arthur T., who died at the age of five years, and Heloise, 
wife of A. L. Monnot, a prominent sugar planter and refiner of Jeannerette, 
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. In 1850 Mr. Hudson erected a 
large store building in Franklin, Louisiana. He purchased a stock of goods and 
was engaged in merchandise in that place until 1854, when he removed to Jean- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 115 

nerrette and opened the first store of anj' importance in tliis now thriving town. 
In his business at this place he was very successful, and at the beginning of the 
war had accumulated considerable property, nearly all of which was swept away 
b}- the war. In 1861 Mr. Hudson enlisted in the Third Louisiana Cavalry and 
served until the close of the war. Returning to Jeannerette in 1865, he turned 
over his business to his son-in-law', A. L. Monnot, under whose supervision it 
has prospered. Before the war Mr. Hudson was a Whig, and for a number of 
years post-master at Jeannerette under the Whig administration. Since the dis- 
solution of that party he has been a Democrat, and was appointed by President 
Cleveland's administration storekeeper at United States Mint, New Orleans, 
which he held for three years. Mr. Hudson has alvva\'s taken great interest in 
all local affairs, and especially in the growth of Jeannerette. He has been in- 
strumental in bringing about many of the improvements of the place, and to him, 
to a great extent, is due the honor of making the town what it is. Indeed, so 
generally is this recognized that he has been termed "The Father of Jeannerette." 
In 1870 he started the tirst sugar house, which led to the present large establish- 
ment back of Jeannerette. Mr. Hudson now leads a quiet life, refusing to be 
the recipient cf any political honors, which have been often tendered him. 

* « 

• E. KISSACK, New Iberia. — E. Kissack is a native of England, born 1836. 
He is the son of William and Margaret (Fell) Kissack, both of whom are natives 
of England. The former was born 1766, and died 1S40. 

E. Kissack came to Louisiana at the age of fifteen years. He was a me- 
chanic, and worked in this line until the war. At the beginning of the war he 
organized a company at Paincourtville, on Bayou Lafourche, but Gov. Moore, 
refusing to give the company transportation, it was disbanded, and the individual 
members enlisted in different other companies. Mr. Kissack was detailed at 
Corinth to duty in the Columbus, Miss., Iron Works. Since the war he has 
given his attention to planting. He now owns seven hundred acres of good 
sugar land in Iberia parish. Mr. Kissack has never married. 

HENRY A. KING, M. D., New IisEiiiA.— Henry A. King was born at 
Fausse Point, Louisiana, in 1S66. He is a son of E. T. King and Margaret A. 
Marsh. The former is a native of Alabama, born in Maringo county in 1823, 
the latter was born in 1834. They were married in 1858, and became the par- 
ents of two children, both boys, our subject being the younger. E. T. King 
served for a period of four years in the late war with the rank of captain. He 
was at one time a sugar planter, but is now eng'aged in the manufacture of 
bricks. His wife is still living. 

Henry A. King received his education at the University of Alabama. 



116 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

(,'radiiating from that institution in 1886. He thereupon began reading medicine 
under Dr. T. J. Wolf, after which he attended lectures in New Orleans, receiv- 
ing his diploma in 1889, and has been practising here. 

* 

* * 

JULIUS KOCH, New Ibhria. — Julius Koch, a successful druggist of New 
Iberia, is a native of Louisiana, Ijorn in 1859. ^^ '^ the son of Charles Koch and 
Mary Meyer. Charles Koch was born in Germany in 1824. He died in 1880. 
Mary Meyer Koch is a native of New Orleans. 

The subject of this sketch received a good business education and began 
life as a druggist. He studied pharmacj^ at the Tulane University, graduating 
from this department in 1879. Immediately after completing his studies he 
opened a large drug store in New Iberia, which he has since conducted. Mr. 
Koch is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and was the organizer of the 
society in this place. He is also a prominent member of the Episcopal church. 
Mr. Koch is united in marriage with Miss Louella Fislier, of Iberia parish. 
The}' are the parents of two children. 

* 

* * 

PIERRE LeBRON,Ne\v Iberia. — Mr. LeBron is a native of France, born 
1835. He came to Louisiana in 1857. He is the son of J. P. LeBron and Marie 
Pages, both natives and lifetime residents of France. They became the parents 
of four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was eldest. 

Mr. LeBron spent his school days in his native countrj-, and began liis first 
active business life in Houma, Terrebonne parish, Louisiana, as a merchant. In 
1870 he removed to New Iberia, and for two j'ears traveled and sold goods. In 
1872 he began a mercantile business at this place. He has prospered, and is 
doing a flourishing business. He owns about four hundred acres of land, all 
under cultivation, upon which he raises cotton. Mr. LeBron has never married. 

# 

»/ A. L. LAGARDE, Jeannerette, Iberia Parish. — A. L. Lngarde was 
born in Lafourche parish in i860. He is the son of Adrienne and Zeolide 
(Toups) Lagarde, both natives of Lafourche parish of French extraction. Mr. 
Lagarde attended Thibodeaux college until he was fifteen years of age, when he 
began the study of pharmacy under Joseph T. Thibodeaux, the founder of the 
Louisiana Pharmaceutical Association; here he remained five years. In 1886, 
in partnership with T. P. Caillou, he opened up a drug store in Jeannerette. After 
a year, Mr. Lagarde purchased the entire stock and continued the business alone. 
In the same year he married Miss Ada Parker, daughter of Capt. William and 
Amanda (Dodrich) Parker, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. In 
18S6 Mr. Lagarde entered the Chicago National Institute of Pharmacy, gradu- 
ating from there in 1888. In the same year he purchased and took charge of 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 117 

the Southern Pliarmacy, corner of Magazine and Josephine streets, New Or- 
leans. His business in Jeannerette is still continued, under the management of 
his nephew, Mr. Smyth. Mr. Lagrade is one of the founders of the Attakapas 
Pharmaceutical Association, and is now serving his second term as president of 
that organization. He was appointed by the Louisiana Pharmaceutical Associa- 
tion, ot which he is also a member, a delegate to Washington, to revise the United 
States Pharmacopreia. Mr. and Mrs. Lagarde are the parents of two cliildren, 
both sons, viz: Everett and Huder. 

Devoted to his family and business, Mr. Lagarde cares nothing for political 
prestige, finding in his business more congenial emploj'ment than in politics. 
Mr. Lagarde and family are consistent members of the Catholic church. He is 
also a member of the Catholic Knights of America. 

* 
» * 

^ J. B. LAWTON, New Iberia. — J. B. Lawton, editor and publisher of the 
New Iberia Enterprise, is a native of St. Charles parish, born in iS6o. He was 
reared in St. James parish, and at an early age became an apprentice in the print- 
ing office of Le Louiiianais, a weekly paper published by J. Gentil, prominent 
as a journalist and poet. The paper was printed in the French language. Mr. 
Gentil was a contributer to most of the French dailies of New Orleans and New 
York. He is still engaged in editorial work. J. B. Lawton remained in this 
printing office for a period of seven years, when he removed to St. John parish, 
and engaged with the Aleschacebe, where he remained for three 3-ears. He was 
subsequently engaged, for a brief period, in the composing rooms of the New 
Orleans Times and States. 

After severing his connection with these papers he came to New Iberia, and 
took charge of the local department of the Louisiana Sugar Bowl, in which he 
was engaged for four years. At the expiration of this time, he established the 
New Iberia Enterprise, which he conducted as a semi-weekly for about two 
years, since which time he has given the people an enlarged twelve-page 
weekly. The paper is in politics Democratic, and is especially devoted to the 
interest of the Attakapas parishes. This paper has accomplished much in the 
origin and promotion of enterprises for public good, and has received quite a 
liberal support from the people. 

Mr. Lawton is the son of William H. and Mathilde (Delhommer) Lawton, 
the former a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, the latter of St. Charles 
parish, Louisiana. Mr. William H. Lawton came South early in life, and was 
subsequently manager of a large sugar plantation in St. Charles parish. He 
was in active service during the whole of the war, and, at its close, served a 
term in the State Senate. He was twice married, our subject's mother being his 
second wife. He died in 1884. His wife still survives him. 



118 SOUTH WES 7 LOUISIANA: 

J. B. Lawton is united in marriage witli Miss Laura Cestia, of New Iberia. 
They are tlie parents of three children, Cestia, Rita and J. B., Jr. 

* 
« » 

^ J. B. LOBDELL, Olivier.— J. B. Lobdell was born in West Baton Rouge, 

July 31, 1858. He is the son of James L. and Angelina A. (Bird) Lobdell, both 

natives of West Baton Rouge. 

James L. Lobdell was a prominent planter of the parish, and during the 
years succeeding the war, 1866, 1867 and 1868, he was a cotton merchant in New 
Orleans, and member of the firm of Vose & Lobdell. During the administration 
of Gov. McEnery he was registrar of the State land office ; and was elected 
twice to the Legislature during the reconstruction period, but returning boards, 
like in all other cases, canceled his election. He was a very prominent Mason, 
having held every responsible position in that order. He was twice elected 
"■rand master, and held the position at the time of his death. He died at the age 
of fifty-two, in his home; at Baton Rouge. Mrs. Lobdell was reared and edu- 
cated in West Baton Rouge. Her father, J. A. Bird, was one of the most prom- 
inent planters in the State. She is still living on her Belle Vale plantation in 
West Baton Rouge. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a familj' of ten children, three 
sons and seven daughters, viz: John B.,our subject; Belle, James L., Caroline, 
Angelina, Pearl, Eva, Lavinia, William A. and Jennie. He spent his boyhood 
days until the age of fourteen in West Baton Rouge, where he received his 
primary education. At the age of fourteen he entered Roanoke College, Roan- 
oke, Virginia, from which institution he returned home, at theageof nineteen, and 
engaged as manager of his father's plantation, and during this lime he was 
instrumental in organizing the Young Delta Rifles, of which organization he was 
elected captain, which position he held for four years. In 18S6 he removed to 
Baton Rouge, and was engaged as clerk in the land office and book-keeper for 
the Knox saw-mill. While there he was elected first lieutenant of the Baton 
Rouge Fencibles. During the strike of 1887 his company was sent to Houma, 
under Col. Price, to quell the disturbance. In 1888 Mr. Lobdell removed to St. 
Mary's parish, and accepted the position of assistant manager of the Fusilier 
plantation. Here he remained two years, when he purcha-sed the Olive Branch 
plantation, in Iberia parish, and has since that time been engaged in planting 
cane. His plantation is situated five miles below New Iberia, on the east bank 
of the Teche. Two hundred acres of the plantation are cultivated in cane and 
corn. It is protected from overflow by a back levee, and is one of the most 
valuable plantations in this section. In 1881 Mr. Lobdell married Miss Eliza- 
beth H. Randolph, a native of Pointe Coupee parish. She is the daughter of Dr. 
Peter Randolph, a planter and prominent physician of the parish. Mrs. Lob- 
dell was educated in New Orleans, in Miss Prentiss' Private Seminary. Mr. and 



i 




H. W. ANDING 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 121 

Mrs. Lobdell are the parents of three children, viz: Josephine, Elizabeth and 

John Randolph. « 

* * 

LEON LOZES, New Iberia. — Mr. Lozes was born in France, 1840. He 
came to Louisiana at the age of twenty-tive years. He received a good educa- 
tion in his mother tongue in France. Since locating in Louisiana Mr. Lozes has 
been engaged in planting. He now operates eight hundred and fifty acres of 
land, in, the fifth ward of Iberia parish, about eleven miles west of New Iberia. 
This he cultivates chiefly in cotton, which he gins on his own plantation, having 
a large cotton gin for the preparation of his own and of his neighbor's cotton for 
market. Mr. Lozes is a successful planter. He was married, 1869, to Mrs. 
Landrjr. He and wife are members of the Catholic church. 

* 

r ALPHONSE LANDRY, New Iberia. — Mr. Landry was born in Lafay- 
ette parish in 1843. He is the son of Terville and Irma (Segura) Landiy. 
Terville Landry was born in Lafayette parish in 1815, and died in 1869. Our 
subject's mother was a native of Iberia parish, born in 1820, and died in 1853. 
Alphonse Landry received a good education, and in 1867 began planting. He 
has a plantation of two hundred acres, on which he has erected a gin house, and 
otherwise improved his place until it is now one of the most valuable plantations in 
this section. Mr. Landry has given most of his time to his plantation interest. 
Though active in local affairs, he has never held an office. 

Mr. Landry married, in i860. Miss Clara Cormeaux, a native of Lafayette 
parish. They are the parents of four children, two boys and two girls, viz : 
Irma, Ida, Gabriel and Anthony. Mr. Landry and family are members of the 
Catholic church. » 

^ JOSEPH T. LABOVE, Derouen.— The subject of this sketch was 
born March 19, 1854, ^" S*- Martin parish. He is the son of Adolph 
Labove and Poupan Labove, both natives of St. Martin parish. They became 
the parents of four sons and three daughters, viz : Alphonsene, Pierre, Joseph 
(our subject), Constance (deceased), Eugene, Eugenie, and Damonville. 

J. T. Labove was reared in the parish of St. Martin, and received a limited edu- 
cation. His father being an invalid, caused b}' a stroke or paralysis, our subject was 
compelled at the age of twelve years to begin work for the support of his parents, 
accepting anything for which he received a remuneration. He continued work 
as a farm hand until 1862, when he married Miss Pauline Robichaux, of Iberia 
parish. For some time after his marriage he was engaged in planting, and sub- 
sequently spent a short while in Texas. From an attack of sickness his health 
was impaired, and he spent some time in Jefferson parish, on the gulf, recuper- 
ating. In 1887 he removed to Texas, where he remained for the period of a 
8a 



122 SOUTHWEST L OUISIAXA : 

year, during wliich time he engaged in farming; but lieing convinced that Lou- 
isiana afforded better advantages for planting than Texas, he returned to Iberia 
parish and is now engaged as manager of an orange grove owned by Charles 
AValker, of Boston, Massachusetts. 

Mr. and Mrs. Labove are the parents of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, viz. : Felician, Lathilda, Eugene, Eugenia Ermine, Duchias, Joseph, 

Jr., and Clemence. » 

* * 

Jx\MES F. MARTIN, Nfav Iberia. — James F. Martin was born in 
Ramsbottom, Lancashire, England, April 30, 1823. He came to the United 
States in 1836, and to Louisiana in 1854. ^^"^ twentj'-one years he was engaged 
in sugar culture in Cuba and Louisiana. In 1880 he entered into partnership with 
Mr. Henry Childs, and they were the establishers of the first central sugar factory 
in Louisiana. In this they were engaged for nine j'^ears, when Mr. Martin pur- 
chased Mr. Childs' interest, and continued the business on his own account. 
The "Vida " refinery is located at Fausse Point, on the Teche, about one mile 
south of Loreauville, on some of the richest sugar lands of Louisiana. Among the 
patrons of the refinery are over thirty small planters. The "Vida" receives syrup 
and raw juice from several neighboring mills. The capacity of the refinery is 
about sixty thousand pounds of sugar per day. 

Mr. Martin was married, in 1872, to Miss Sarah J. White, of New Orleans, 
the issue of said marriage being a son and a daughter, Robert A. and Vida O. 

« 

* * 

/ THEOMILE MEQUEZ, Derouen.— Mr. Mequez was born in Iberia par- 
ish, October 12, 1835. He is the son of Antoine and Marguerite (Derouen) 
Mequez, both natives of Iberia parish. Mr. Mequez has given his whole atten- 
tion to planting since he began business for himself. At the breaking out of 
the war, he enlisted as a volunteer in Company A, Fournet Battalion, and served 
until its close. He owns a small plantation at this place, upon which he raises 
corn and cotton chiefly. Mr. Mequez married, in 1S55, Miss Colastie Landry, 
daughter of Maximilian and Marcelite (Trahan) Landry-, both natives of Louis- 
iana^ To this union a daughter was born, Elonid. 
» * 

^ DROZEN MEQUEZ, Derouen.— The subject pi this sketch was born 
May 20, 1844, in Iberia parish, Louisiana. He is a son of Antoine and Mar- 
guerite (Derouen) Mequez, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Theomile 
Mequez. 

Drozen Mequez was reared in Iberid parish, and educated in the public schools 
of the place until he was fourteen years of age, when he began work on a plan- 
tation. He now owns five hundred acres of land, tliree hundred of which are 



i 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 123 

under cultivation, tlie chief products being corn and cotton. He has a large steam 
gin on his plantation, from which lie turns out about five hundred bales of cotton 
a 3'ear. 

Mr. Mequez was married in 1867 to Miss Celestine LeBlanc, daughter of 
Cemouet and Celeste (Dupre) LeBlanc, both natives of Lafourche parish. As 
a result of this union they are the parents of three sons and a daughter, viz: 
Odias, Cimouet, Adolph, Avina. During the civil war Mr. Mequez served in 
Compan}' A, Fournet Battalion, for three years. He has since given his attention 
exclusivel}' to planting, and has made a success of his chosen calling. 

* 

" ANDREW MEYERS, Olivier.— The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Vermilion parish, born in November, 1819. He is the son of Henr}^ Meyers 
and Delphine Boudoin, the former a native of Holland, and the latter of Laf- 
ayette parish, Louisiana. Andrew Meyers grew to manhood in Vermilion par- 
ish, where he received his chief education. He was reared on a plantation, and, 
at an earh' age, married Miss Carmelite Louviere, of Iberia parish. He began 
planting the same year in Iberia parish, in which he was engaged for a period 
of seven years. He then removed to St. Mary parish, where he was engaged in 
the same business for a period of twenty-five years. He recently removed to 
Iberia parish, where he now resides. Mrs. Meyers died, and two years after 
her death Mr. Me3^ers married Miss Belgiere, daughter of Antoine and Mar- 
guerite (Hebert) Trahan. As a result of the first union twelve children were 
born, viz; Mar}- Delphine, Josephine, Deserie, Henry, Marguerite, Alvia, Ed- 
ward, Alcide, Jenny, Andrew, Jr., Felix and Bruce. Mr. Meyers has sixtj-- 

nine grandchildren. ^ 

* * 

DR. C. A. McGOWEN, Jeannerette. — Dr. McGowen was born in Henry 
count}', Mississippi, 1849. He is the son of Hugh and Gabrielle (Bracy) Mc- 
Gowen. Hugh McGowen was a nati\-e of South Carolina, born in Sumpter 
county, 1799. He removed to Mississippi at an early age and married Gabrielle 
Bracy, a native of thatState. Locating in Columbia, which at that time was the 
capital of the State, he was for some time engaged in general mercantile business. 
In politics he was a Whig, and was always prominent in the manipulation of 
party affairs, and represented his district in the State Legislature in 1S35. He 
died in 1858, his widow surviving him until i860. 

Dr. McGowen attended the schools at Colu.mbia until he was thirteen years 
of age. His father having died the year previous, he entered the Confederate 
army and enlisted in the Fourth Mississippi Cavalry. Under Chalmers and For- 
rest he served during the whole war. After the close of the war he matriculated 
in the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati, w'here he remained for two years. 
After completing his course he removed to Northern Louisiana, where he 



1 24 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

practised his profession successfully. After a year lie returned to his plantation 
in Mississippi. A year's experience as a planter satisfied Dr. McGowen that he 
could achieve more success in his profession. He located in Summit, Mississippi, 
where he succeeded in building up a lucrative practice. In 1876 he married. 
Miss Florence Bussej', a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Dr. Harvey Bussey, 
the noted surgeon in the Federal service during the war. In 1877 Dr. McGowen 
engaged in the drug business in Summit, and in 1879 ^^ removed to Jeannerette,. 
where he has since practised his profession, in connection with which he has a 
drug and stationery store. He has been very successful in his business. 

The doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 93. He assisted in 
organizing the Knights of Pj^thias organization in Jeannerette, of which he is a 
charter member. 

Dr. McGowen and wife are the parents of three children, viz: Alice Lee, 
Alfred Bussey, and Mary Florence. 

» * 
^ A. L. MONNOT, Jeannerette. — A. L. Monnot is a native of Assump- 
tion parish, Louisiana, born 1842. He is the son of Dr. Charles and Josephine 
(Bourgeois) Monnot, natives of France and Assumption parish, Louisiana, re- 
spectively. 

A. L. Monnot attended college at Bardstovvn, Kentucky, and from there 
went to France to complete his studies in the Lycee, after which he went to 
Strasburg, where he studied medicine. On the breaking out of the civil war he 
returned home, and at the age of twenty entered the Confederate army, enlisting 
in Company H, Second Louisiana Cavalry. He participated in all the engage- 
ments in Louisiana. Shortly after his return home, in 1865, he married Miss 
Heloise, daughter of William F. Hudson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work. In October, 1865, Mr. Monnot engaged in merchandising in Jeannerette, 
succeeding his father-in-law in the business. He began business on a capital of 
three thousand dollars, and has steadily increased his business until it reached its 
present proportions. In 1877 he engaged in sugar planting, continuing, how- 
ever, to conduct his mercantile business. In 1883 he erected the Vaufrey Re- 
finery in Jeannerette. Meeting with reverses in business he was compelled, in 
1S84, to ask for an extension by his creditors of $110,000. Three years later he 
had liquidated the amount, principal and interest. Mr^ Monnot has steadily im- 
proved his place, his expenditure for improvements alone in 1887 amounting to 
fifty-five thousand dollars. Vaufrey Refinery is an extensive one, with a ca- 
pacity for manufacturing six hundred tons of cane per twenty-four hours, or one 
hundred and fifty thousand pounds of sugar per da}'. 

Mr. Monnot is active in local affairs, and has for seven years been a mem- 
ber of the police jury, and for four years has been the president. He has, for 
six years, been a member of the school board, and was for some time a member 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. Vlh 

of the town council of Jeannerette. He is now a member of the board of com- 
missioners of tiie Grand Marais levee district, appointed by Governor NichoUs. 
He was for several years post-master of Jeannerette. 

Mr. Monnot and wife are the parents of two children, a son, Charles L., 
and a daugliter, Louise M. , 

PAUL NELSON, Burke Station. — The subject of this sketch is a na- 
tive of Iberia parish, born January 25, 1855. He is the sonof Wm. and Theresa 
(Darden) Nelson, both natives of St. Mary parish. Mr. Nelson had a lim- 
ited education. He began life as a planter, and has since engaged in merchan- 
dising. He is one of the successful business men of Iberia parish, and his business 
yields him a good income. Mr. Nelson was married, in 1880, to Miss Antoinair, 
daughter of John B. and Antoinair (Segura) Breaux, of Iberia parish. They 
are the parents of four cliildren, Adieskey, Dairnill, William, Albany. Mr. 
Nelson and his wife are members of the Catholic church. 

* * 

ROBERT A. OLIVIER. Olivier.— R. A. Olivier was born in Iberia par- 
ish in 1858. He is the sim of Eugene and Laura T. (Dalcour) Olivier. The 
former, is a native of St. Mar}- (now Iberia) parish, and the latter a native of 
Cuba. Thev became the parents of eleven children, si.x of whom are now 
living, viz: Theresa, Mary, Lucy, Robert Alfred, the subject of this sketch, 
and Louise. Eugene B. Olivier was a member of the House of Representatives 
of 1845, and member of the Senate of 1858. He was for some time president 
of the Police Jury, and at the time of his death was president of the school 
board. To him is due a great deal in building up of the parish schools. 

The subject of this sketch had limited educational advantages, owing to the 
fact that there were few schools in the parish within his reach. He attended 
private school for a short period, but his education has been chiefly acquired by 
association and private study. He began railroading at the age of sixteen years; 
and was for five years succeeding this engaged in the freight department of the 
Morgan Railroad. He was subsequently agent for the Wells Fargo Express 
Company, in which capacity he served for two years. At the time of his father's 
death, in 1882, he took charge of the plantation. Orange Grove, which is sit- 
uated five miles southeast of New Iberia, on the bank of the Bayou Teche. The 
plantation consists of six hundred acres of land, three hundred and fifty of which 
is cultivated in cane and corn. The plantation was sold in 1888, and purchased 
jointh' b}' Mr. Olivier, Mr. Farmer and Mr. Abraham. They have greatly im- 
proved tlie place and it is now in perfect order. They have a large six-roller 
sugar mill with steam train. Besides the manufacture of their own product they 
purchase and work up the cane from about fift}- small planters near them. In 
1890 they manufactured over a million pounds of sugar. 



126 SOi'TIIWEST L OUISIANA : 

In 1S82 Mr. Olivier was appointed member of the police jury ; about the 
same time he became a member of the school board, which office he now holds. 
In 1889 he was appointed parish assessor, and is the present incumbent of that 
position. Mr. Olivier is a member of the Order of the Knights of Pythias. 



s/ H. PATOUT, Patoutville. — Mr. Patout was born in Iberia parish, Sep- 
tember 4, 1855. He is the son of Hippohte and Mar}' A. (Schwing) Patout, 
both of whom are natives of Louisiana. 

The subject ot this sketch was reared on a plantation in Iberia parish, and 
received his primary education in the neighboring schools. He afterward pur- 
sued a three years" course of study in Holy Cross College, at New Iberia. 
After leaving school he assisted his father in managing his plantation in this 
parish until his father's death in 1884, when he assumed control of the planta- 
ion, to the operation of which he has since given his attention. The place is a 
valuable one, containing seventeen hundred and fifty acres, one thousand ot 
which are under cultivation. Mr. Patout has given his chief attention to sugar 
culture. His sugar mill is an extensive one, and was erected at a cost of not 
less than thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Patout is one of the wide-awake busi- 
ness men of this section. He married, in 1877, Miss Clelie Romero, daughter 
of Devesin Romero, of Iberia parish. Seven children have been born to them, 
four sons and three daughters, L^-dia, Ory, Annie, Bessie, Eunice, Sebastian 
and Oswell. ^ 

JUDGE ROBERT S. PERRY, New Iberia.— Robert S. Perry, judge 
of the Court of Appeals of the Third Louisiana Circuit, is a native of Lafayette 
parish, born December 5, 1834. ^^ '^ '^ ^on of Robert and Ezemely (Booth) 
Perr}'. Robert Perry, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish 
descent. When a boy he removed to Kentucky with his parents, where he 
received his education. When nineteen j-ears of age he came to Louisiana, 
where he married and spent the remainder of his life. 

Judge Robert S. Perr}- received the best education the schools of Louisiana 
afforded, and subsequently graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute, at 
the age of nineteen years. After completing his literary education he entered 
the law school at the Universitj^ of Louisville, where he took a course of lec- 
ti.ires, and afterward entered a law office in Anderson, Texas, where he pur- 
sued the study of law for about a year. At the expiration of this time he was 
admitted to the bar in that place. He never practised there, however, and 
returned shortly afterward to Vermilion parish, where he remained until the war 
broke out. Since that time, with the exception of the four years of the war 
and the time he has held official positions, he has given his attention exclusively to 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAnilCAL. 127 

his profession. In iS66 he removed to St. Martin parish and from thence, in 
1871, to Iberia. 

When Louisiana cast her fortune with the seceding States, Judge Perry- 
enlisted as a private in Company C, of the Eighth Louisiana Regiment, and in 
August of the same year was made first lieutenant. He served during the whole 
war in the Army of Northern Virginia. November 7, 1863, he was captured 
at Rappahannock, and held a prisoner at Johnson Island for nineteen months, 
where he was at the close of the war. After the war Judge Perrj^ resumed his 
practice. In 1879 ^^ ^"^^ elected a member of the State Senate, and served 
until 1884. During the time of his service he was active in all measures that 
came before that body for consideration. He introduced the first bill providing 
for the regulation of railroads in Louisiana. In 1888 he was elected by the 
Legislature judge of the Court of Appeals of the Third Circuit of Louisiana. 
Judge Perry is a thoroughly progressive gentleman and a man of ability. He 
is identified with all matters pertaining to the advancement of New Iberia. 

The Judge is peculiarly adapted for the important trust which he holds, be- 
ing a gentleman of deep learning, and having made a close study of his profes# 
sion. His public services have been well received, and he enjoys the confidence 
of a large circle of friends. 

Judge Perry has twice married; first, in 1870, Miss Bertha Gary, of St. 
Martinsville, who died in 1878, having become the mother of three children, 
one son and two daughters. On January i, 1883, he married Miss Camille 
Vedrines, of New Iberia. She died the October succeedincr their marriage. 

* 
* » 

^ JOSEPH A. PROVOST, Jeannerette.— Joseph Alcide Provost comes from 

an old famil}'. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Provost, was born in one of 

the English colonies, and emigrated to Louisiana in 1780. His wife was Mary 

Jeanne Provost, a native of San Domingo, where they were married. To them 

ten children were born, one of whom, Ursin Provost, married Julia Prevost, a 

native of Louisiana. They became the parents of two sons and three daughters: 

Nicliolas L., Coralie, Phijenie, Ursin and Antoinette. Ursin married Josephine 

Bodin, a native of St. Mary parish. To them were born a daughter and two 

sons, Joseph A. being the oldest. 

The subject of this sketch was born June 6, 1847, in what is now the parish 

of Iberia, then a part of St. Mary. Here he was reared and educated. In 1865 

he entered the army, enlisting in Company I, Third Louisiana Cavalry, Liddell's 

Brigade. After the war, Mr. Provost began cotton planting, under the direction of 

his stepfather, and during the time attended night school, where he completed his 

education. He continued with his stepfather until 1S67, when on November 

26, 1868, he married Emih' Druilhet, daughter of Alfred and Celestine (Poche) 

Druilhet, of St. James parish. She died the year following her marriage, July 



128 SOUTHWEST L OLTSIANA : 

26, 1869. After his marriage, Mr. Provost gave his attention to sugar raising. 
Beginning, in 1871, with only si.xty-three acres of land, and that heavily tim- 
bered, he, with his own hands, commenced the work of preparing his place for 
cultivation. In 1872, with the aid of his younger brother, he made liis first crop 
of cane, and to such good purpose had he labored that his net profit was over 
twelve liundred dollars. 

February 29, 1872, Mr. Provost married Eleanor Lyon, daughter of Joseph 
and Hortense (Hebert) Lyon. In 1873 '^^ purchased one hundred acres of 
land, and upon this raised a crop of cane. The second j'ear, with the aid of 
two workmen, he raised a sufficient amount of cane to net him eighteen hundred 
dollars. Since that time he has constantly improved his plantation, clearing out 
more land and erecting new buildings. In 1875 he erected a large sugar house 
on his plantation. Since that time he has been uniforml}^ successful. In 1888 
he made manj' improvements in his sugar house, and manufactured four hundred 
and ninet}' thousand pounds of sugar, from which he cleared sixteen thousand 
dollars. Mr. Provost now owns five hundred and fifty acres, of which he cul- 
tivates three hundred and fifty. His crop this year will amount to about seven 
hundred thousand pounds. Mr. Provost contemplates during the next year 
adding a refining apparatus to his already very complete plant. He takes a 
just pride in what he has accomplished, and Right Way plantation stands an 
illustration of how an indomitable will may achieve success. In 1884 Mr. 
Provost first employed an overseer, having personally supervised his plantation 
prior to this time. He still assumes general control, and to this ascribes the 
fact of his unvarying success in sugar planting. Mr. Provost first took an active 
part in politics in 1869. In 1874 ^^ was elected justice of the peace, and in 
1877 was appointed Police Juror, succeeding himself in office for three consecu- 
tive times. He resigned in 1884 to become candidate to the State Legislature, 
to which he was elected by an overwhelming majority. He is the first Democrat 
elected to that office from his district since the reconstruction period. The pop- 
ularity of his service is evinced in that his constituents, in 1888, reelected him 
by a majority of fifteen hundred. Mr. Provost is the unrelenting foe of monopo- 
lists, and in the session of 1890 used all his influence against the rechartering of 
the Louisiana State Lottery. He is the author of several bills tending to the 
promotion of the general good, notably the bill amending the laws regarding the 
adulteration of sugar and molasses, the bill for draining the low lands of Iberia, 
known as the Grand Marais, and the bill amending the law to more fully protect 
the fish in the rivers and lakes. 

Mr. Provost resides in the town of Jeannerette, of which place he has twice 
served as mayor, refusing a third term in 1886, to accept the office of council- 
man. He was reelected in 1888. He is also a member of the board of com- 
missioners of the Atchafalaya basin levee district. Mr. Provost's wife died 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 129 

September 29, 1886, having become the mother of seven children: Emily 
Antoinette, Hortense Louise, Antoinette Julia, Rita Marie, Joseph Alcide, Jr., 
Albert Sidney and Horatio Leo, the fourth and last having died in infancy. 

GEORGE MARSH ROBERTSON, New Iberia.— George Marsh 
Robertson was born in New Iberia, December 11, 185 1. He is the son of Wil- 
liam Robertson and Eliza A. Marsh, the former a native of Tennessee, born 
1819, and the latter a native of Iberia parish, born September 26, 1825. Wil- 
liam Robertson was a graduate of West Point, and was a classmate at that place 
with U. S. Grant. After leaving West Point he was for a time engaged as 
recruiting officer in New York Cit)^ From there he was sent to Pensacola, 
Florida, and was there engaged in what is known as the Florida War. He died 
February 17, 1890. Mrs. Robertson died in 1878. 

George Marsh Robertson was the fifth of a family of ten children. He was 
educated in Iberia parish, and at the age of sixteen he accepted a position as clerk 
in the general superintendent's office of the Mississippi & Tennessee Railroad in 
Memphis ; there he learned telegraphy, and soon became the superintendent's 
operator and depot ticket agent, which position he jheld until the Memphis & 
Little Rock Railroad was finished, and went on the first passenger train from 
Memphis to Little Rock to take the position of store and time-keeper of that 
road, which positions he held for about a year, when the general manager of 
the road appointed him auditor of accounts in the general office at Little Rock, 
and he remained in that position until 1879, when he returned to his old home in 
New Iberia, and has since then been engaged in the fire insurance business with 
his father, who established the business in 1846. Mr. Robertson married Miss 
Belle Tate Oliver, of Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Robertson's mother is a 
daughter of John C. Marsh, the one who operated first the salt wells of Iberia 
parish, from which, many years after his death was discovered the salt mines 
which have since been so noted. 

* * 

MILLARD F. SMITH, New Iberia.— Millard F. Smith was born in 
Louisville, Kentucky, July 27, 1856. He is the son of T. B. and Mar}- A. 
Smith; the former a native, of North Carolina, born in 1812 ; the latter of Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, born in 1821. His father located in New Orleans, and there 
became a large commission merchant. 

Our subject received his schooling at Jefferson College, Jefferson county, 
Kentuckjs wherehe received a classic education. He began business life for him- 
self at the age of sixteen as a clerk on the steamboat J. T. Moore, which pHed 
between New Orleans and Shreveport. He then accepted a position in the clothing 
store of Sprowl & McCown, New Orleans. Next he became a clerk and col- 
lector for the cotton house of Foster & Gwyn, of the same city, and subse- 



130 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

quently removed to Houma, Louisiana, where he was engaged as book-keeper, 
paymaster and storekeeper for H. C. Minor. After this he turned his attention to 
sugar planting, in which he continued for three years, when he opened a first-class 
livery stable and saloon at Houma, Louisiana. Locating at New Iberia in 1888, 
he established a large hotel — the finest in the city. He also conducts the "bon- 
ton" drinking saloon of New Iberia. Mr. Smith was married, November, 1878, 
to Miss Emma J. Westphal. To them have been born three children: Alma, 
Dot and Birdie, all living. ^ 

V/ JUNIUS SAMPSON, Belle Place. — Junius Sampson was born in Bos- 
ton, Mass., in 1849. His father, Calvin C. Sampson, was a prominent merchant 
of New Orleans, but a native of Massachusetts, where he married our subject's 
mother, Hannah Harlow, a native of the same State. Junius Sampson is one of 
a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, Chandler, Frank, Olive, 
Calvin, Thomas Harlow and our subject. 

Junius Sampson was reared and received his early education in Boston. 
He subsequently graduated from Harvard in the class of '71. He came to 
Louisiana in 1872, and engaged in sugar planting. In 1873 he purchased Marsh- 
field plantation, consisting of twenty-five hundred acres, cultivated chiefly in 
sugar cane, to which it is especially adapted. His mill has a capacity for mak- 
ing twenty thousand gallons per day. 

In 1879 ■'^''- Sampson married Miss Ella Rose, daughter of Wm. and Eliza 
beth (Moss) Rose, both natives of Iberia. Mr. Rose was one of the larges 
and most 'successful planters of Iberia parish; he was born and spent his 
early days at Avery's Salt Island, a portion of which his mother owned. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Sampson have been born two sons and two daughters, Anna H., 
Thos. R., Ella Margaret and Calvin C. 

* * 

W. E. SATTERFIELD, New Iberia.— W. E. Satterfield, an extensive 
planter and merchant of New Iberia, is a native of North Carolina, born in Eden- 
ton, 1851. He is the son of G. B. and Mary A. (Reddick) Satterfield, both of 
whom are natives of the "Old North State." G. B. Satterfield was a lawyer 
and merchant. He removed to Louisiana in 1854, where he engaged in agricul- 
ture. He had accumulated quite a fortune before the war, but like many other 
Southern planters lost nearly the whole of it. He died in 187S. Mrs. Satter- 
field died in 1858. 

The subject of this sketch began life as chief clerk in a large country store 
in Pointe Coupee parish. In this he was engaged from 1867 to 1871 ; after which 
he took a commercial course in Jefferson College, on the completion of which he 
resumed his duties in the same.establishment. In 1874 he was made juniormem- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 131 

bei" of the firm with which he was engaged, and assumed the active control of 
the business. In 1881 he removed to New Iberia and purchased a plantation 
about one mile from the city. His plantation is one of the finest in Iberia parish. 
There are few more practical, successful planters than Mr. Satteifield. He also 
conducts a large mercantile business in New Iberia, and is largely interested in 
town property. He is a stock holder in the New Iberia National Bank, and the 
cashier and a large stock holder in the People's National Bank at New Iberia. 

Mr. Satterfield is a self-made man. Whatever he has accomplished has been 
entirely through his own efforts. The first position he held, in compliance with 
his own request, he was on trial, with the understanding that if his services were 
not perfectly satisfactory he was to receive no remuneration for them. 

He is united in marriage with Miss Eloise Francisa deGeneres, of Avoyelles 

parish. 

« 

* * 

V. A. SOUATHE, Loreauville. — Mr. Souathe was born in the South 
of France, in 1851. He was educated partly in Batherren College, France, 
and in the private schools of Louisiana. Leaving France in 1865, he 
arrived in St. Martinsville at the age of fourteen years, where he remained for six- 
years, engaged as a clerk. He then removed to New Iberia, where he engaged 
in the mercantile business and continued it for six j'ears. In 1887 he opened 
a store in Loreauville, beginning with a general stock of goods valued at two 
Imndred dollars. He now carries a stock of from ten to twelve thousand dollars ; 
his business increases annually, and now amounts to about thirt3'-six thousand 
doll^s. 

Mr. Souathe married, in 1879, Ernestine Muller, a native of Iberia parish. 
She is the daughter of Nicholas and Felice (Hebert) Muller; the former a 
native of France and a prominent planter of Iberia parish, the latter a member 
of one of the old Louisiana families. They are the parents of four children, viz : 
Rosa, Marie, Felice, Rita. 

* * 

GEORGE SIMON, New Iberia. — George Simon is a native of the Black 
Forest, Germany, and came to America in 1866. He is the son of George 
Simon, who was in the revenue department in Germany nearly all of his life. 

George Simon received his education from one of the best institutions of 
his native place. After coming to this country in 1866 he traveled for some time 
in the United States and Mexico, and, in 1876, located in New Iberia, and 
became manager of the foundry business of F. S Lutzenburger, fifteen years 
after which he took charge of the business on his own account. Mr. Simon is one 
of the energetic men of this place. He was married in 187310 Miss Julia Lutz- 
enberger. They are the parents of six children. 



132 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

"•'' J. C. SANGUINETT, Jeannerette.— J. C. Sanguinett was born in New 
Orleans, in 1842. He is the son of John and Angel (Campbell) Sanguinett, the 
former a native of Italy and the latter of New Orleans. They became the 
parents of seven children, viz: Caroline, Angel, Cora, Harriet, Joseph C. (our 
subject), Philip, Jacob. The father died when J. C. was only seven years of 
age; his mother married a second time, and Joseph was taken b}' his uncle, who 
lived in the parish of St. James. He was sent to the public schools in New Or- 
leans. At the age of fourteen his uncle took him on his plantation and he en- 
gaged in business there, in which he continued until the opening of the war. In 
September, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Louisiana Cavalry, 
serving until January, 1864. He was captured at Bayou Lafourche and paroled. 
After some months he joined the Heavy Artillery, with which he served until 
the close of the war. In 1867 he married Hermina Butaud, daughter of A. and 
Irena (Lange) Butaud. A. Butaud was a native of France and his wife of St. 
Mary parish. After marriage Mr. Sanguinett was engaged in planting for a 
period of two 3'ears. In 1871 he began a general mercantile business in Iberia 
parish. In 1881 he removed to Rayne, Acadia parish, where he was in business 
for a year. He located in Jeannerette, June, 1890, and here engaged in busi- 
ness. Mr. Sanguinett, though taking a deep interest in political matters, has 
never been an aspirant for office. He is a modern Democrat and stands with 
his party on the issues of the day. He is a member of the Knights of Honor at 
Franklin, La. He and wife are the parents of ten children, viz: Angel, Amiel, 
(wife of D. Etiet), Septine, Joseph, Electa, Rita, Julia, Mary, Denis, Noelie. 
Mr. Sanguinett takes great interest in educational matters, and he is giving his 
children the best educational advantages. 

* 
* » 

^ P. H, SEGURA, New Iberia. — P. H. Segura was born in Iberia parish, 
in 1853. He is the son of Raphael and Celima (Bonin) Segura. His father 
was born in 1794, and is still living near Spanish Lake. He is one of the 
oldest citizens of the parish. His life would furnish a histor}' within itself. His 
long life has been full of usefulness, and in his old age he is revered bj- all who 
know him. 

The subject of this sketch received a fair education, and began planting in 
1875. He was elected clerk of the court of Iberia parish in 1876 and held this 
office until 1884. Since that time he has given his chief attention to planting. 
Mr. Segura is a thoroughly wide-awake gentleman, and keeps abreast of the 
times. He is always identified with measures which tend to promote the public 
interest. His plantation consists of four hundred and fifty acres, on which he 
resides. He raises a variety of products, and from them he receives a good in- 
come. Mr. Segura was married, in 1879, '^o Miss Cora, daughter of Jacob and 
Mary (Hathen) Smith, of New Orleans. They are the parents of six children. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 133 

three of whom died in infancy. Mr. Segura and family are strict adherents to 

the Catholic faith. » 

» • 

JOHN T. WHITE, Jeannerette.— John T. White is a native of Troy, 
New York, born in 1842. He was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, to which place 
his parents had removed when he was seven years of age. He received his educa- 
tion in the pul)lic schools of Cincinnati, and, early in 1862, entered Harrison 
College ; but in August of that year he enlisted in Company D. Eighty- third Regi- 
ment Ohio Volunteers. He served principally in the Gulf Department. In 1S64 
he was commissioned first lieutenant, and was transferred to the Provost Mar- 
shall office and stationed at New Iberia, Louisiana. Here he remained until he 
was mustered out of active service. During his stay here he was so favorably 
impressed with this section of Louisiana that he purchased a plantation and 
engaged in sugar planting, in which he still continues. His plantation, Ba}- 
Side, formerly owned by Col. Frank D. Richardson, consists of two thousand 
five hundred acres of land, about nine hundred of which are under cultivation. 
The sugar mill erected before the war has been entirely remodeled from the old 
style open kettle to the double mills, with saturation and steam trains. The Bay 
Side and Alice plantations combined, in 1890, erected a refinery fully equipped 
'for the manufacture of four million pounds of sugar. 

Mr. White married, in 1870, Miss Sarah Hull, a native of Pittsfield, Illinois, 
and daugher of John Hull, a prominent land owner and banker of Pike count}-, 
Illinois. They are the parents of two children: Junius H., born in Illinois in 
1873, now in college in Alabama; Lizzie, born in 1874, in Louisiana. Although 
he has been several times solicited to do so, Mr. White has never allowed 
his name to appear in the role for political honor. In national politics he is a 
Republican. In 1868 he entered the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and 
has filled various offices of these lodges. Mr. White is a member of the 
Methodist church, and his wife of the Presbj-terian. Mr. White realizes the 
advantages of his adopted State, and firmly believes in the possibilit}- of its future 
greatness. \, 

LUKE TRAINOR, New Iberia.— Luke Trainor, of the firm of Trainor 
Sons, was born in Franklin, Louisiana, in 1862. He is the son of O. J. Trainor, a 
native of Ireland, born 1S28. O. J. Trainor came to this country in 1840, where 
he remained until his death. He was the owner of a large door, blind and sash 
factory. Our subject's mother, Emily Wexem, is a native of Louisiana, of 
French descent. She now resides in New Iberia. 

The subject of this sketch spent his school days in Franklin, Louisiana, 
receiving his chief education at Bryant College. He was engaged with his 
father in business until his death, since which time he has been a member, and 



13-t SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

general manager, of the firm of Trainor Sons, in the operation of their large 
sash, door and blind factor}- at this place, in which he employs about twenty 
men. Their business is extensive, and the firm is one of the best known in 
Louisiana. , 

^ G. W. WHITWORTII, Jeannerette.— The subject of this sketch was 
born in Posey county, Indiana, June 6, 1833. He is the son of Joseph 
S. and Sarah (Parker) Hatfield, a descendant of the ancient Hetzfeldt 
family of Germany. They were married about 1810. To them were born 
seven children: Wesley, James, Lewis (deceased in 1884), Benjamin, Thomas, 
Henry and George W., our subject. The paternal great-grandfather of George 
W. Whitworth, Abraham Whitworth, about 1750, in company- with two brothers 
and a sister, Ferdal, Thomas and Narcissus, emigrated from England to Vir- 
ginia. Abraham settled on the French Broad River, near the line ot North 
Carolina, marrying an American, Miss Gawltney, who had been reared by Gen- 
eral John Morgan, of Revolutionary fame. To this marriage was born four 
sons, Isaac, Ferdal, Joseph S. and Samuel. Joseph S. was born on the French 
Broad River, 1790. His marriage and children we have noted above. After 
marrying he removed to what is known as Cotton Grove Postoffice, Tennessee, 
where Wesley, James and Lewis were born. In 1814 Joseph S. Whitworth 
volunteered in Andrew Jackson's army, under Captain Weekley, and partici- 
pated in the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. In 1818 he removed with 
his family to Posey county, Indiana, and settled in New Harmony, where he re- 
mained about two years. Then purchasing a section of land six miles east of 
New Harmony, he engaged in farming on an extensive scale. There the four 
N'ounger children were born, among them being our subject. Mr. Whitworth 
sold his farm in 1842, and removed to Mount Vernon, Indiana. In 1849 he 
came to Centreville, St. Mary parish. Louisiana, locating in 1870 in Jeanner- 
ette, which at the time of his arrival was a plantation, there being but five 
iiouses in the place. He was one of the prime movers in building a large saw 
mill, from which enterprise has sprung the flourisliing town of Jeannerette. 
Joseph S. Whitworth died in Jeannerette, December 29, 1871, his widow sur- 
viving him until June, 1876. 

George W. Whitworth, the subject of this sketch, vi^as educated at Green- 
castle, Indiana, in the Asbury University, now Depau University. After com- 
pleting his education he went, in 1856, to Kansas City, Missouri, and engaged 
himself as a clerk. He remained there until 1861, when, with his family, he 
removed to Indiana, and in 1863 entered the United States service as regimental 
quartermaster of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
He did no dutj^ with this regiment, however, but served as commissary of sub- 
sistence on the staff of Gen. O. B. Wilcox. After his term of service had 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 135 

e-xpired lie engaged in merchandising in Greencastle, Indiana, whence he 
removed to MinneapoHs, Minnesota. In 1S79 ^e removed to Jeannerette, and 
engaging with liis brother in the saw-mill business. He assisted his brother in 
building up the enterprises of the town up to the time of the latter's death in 
1884. He still retains an interest in the saw-mill business, which is conducted 
under the name of Whitworth & Co., the firm being composed of the subject, G. G. 
Walker, and Walter B. and Jos. E. Whitworth. Their mill is located in the town of 
Jeannerette, and has a capacity of twenty to thirty thousand feet per day. The 
Company owns about twenty-five hundred acres of virgin swamp timber land, 
and employs about sixty men throughout the year. The Company dresses its 
own lumber, making shingles to use up waste tiniber, and using, in doing so, 
only one machine, with a capacity of about twenty thousand shingles per day. 
In 1854 ^^ subject married Sarah M. Kercheval, a native of Greencastle, 
Indiana, a daughter of Edward R. Kercheval, one of the prominent men of 
Putnam count}', Indiana, whose great grandfather was a Huguenot who came 
to this country during the persecution in France. She was born in 1836. To 
this union have been born five children, Walter B., Joseph E., Agnes S. (wife 
of Dr. S. R. Gay), Florence and Alice K. Walter B. and Joseph E. are inter- 
ested with their father in the saw-mill business. Both are married; the former 
to Miss Medora Allen, of New Orleans, and the latter to Miss Rachel E. 
Stewart, of Wilmot, Nova Scotia. In 1856 our subject became a Master Mason 
in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a member of Jacques de Molay Commandery 
of Knights Templars, of New Orleans. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and 
an elder in that church. In politics he is a Republican, and was one of the 
prime movers in the white Republican party in this locality. 

» * 

WM. F. WEEKS, New Iberia.— William F. Weeks, a successful planter 
of Iberia parish, was born in 1825. His father, David Weeks, was a native of 
Maryland, born 1780. Removing to Louisiana in 1812 he became an extensive 
planter. He died in this State in 1834. O"'" subject's mother, Mary C. Con- 
rad, is a native of Virginia, born 1845 and died 1862. They became the parents 
of six childrent, the subject of this sketch being the oldest son. 

He spent his school days in Louisiana and Virginia and received a liberal 
education. Mr. Weeks has given nearly his whole attention to planting, and he 
is one of the largest land holders and most successful sugar planters in Iberia 
parish. His plantation consists of over seven thousand acres. He also gives special 
attention to raising a fine grade of stock. ' He is the possessor of Grand Cote 
Island, which contains about two thousand five hundred acres of land. Mr. 
Weeks is united in marriage with Miss Mary I. Palpry, a native of this State. 
They are the parents of two daughters. 



CHAPTER III. 



PARISH OF CALCASIEU. 



' D. D. ANURUS, Jenninus. — D. D. Andrus, planter, was born near wliere 
he now resides on October 7, 1832. He is the son of Charles H. and Lisima 
(Guidry) Andrus. His parents are natives of Calcasieu and St. Martin parish, 
Louisiana, respectively. They belong to the oldest families of the State. Charles 
H. Andrus is still living, and is a resident of this parish. He has alvva3-s been a 
farmer and stock raiser, and is now owner of twenty-five hundred acres of land, 
where he resides. The mother of our subject died November 21. 18S9, at the age 
of seventj'-six years. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of twelve children . He began life 
as a planter, and now owns eleven hundred acres of land, upon which he raises a 
variety of products and a great amount of stock. He has at the present time on 
his plantation more than three hundred head of cattle and one hundred and fiftj' 
horses. Mr. Andrus has also an interest in a large mercantile business at Jen- 
nings and Lake Arthur, in partnership with D. Derouen. Mr. Andrus is prom- 
inent in local politics, as well as all other public affairs. He has served as police 
juror from his ward since 1874, '^^^ ^°'" ^ number of years was notary public. 

He was married in 1855 to Miss Aurelie Arceneaux, daughter of Orelienand 
^Liry (Andrus) x\rceneaux, and natives of Lafayette and Calcasieu parishes, 
respectivelv. Mr. and Mrs. Andrus are the parents of nine children, five sons 
and four daughters: Isaac E., Morgan D., Martin J., Felix D., Jules A., Clara 
A., wife of John Castex, Jr. ; Laura, wife of Arthur A. Hebert; Mary and 
Alice, of whom the last two died in 1S61 and 1S62, respectively. Mr. Andrus 
and wife are members of the Catholic church. 

* * 
B. C. ANDRUS, Jexnix(;s. — B. C. Andrus, planter, was born where he now 
resides, in 1856. He is the son of Charles H. and Lisimia (Guidry) Andrus. of 
whom mention is made in the sketch of D. D. Andrus: 

B. C. Andrus was reared in Calcasieu parish on the place where he now re- 
sides. He has given his chief attention to stock raising, which, by raising a 
good grade of stock, yields him a good income. Mr. Andrus was married in 
1S76 ^ Theodocia, daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Andrus) Reed, natives of 
Oa 



138 SOrTJ/WEST L Ol ISIAXA . 

Calcasieu parish. To this union have been born eight children, four sons and 
four daughters, live of whom are living, viz : Emilie, Mary E., Ophelia, Cora G.., 

Izora. , 

* * 

JOSEPH A. ANDERSON, Welsh.— Joseph A. Anderson, planter, was 
born in Atlantic county, New Jersey, September 3, 1845. He is the son of Wil- 
liam and Achas (Alien) Anderson, natives of Virginia and' New Jersey, respec- 
tively. Th.ey were married in New Jersey, and became the parents of four chil- 
dren, three sons and one daughter, viz: Joseph A., the subject of this sketch ; 
Elizabeth L., wife of Walter Balfour, of Pocahontas county, Iowa; Achas A., 
wife of Samuel Bowell, of Pocahontas county, Iowa; Moranda. William An- 
derson, with his family, removed to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1857. He was by 
occupation a glass blower. After removing to Illinois he engaged in farming. 

The subject of this sketch received a good business education in the schools 
of New Jersey and Illinois. He has been a farmer since beginning business life 
tor himself. In 1863 Mr. Anderson enlisted in the United States army, Com- 
pan\- A, Ninth Iowa Cavahy, in which company he served until the close of the 
war. After the war he returned to Illinois, and was there engaged in farming 
until 1SS8, when he removed with his family to Calcasieu parish, Louisiana, and 
purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land. He has given his 
principal attention to rice culture, in which he has been successful. Mr. Ander- 
son was married, in 1868, to Miss Carrie L. Robbins, daughter of Isaac and 
Louvincia (Prentiss") Robbins. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and 
her motlier of Ohio. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Masonic order. 

* * 

V/ CAPT. J. W. BRYAN, Lake Charles.— Capt. J. W. Bryan is descended 
from good old Irish ancestr\', but the family has been so long in this country, 
and become so thoroughl}' Americanized, that few of the Irish traits now appear 
upon the surface. One characteristic that remains, however, is that of sterling 
honest}-. His great-grandfather -( O'Brien) emigrated to America when a boy 
and settled in Virginia; married and raised a family there. Luke Br\-an, one of 
his sons, and the grandfather of the subject of our sketch came to Louisiana 
early in life and married Miss Rebecca W. Berwick, in 1S02: from her family 
Berwick's Bay derives its name. One of the sons born to them was John Bryan, 
the father of Capt. Bryan, who was reared and educated there. In earl)- man- 
hood he married Miss Nancy A. Lyons, and, about 1832, settled in Calcasieu 
parish. In 1839 he removed to Texas, and resided there until his death, in 1844, 
when the family returned to Calcasieu parish. Here Mrs. Bryan was 
married a second time, to Mr. Jacob E. Harmon, b}' whom slie had three 
children. 

Capt. Brj-an, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in this par- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 139 

ish, December 28, 1834. ^'^ early educational facilities were limited, and he 
belongs to that very numerous class of prominent men who owe their education to 
their own aspirations and unaided exertions to rise above the station in which they 
were born to one of greater exertions and more extensive and higher uselulness. 
Up to the time of his mother's death, young Br3'an spent his time farming and 
attending the country schools, when here were any to attend, which in his early 
days were few and far between. Not content with an occupation in which his 
chances for development and usefulness were so restricted, he determined to 
obtain a mental discipline which would fit him for literary pursuits. 

In "this good republican country of ours, where organic laws denounce 
hereditar}' patents to nobilitjs most men indulge the vanit}' of pride at achieve- 
ments so marked and great as those which lead and direct a Clay or a Lincoln 
from the humblest walks of life to the highest position in the councils of the 
nation. The great ambition of }'^oung Bryan was to fit himself for literary 
work. To this end he attended school and pursued a literary course, teaching 
and studying alternately, until he attained the age of twentj^-five \ears. His 
course had not yet been completed when the civil war came on and caused such 
confusion and derangement in all the affairs of life. Laying aside all selfish 
claims and personal desires, that he might serve his country- unfettered, he quit 
school and in 1861 organized the militia of Calcasieu parish, for the purpose of 
home protection. Early in 1862, being called on for four companies, he organ- 
ized the four volunteer companies, and within twenty days from the time of re- 
ceiving the requisition, he was on the march to Opelousas with these companies 
to report for duty, from whence the command proceeded to New Orleans, and 
thence to Camp Moore, and it was there that the Twenty-eighth Louisiana In- 
fantry, under Col. Allen Thomas, which distinguished itself in the battle of 
Chickasaw, and the memorable siege of Vicksburg, which began on the 21st of 
■Ma}' and was raised on the 4th of July, was organized. During the siege Capt. 
Bryan, being the ranking officer of his regiment, commanded it. Col. Thomas 
having been promoted to brigadier general. 

Capt Bryan sheathed his sword when the cause was lost, returned liome and 
cast about him for " ways and means "" to repair the ravages of the war. He re- 
sumed teaching, which he continued for about four years, the last three in tlie town 
■of Lake Charles, studying and improving his mind in the meantime. In 1869116 
opened a mercantile business in the' town, which he followed up to 1884. In 
1871 he became editor and proprietor of the Lake Charles Echo, which he con- 
ducted with great ability until the 14th of March, 1890, when he sold the paper 
and retired from its editorship. Under his management the Echo became 
one of the ablest and most popular countrv weeklies in Louisiana and contrib- 
uted greatly to the building up and development of Lake Charles and Calcasieu 
parish. For some time Capt. Bryan has been engaged in the real estate busi- 



140 .S0[J'rH\VES7' LOCISIAXA : 

ness. lie has always taken an active interest in the local affairs of the town and 
parish, and he is especially noted for the interest he has manifested in school 
work. To him, perhaps, more than any one man is due the credit of the elli- 
cient school s3-stem of Lake Charles. At different times Capt. Bryan has served 
as ma3-or and councilman of the town, and several times has represented his par- 
ish in the board of police jurors, as well as Gener^il Assembly of the State. 

Capt. Bryan was married to Miss Delia K. Singleton, September 9, 1869. 
They have three promising sons and five bright and lovely daughters. The 
eldest of the latter is the wife of J. C. F. Kyger. President of the Commercial 
College, of the Baylor University, Waco, Texas. 

* 

* * 

^ THOMPSON BIRD, Lake Charles.— Thompson Bird is a member of 
the firm of J. A. Landry & Co., who own and operate an extensive ice factory 
in Lake Charles. This factory was originated in 1S90, and is equipped with the 
latest improved ice machinery. It has a capacit}' of manufacturing ten tons of 
ice per day. They supply the demand of the whole of Southwest Louisiana, 
including Opelousas, Lafayette, New Iberia and Morgan Cit}^ The firm is 
composed of J. A. and T. Bird and D. J. Landr3',3'oung men and full of energ}-. 
It is due to them that Lake Charles will soon be lighted by electricity. 

Thompson Bird was born in St. Louis, September 23, 1854. ^'^^ '^ the son 
of Abel T. and Julia (Vonphule) Bird. His father is a native of Bird's Point, 
Missouri, this place having belonged to the Bird family for many generations. 
The parents of our subiect removed to New Orleans, and from New Orleans to 
WestBaton Rouge, in 1872, where the father was engaged in sugar planting. Prior 
to coming to Louisiana he had been a member of the firm of Vonphule Sons & 
Co., wholesale grocers, in St. Louis. He still resides on his plantation in West 
Baton Rouge parish. 

The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of eight children. He 
received his education in St. Louis and at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama. 
After leaving school Mr. Bird entered a machine shop foundiy in New- Orleans, 
with the intention of becoming a machinist. Here he served an apprenticeship 
for three years, after which he was engaged on his father's sugar plantation in 
erecting machinery and managing the mechanical part of the work. In the year 
1880 he came to Lake Charles, and has here been engaged in business since that 
time. Mr. Bird married, in 1878, Miss Regina Landry. They are the parents 
of two sons, Fred and Frank. Both Mr. Bird and wife are members of the 

Catholic church. ^ 

* * 

DENNIS E. BAGGETT, Dry Creek, Calcasieu Parish.— Dennis E. 
Baggett was born in Harrison count}', Mississippi, in 1847. He spent his boy- 
hood days and received his education in Mississippi. At the age of seventeen 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 141 

j^ears he moved to Louisiana and located in Calcasieu p;irish, where he has since 
been engaged in farming. His father was a native of Florida and his mother of 
Mississippi. The father moved to Mississippi earh- in life, where he was 
engaged in lumbering. He died August, i86i,and his widow survived liim only 
a \-ear. 

Dennis E. Baggett was married, in 1S67, to Miss Ellen Nicolas, a native of 
Calcasieu parish. They are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are 
living. , 

E. H. BURLESON, Lake Charles. — E. H. Burleson, a large saw-mill 
owner on Priens Lake, is a native of Mississippi, born 1845. He is the son of 
Eljas and Sarali (Goff) Burleson. His father was a native of Mississippi, born 
1813, and his mother of Mississippi, born 1818. Thej-were married in Jackson 
county, Mississippi, and became the parents of ten children, five sons and five 
daughters, only two of whom are now living. Elias Burleson w-as a planter in 
Mississippi. He died in 1S65, his wife surviving him until 1S74. Both were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in Jackson county, Mis- 
sissippi. At the age of sixteen years, in 1861, he enlisted in Compan}- L, 
Twent3'-seventh Mississippi Infantrj', and was in the battles of Chickamauga, 
]Missionar3' Ridge and Lookout Mountain. At the last named place he was 
taken prisoner and kept in confinement until the close of the war. 

He removed from Mississippi to Texas in 1S68 and came to Louisiana in 
1S79, and embarkted in the saw-mill business with his brother in 1881. \n 1889 
his brother sold out his interest to C. Granger. He died in 1890, having been 
connected with the business for one year prior to 1S90. He was succeeded bj' 
Joseph V. Duhon. The present firm are energetic business men, and their 
business is large. Their mill has a capacity for cutting from twenty to twenty- 
five thousand feet of lumber per day. Mr. Burleson has never married. 

» * 
1/ J. M. COLEY, M. D., Welsh P. O., Calcasieu Parish.— J. M. Coley is a 
native of Louisiana, born in 1831. His father, John Coley, a native of France, 
was a farmer and carpenter. He married Cynthia Perr}^, of Newton count}', 
Georgia. They are the parents of seven children, six pf whom are living: C. 
C, W. S., Martha J. (wife of John Hendreck), Mary E. (wife of B. Hubard), 
Cynthia A. (wife of John Simpson), and J. M. (subject of this sketch). Mrs. 
Coley died in O.xford, Georgia, in 1840. John Coley married again, and to this 
union have been born four children: Thomas, George and Frances (twins), and 
Samuel. Mr. Coley lost his life in a storm in 18^3. His widow survived him until 
1S81. 

Our subject received his education in the common and higli schools of 



U-> S O i '77/ J< ^ES T LO UISI. 1 NA : 

Oxford, Georgia. He began tlie study ot medicine in 1854, attending lec- 
tures at the Piiiladelphia Medical College and graduated in the class of 1S57. 
Immediately thereafter he began to practise in Randolph county, Ala. Soon after 
he emigrated to Texas, where he remained until 1859, when he came to Louisi- 
ana and located in the parish of Calcasieu, where he has since remained. He 
was married in 1851 to Miss Amy Dennis, a native of Georgia. To them has 
been born one son — John \V. In i860 he again married, selecting as his \\ife 
Mrs. Eran Hay. Nine children have been born to them, six of whom are now 
living: Isabella, Alcide, Onezer, Tebitha, Triphena and Cynthia. In 1862 our 
subject enlisted in the Confederate service, joining Company E, Daly's battalion 
of cavalry. He served until the close of the war. He was only in one serious 
engagement, the battle of Vermilion, but was in a number of skirmishes. x\fter 
the war he returned to Calcasieu parish and engaged in farming and the practice 
of medicine. He has a farm of two hundred acres of tine land, a small portion 
of which he cultivates. He devotes considerable attention to fruit raising. Dr. 
Coley is a member of the I. O. O. F., Chapel Hill Lodge, No. 117. He has always 
been prominent in the order, and has served his lodge as vice grand secretary 
and warden. He has a large professional business, a host of friends, and is one 
of the prominent men of his community. 



JOSEPH COOPER, LoRETTA, Calcasieu Parish. — Joseph Cooper is a 
native of Alabama, born in 1845. His father was a native of South Carolina, 
born in 1819, and here he was reared, educated and married. His vocation was 
that of a farmer. He and wife became the parents of ten children, eight of 
whom are now living. Our subject's grandparents were also natives of South 
Carolina, where they lived and died. ' 

Joseph Cooper removed from Alabama to Texas in 185 1, and to Louisiana 
in 1858. He has since that time given his full attention to farming, in which he 
has done well. He has never married. 



'* CHARLES CARBELLO, Lake Charles.— Charles Carbello is a native 
of Louisiana, born 1845. He is the son of Alphonse and Antoine Carbello, of 
whom mention is made in the sketch of Emilie Carbello. Charles Carbello was 
married in 1871 to Miss Marie Laumreaux. They are the parents of ten chil- 
dren. Mr. Carbello has been a farmer all his life. He has a farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he raises corn, rice and cotton 
and some stock. His farm, located on English Baj-ou, is well improved. Mr. 
Carbello is giving his children the benefit of the best educational advantages. 
He and family are Catholics. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 143 

(/ 

EMILE CORHELLO, Lake Charles. — Eniile Corbello, an extensive and 

prominent planter, living in Ward 3, is a native of Louisiana, born in St. Lan- 
dry parish, June 12, 1837. ^e is the son of Alphonse and Antoine ( Lama- 
reaux ) Corbello. His father was a native of San Antonio, Texas, and his mother 
of Louisiana. Both were of French extraction. To them ten children were 
born, seven sons and three daughters, seven of whom are now livingi the sub- 
ject of this sketch being the oldest child. Alphonse Corbello was a planter and 
stock dealer. He died in Calcasieu parish in 1863, at the age of fift3--three 
years. Our subject's mother died in 1882. Both were members of the Catholic 
church. 

Emile Corbello has devoted his whole life to planting. In 1S63 he enlisted 
in the cavalry seivice, but was soon discharged on account of ill health. He 
returned home and formed a partnership with Davis Reed in the timber and 
rice growing industries. They were engaged in the business for fifteen years. 
Mr. Corbello owns two thousand acres of land, the principal products being 
rice and corn. His plantation is located five miles northeast of Lake 
Charles on Englisli Bayou, He also owns a ferry boat which he controls at 
this place. His plantation is well improved. His residence is one of the hand- 
somest in Calcasieu parish, and his barn and out buildings bespeak the thrift 
and energy of which he is characteristic. He takes an especial pride in the 
raising of a fine breed of horses and cattle. His orchard is a good one, and 
consists of a variety of oranges, peaches, figs, etc. Mr. Corbello was married 
in Lisle county, Texas, 1865, to Miss Anne McQueen, a native of Nashville, 
Tennessee, the daughter of Melvin and Susan Simmons McQueen, natives of 
Tennessee. They emigrated to Texas in 1841, where both Mr. and Mrs. 
McQueen died. Mr. and Mrs. Corbello are the parents of twelve children, 
six sons and six daughters, viz: Mary, John, Ophelia, Amanda, Susan, Sarah, 
William, George, Rosalie, Edward. James died April 18, 1889, at the age of 
sixteen years and six months. He was an unusually bright bo}', and his death 
was a great shock to his parents. * 

'^ JOHN F. CLONEY, Lake Charles.— John F. Cloney was born in St. 
John, Newfoundland, October 14, 1836. He is the son of James and Mary 
(INIurphy) Cloney, natives of Kilkenny and Wickford counties, Ireland, respec- 
tively. They were married in Newfoundland and resided there until 1S49, 
when the}' removed to Prince Edward Island, where they resided until 1870, at 
which time they removed to Yeolu county, California. Here the father died in 
1S74, ^* th^ ^g^ oi eighty- four, and the mother in 1878, at the age of eighty 3-ears. 
James Cloney was a carpenter, and worked at his trade until he moved to Cali- 
fornia, when he gave his attention to farming. He was very successful, and 
before his death he had accumulated quite a fortune. 



141 soi^rnu'EST l ouisiana .■ 

Our subject is tlie oldest of a family of five children now livint^. He 
received liis education in the schools of Newfoundland and Prince Edward 
Island. At the age of fifteen he began work under his father, learning the car- 
penter trade. He subsequently became engaged in a ship3-ard on Prince 
Edward Island, and here became familiar with ship building. He was after- 
ward engaged in the Boston shipyards, and later in New York City. During 
the war he was at Alexandria, working in tlie government j-ards. He was after- 
ward engaged for a short while in Philadelphia and New York. In 1865 he 
came to New Orleans, and was here engaged working for a short period at his 
trade. Later on he engaged in the government shipyards at Galveston, Texas. 
In 1886 he returned to New York City, and afterward to Cincinnati, where he 
remained for a short while, and again went to Galveston, soon after coming to 
this place, where he engaged in ship building. He makes on an average thirty- 
six ships yearly, besides doing an immense amount of repairing, etc. Mr. 
Cloney has seen considerable of the word for one of his age. When a boy 
fourteen years of age he shipped on a fishing excursion to Labrador, going as 
far north as fishermen travel. 
'' Mr. Cloney was married, in 1S71, to Miss Mary Keough, daughter of 
Joseph Keough, a ship carpenter, who learned his trade with the celebrated 
Webb & Bell. He was a soldier in the Florida war aird in the struggle between 
Mexico and the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Cloney are the parents of six 
living children, viz: James, Thomas, Margaret, John, Julia and Agnes. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cloney are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Cloney owns a 
thousand acres of land bordering on Lake Charles, with four miles river front. 
He is extensively engaged in stock raising, and also has a fine orange grove of 

f^^•e hundred trees. * 

* * 

G. W. CORKRAN, Sugartowx. — G, W. Corkran was born in Calcasieu 
parish in 1844. He is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth Corkran, both natives of 
Louisiana. His father was a prominent planter and stock raiser. They are both 
deceased. 

The subject of this sketch has devoted his whole attention since beginning 
business life to planting and stock raising, in which he has prospered. He gives 
special attention to sheep raising. Mr. Corkran was married, in 1873, to Miss 
Mary A. Sleighton. They have no children, but are rearing an adopted 

daughter. * 

* » 

A. L. COLE, West Lake. — Abson L. Cole isanative of Calcasieu parish, 
born in, 1862. His parents were both Louisianians. His father was a successful 
planter. He died in 1865. Our subject's mother is still living. 

Mr. Cole <rrew to manhood and received his education in Calcasieu parish. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 145 

He is now and has been since be^'inning business life a planter and stock raiser. 
He owns a plantation of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, well improved 
and fertile. Mr. Cole married in 1880, and is the father of three children. 



F. R. CURTIS, Thompson.— F. R. Curtis is a native of South Carolina, 
born Juh' 2u, 1S46. He is the son of Dr. Franklin and Maria Boyd (D3'att) 
Curtis, natives of South Carolina and Pennsylvania, respectivel}'. Dr. Curtis 
was a prominent physician and planter. He married in Philadelphia and sub- 
sequently removed to South Carolina, and, later, in 1869, to St. James parish, 
Louisiana, where he resided until his death in 1888. tlis wife died in 1876. 
Both were strict members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Curtis and wife 
were the parents of four children, two of whom are living, viz: Maria L, wife of 
Joseph Wildeson, and the subject of this sketch. 

F. R. Curtis began life for himself at the early age of sixteen years. He 
was first engaged with Mitchell, Bury & Tansy, of St. Louis, in buying grain. 
He was engaged with them for about eighteen months when, in 1869, he re- 
moved to this parish, and in conjunction with his father engaged in sugar plant- 
ing. Subsequent!}' he engaged in the timber business, and in this he has been 
principally engaged since. He now owns two hundred and sixty acres of good 
land in Calcfisieu parish ; he also has the contract for carrying the mail from 
Iowa station to Tliompson post-ofiice. Mr. Curtis has never married. He is 
a gentleman of fine business qualifications. 

* * 

S. L. CARY, Jennings. — S. L. Car}-, Northern Immigration Agent for 
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, was born in Boston, Erie county, New 
York, February, 1827. He is the son of V. R. and' Sophia (Streeter) Cary, 
natives of New York, whence they removed to Freeport, 111., in 1852, where 
Mr. Cary engaged in farming. From that place he removed to Iowa, 1S58, 
locating in Howard county, where he purchased land and farmed for a short 
while. In 1S63 he returned with his wife to Freeport, 111., where he remained 
until his death, 1888. Mrs. Cary died in Cresco, Iowa, 18S7. Both were ac- 
tive members of the Methodist church. 

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of a family of three children. His 
brother, John W., is now a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, and his sister Udoria, 
wife of H. C. Vanlouven, editor of the Vidette; of Spring Valley, Minn. The 
subject of our sketch received a good business education, and at the age of 
twenty-one he began a mercantile business in Chautauqua county, New York. 
He was here engaged for four years. He married, at the age of twenty-two. 
Miss Sally J. Medberry, daughter of David J. Medberry, of New York. They 
became the parents of one son and one daughter. Both died in infancy. In 



110 SOCT/fU'EST LGLVSfANA: 

1S53 Mr. Gary sold his mercantile interests in New York and removed to Free- 
port, 111., where he engaged in farming and clerking until 1856, when he went 
to Forest City, Iowa,- and resumed the mercantile business. Here he remained 
until 18S3, when he removed to Jennings, La., and took a homestead and tree 
claim where the town of Jennings is now situated. He now owns fifteen hun- 
dred acres of land near this place, three hundred of which are improved and 
one hundred cultivated in rice. He has been Northern Immigration Agent for 
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, with an office at Manchester, Iowa, for 
several years. Mr. Cary had charge of the two exhibits at Sioux City Corn 
Palace, Sioux City, Iowa. He is now doing all in his power to get up a credita- 
ble exhibition of Louisiana products for the World's Exposition at Chicago, 
Mr. Cary has been instrumental in inducing much of the immigration to this 
place, and has been known as the Joshua of the Iowa colony, he being the first 
Northern settler in this location, where there are now ten thousand people, 
nearl}' all from the North. Mr. Cary's first wife died in Freeport, 111., 1S53. 
He afterward married Clara F. Daniels, of Dearborn, Mich., by whom he has 
had five children, four sons and one daughter. 



WILLIAM CARY, Jennings. — William Cary, editor of the Jennings Re- 
porter, was born in Knox county, Ohio, February 2, 1833. He "is the son of 
Daniel M. and Darcus (Price) Cary, the former a native of New Jersey, the 
latter of Pennsylvania. Daniel M. Car}- removed to Ohio earl}- in life, and in 
1853 to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming. He died in 1879. four months 
after the death of his wife. 

William Cary is the eldest of a family of eight children, five boys and three 
girls. He received a good common school education, and began business life 
on a farm. In 1887 he removed to Jennings, Louisiana, where he engaged in 
real estate and land agency for two years. In January, 1S89, he founded the 
Jennings Reporter, the only paper published in the place. It is principally de- 
voted to the advancement of Southwest Louisiana, and Calcasieu parish in partic- 
ular. The paper has met with a hearty reception, and under its able manage 
ment it is destined to become a power for the accomplishment of much good. 
In politics it is Republican, though not partisan. Mr. Cary was married, in 1856. 
to Miss Lucy E. O'Hara, daughter of Major O'Hara, of Chockton. Ohio. To 
this union there have been born five sons: Eldridge. Francis P., Charles A., 
Wilford P. and Walter E. The first marriage of Mr. Cary being unpleasant, it 
was dissolved by divorce in 1887. Mr. Cary was afterward married, in 1890, to 
Miss Mary C. Kistner, daughter of Charles Kistner, proprietor of the Kistner 
Hotel, of Jennings, La. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 147 

ISAIAH DRURY, Wklsh. — Isaiah Drury was born ia Indiana, July, 
1S27. He is tlie son of Isaac and Hannah (Reese) Drury, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. Isaac Drury removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1S38, where 
he bought land and engaged in farming. Later he removed to Putnam county, 
Missouri, where he was also engaged in farming until his death, in 1870. His 
wife died at the same place in 1875. 

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of a family of five brothers and four 
sisters, viz: William, Jesse R., Paris, James M., Celica, wife of David DutTield, 
of Illinois; Sarah J., wife of James Robbins ; Emilie, wife of James Boner; 
Vashti, wife of Mr. Campbell, of Putnam county, Missouri. Mrs. Duflield is 
deceased. Until 1885 Isaiah Drury was a farmer in Marshall county, Iowa. In 
this year he removed to Calcasieu parish, Louisiana, where he purchased three 
hundred and twenty acres of land, seventy of which are under cultivation. He 
raises on his farm a variety of products, and by industry and careful management 
Mr. Drury has been ver}' successful. 

He was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret J. Leech. To this union have 
been born six sons and three daughters, viz: Samuel, now a resident of Iowa; 
Reese, of Iowa : Albert, of Iowa, and William, of Lafayette, Nebraska; Manala, 
wife of James Daughtery, of Iowa; Ella N., wife of John Cline, of this parish; 
Clara, of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mrs. Drury died in 1880 in Marshall 
county, Iowa, and Mr. Drury afterward married Mrs. Marv A. Cline, a native 
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Drury is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

THOMAS P. DAVIES, Jennings.— Thomas P. Davies was born in Wales, 
October 25, 1817. He is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Price) Davies, both 
natives of Wales, where they both resided until the time of their death. The 
father died in 1841 and the mother in 1867. 

Thomas P. Davies is one of a familjr of seven children, viz: our subject; 
John (deceased), Reese, Anne (deceased), Betsy (deceased), Mary (deceased). 
Mr. Davies came to America in 1835, landing in New Orleans December 10. 
He was here engaged in a commission business for three years, the first year in 
partnership with Nathan Smith. After this he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
worked in the mayor's (Col. Samuel Davies) office for five years. From there, 
in 1843, he went to Wisconsin, where he engaged in merchandising in the town 
of Janesville for three years. While here he married, in 1847, Mrs. Maria J. G. 
Grandy, born in 181S, widow of Horton Grandy and daughter of Dr. Leonard 
Gibbs, of New York. While in Wisconsin Mr. Davies was for a time justice 
of the peace. He removed to Iowa in 1856, where he became commissioner of 
State lands and notary public. In 1883 he removed from Iowa to Jennings, 
where he now resides. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of land, twenty- 
five being within the corporate limits of the town, well improved and with good 



14S SOUT/IWEST LOUISIANA: 

orchaids. Mr. Davies at present is doing a large real estate business. Both he 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

» » 

J. V. DUIION, Lake Charlics. — J. V. Duhon is a native of Calcasieu . 
parish, Louisiana, born in 1S44. He is the son of C. and A. Duhon, both 
natives of this State. His father was a planter and stock raiser. He was 
reared, married, and spent his whole life in Calcasieu parish. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Calcasieu parish, and 
received his education in the schools of this place. In 1862 he entered the Con- 
federate service and enlisted in company A, Eighteenth Louisiana Regiment, in 
which he served until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Mansfield, 
besides numerous other hotly contested engagements. At the close of the war 
lie returned home and engaged in farming. In 1869 he married INIiss Eliza 
Benoit, a native of Louisiana, they having become the parents of twelve children, 
eight of whom are living. i\Ir. Duhon is one of the successful planters and stock 
raisers of this section; heownsfrom twelve to fifteen hundred acres of land — only a 
portion of which is under cultivation. He raises principal!}- stock. He has recently 
become interested in a saw-mill in partnership with Mr. E. H. Burleson, whose 
sketch appears in this work. Mr. Duhon also carries a general stock of merchan- 
dise in connection with the mill in which lie is interested. He is a prosperous 

business man. , 

* * 

ELLY H. DEES, Lake Charles. — Elly H. Dees, dealer in real estate 
and fire insurance, was born in Jackson county, Mississippi, October i, 
1863. He is the son of Calvin E. and Marj- C. (Tippin) Dees. Calvin Dees 
died when our subject was four 3'ears of age. His mother has just recently 
died. Calvin E. Dees was engaged in saw-milling for manj- years. Tiie subject 
of this sketch was the j^oungest of a large family. He receiv^ed his education 
chiefly in Jackson county, Mississippi, and later took a commercial course at 
Soule's Commercial College in New Orleans, from which institution he grad- 
uated in 1880. After leaving school he removed to Mobile count}^ Alabama, 
where he was for some time engaged with his brother in a saw-mill and timber 
business. After having remained there for a short while, he came to Lake 
Charles and became a book-keeper for L. C. Dees & Co., op*!rators of a large 
saw-mill at this place. Two 3-ears later he embarked in the liver\- business, in 
which he continued for two years. After this he took a course in short-hand, 
type-writing and telegraphy. Returning to Lake Charles, he was for a short 
time engaged as book-keeper for D. Block & Bro. He was appointed deputy 
sheriff and tax collector in 1885, and served in this capacit}^ until 1888. 
Since that time he has been engaged as deputy tax collector, which office he 
has recently resigned. In 1890 he formed a partnership with Joseph C. Gibbs 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 149 

in real estate and insurance agency, and llie business of this firm has assumed 

such proportions that Mr. Dees gives liis whole attention to it. He was married 

March 2, 1887, to Miss Lottie Mayo, daughter of Thad. Mayo. They are the 

parents of one child, Laura C. Mr. Dees was secretary of the F. and A. M. 

Lodge at this place in 1S90. He is also a member of the K. of P. 

• 
» » 

'' EDWARD ESCOUBAS, Sugartowx, Calcasieu Parish.— Edward 
Escoubas, a planter and merchant of Sugartown, is a native of Calcasieu parish, 
born February 8, 1S52. He is the son of Adolph and Mar}' (Rigmaider) 
Escoubas. His father was a native of France, born 1832, and his mother of 
Louisiana, born 1835. Adolph Escoubas came to this parish in 1842 ; he is now 
a prosperous planter, hotel keeper and liveryman of West Lake Charles. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Calcasieu parish and 
began life as a planter, to which he has since given his full attention, until 18S5, 
when he opened a general mercantile store at Sugartown. Mr. Escoubas is an 
energetic business man and his business undertaking has proven a success. He 
was married, in this parish in 1870, to Miss Heps}', daughter of Maranda and 
Lydia (Foreman) Perkins. They are the parents of seven children, two sons 
and five daughters, six of whom are living, viz: Ebenezer, Livonia, Delphine, 
Lvdia, Emma, Ray, Adolph (deceased). 

* 

LEWIS C. FOSTER, Edgerlv. — Lewis C. Foster was born in Texas in 
1S53. He came to Louisiana with his parents when about five 3ears of age. 
Here he received his education in the common schools of the parish, and, when 
a young man, began farming. His father was a native of Ohio and removed to 
Texas early in life, and from there to Louisiana, where he resided at the time of 
his death, in 1878. He was one of the most prosperous planters of this parish, 
a man of benevolence and public spirit, revered hy all who knew him. Our 
subject's mother is a native of Georgia. She is yet living and is a resident of 
this State. 

Lewis C. Foster has been fairly successful in his chosen vocation, and is 
one of Calcasieu's promising farmers. Mr. Foster was married, in 1883, to 
Miss Adelia Perkins. They are the parents of four children. 

GEORGE W. FOSTER, Pine Hill.— George W. Foster is a native of 
Texas, born 1847. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of Georgia. 
They were married in Newton county, Texas. His father was engaged in farm- 
ing and lumbering. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in Texas, and began life 
as a farmer. He is now a successful planter and stock raiser of this parish. 



150 SO UTH WEST L O UISIA NA : 

During the civil war iMr. Foster served for a short period in the Home Corps, 
but was never in active service. He was married, May 21, 1871, to Miss Orinda 
Isabelle Coehren. They are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are liv- 
ing. Mr. Foster is a member of tlie Missionary Baptist church. Both he and 
wife are members of the Farmers' Alliance, Millertown Lodge. 

* 

* * 

ULYSSE FRUGE, Lake Charles. — Mr. Fruge is a native of Louisiana, 
born August 7, 1842. He is the son of Lastie and Arsene (Fusilier) Fruge, 
both natives of Louisiana, the former born in 1805, and the latter in 1811. 
Lastie Fruge was a prosperous stock dealer and planter. He married in St. 
Landr}' parish in 1826. To this union sixteen children were l^orn, eight sons 
and eight daughters, of whom six are now living, viz : Lastie, H. L., Clara, wife 
of Andrew Jackson; Mary, wife of H. L. Harold; Ultimer, wife of John 
Dunavent. The father died in 1882, and the mother in 1S53. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native parisli. He 
began. life as a planter, to which he has given his attention since that time. He 
was married in 1S67 to Miss Emilie Corbello, a native of Louisiana. They are 
the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. During the 
late war Mr. Fruge served in Company F, Eighth Louisiana Regiment, in which 
he enlisted in the beginning. He was in the battles of Port Royal, First 
IManassas, Charleston, Middletown, Winchester, Port RepubHc, Seven Days' 
Fight around Richmond, and the battle at Fredericksburg. He was captured on 
the Rappahannock and was taken prisoner to Point Lookout, where he was con- 
fined for four months, when he was exchanged. He then returned to Richmond, 
where he was granted a furlough for sixty days. He returned home, and before 
the expiration of the furlough the war closed. Mr. Fruge has been quite suc- 
cessful as a planter. His place consists of two hundred acres, well cultivated 
and under good improvement. , 

DENNIS M. FOSTER, Lake Charles.— Dennis I\L Foster, post-master 
of Lake Charles, -was born in Summerset county, Maine, Januar}' 23, 1S44. 
He is the son of Daniel and Lucy Foster. D. M. Foster was educated in 
Alton, Maine. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the United States service. Com- 
pany A, Twentieth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, as a private. He was after- 
ward promoted to captain of the Eighty-First United States Colored Regiment 
and brevet major of United States Volunteers. He pardcipated in the battles 
at South Mountain, Antietam, Sharpsburg, Ball's Bluff, Shepardstown Ford, 
Fredericksburg and the siege of Port Hudson. At the close of the war he war 
he was in New Orleans. Shortly afterward he began a mercantile business at 
Gretna, Louisiana, in which he continued one year. Soon after he went to 
Pointe Coupee parish, and was occupied in cotton planting during the year 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 151 

1S67, when all his properly being destro\-ed by overflow, he removed from there 
in 1869 and came to Lake Charles. Here he engaged in the timber business on 
the Calcasieu River, in which he has been interested more or less until recently. 
For the past few years he has given his attention to mercantile business at this 
place. In 1890 he was appointed post-master at Lake Charles. Mr. Foster was 
married in 1865 to Miss Martha B. Shattuck, daughter of Benj. T. Shattuck. 
To them nine children have been born, seven sons and two daughters, six of 
whom are living. ^ 

* « 

(^ REUBEN FLANAGAN GRAY, M. D., Lake Charles.— Dr. Reuben 
F. Gray was born in Abbeville district. South Carolina, August 12, iSii. He 
received the benefit of a thorough collegiate education, and was a graduate of 
tiie University of Maryland, Baltimore. After completing his literary education 

I he studied medicine under Dr. Geddings. Later he pursued a course in med- 
icine at the medical college in Philadelphia, where he received his degree. He 
was married in South Carolina, in 1S39, '^° Miss F. C. Chiles, a native of that 

1 State. In 1857 he removed to Bienville parish, Louisiana, and there remained 
uptil 1867, at which time he removed to St. Landry parish, and two years later 
to Lake Charles, where lie was at the time of his death. In 1867 Dr. Gray 
made a visit to British and Spanish Honduras, where he remained several 
months during the cholera scourge of "67, administering to those who needed 
his services. He had three sons in the Confederate service. While in South 

> Carolina Dr. Gray acquired a brilliant reputation as a physician and surgeon. 

I After locating in Lake Charles he practised his profession here until within a 
few months of his death, when age and failing health compelled Iiim to suspend 
the active labors of his long and useful life. Few names in Louisiana are more 
w idely known or will be more gratefull}- remembered than Dr. Gra}''s. With 
a mind vigorous and highly cultivated, he joined superior skill and great expe- 
rience in the medical .profession, and to these he added a most kindl}" and 
generous disposition, and a heart throbbing with benevolent and charitable 
impulses. When suffering humanity came his way he never passed b}' on the 
other side: and the fact that a sufferer was poor and friendless was a guarantee 
that he might rel_v on Dr. Gray for his sympathy and relief. He has been 
known, in Lake Charles, to take a sick railroad laborer from the roadside to his 
own house and give him a room, to the serious inconvenience of his own famity, 
and to minister to his wants for weeks until health was full}' restored, of course 
without a hope of other compensation than the gratitude of the sufferer. Before 
the war his eminent skill and reputation in his profession gave him a practice so 
highl\- lucrative that, notwithstanding his large charity practice and his indispo- 
sition to ask any one for payment of his services, he was enabled to surround 
himself and his large family with the appliances of ease and comfort. Like 



152 SOL'J'inVEST LOriSIANA: 

thousands of others he lost all his means b)' the war, and the exhausting- labors 
of many years left him ill prepared to renew life's battles. His kindly dispo- 
sition was not, however, soured by his reverses, and he quietly took, up and 
bravely carried the heavy burdens of an active physician's life until exhausted 
nature could carr\- them no further. 

* * 
^ JOHN G. GRAY, Lake Chari.es.— John G. Gray is a native of Winston 
countv, Mississippi, born February 8, 1849. He is the son of Dr. Keuben F. 
Gray, whose sketch appears above. He was reared in Bienville parish, Louis- 
iana, and received his primary education in that parish. He subsequenth'^ 
attended Soule's Commercial College at New Orleans, from which institution 
he graduated. When but a boy he took charge of his father's plantation, which 
he continued to operate until the death of his father. After leaving the planta- 
tion he embarked in the mercantile business, lumber, and saw-milling in all its 
branches, including steamboating on the Calcasieu River. He is a practical 
surveyor, and has for many years been connected with the land bureau. Since 
he has been living in Lake Charles he has tilled the unexpired term of clerk of 
the district court in Calcasieu parish ; besides which he has occupied several 
positions of trust with credit. Mr. Gra}' is a successful business man, and has 
accumulated considerable property. He owns a plantation in Calcasieu parish 
of over seven thousand acres of land; besides land which he owns in other 
parishes. He is a Royal Arch Mason, member of Chapter 32, also a member 
of the Lake Charles Lodge, No. 165. He was married, June 7, 1880, to Miss 
Mary Kirkman, of Lake Charles. They are the parents of four children, viz: 
William Kirkman, Mabel AL. Henry, John G., Jr. 

» » 
JOSEPH C. GIBBS, Lake Charles.— Joseph C. Gibbs, the lately de- 
ceased attorney of the Fourteenth Judicial District, was born in Opelousas, Lou- 
isiana, and died in Lake Charles, December 3, 1890, at the age of thirt3--four 
years. Mr. Gibbs was admitted to the bar in July, 1884, and practised in Ope- 
lousas for a short while, when he located in Lake Charles and formed a partner- 
ship with Judge Kearney. After Judge Kearney's death Mr. Gibbs was ap- 
pointed district attorney to fill the unexpired term. He was afterward elected to 
fill the same position, and was one of the most popular attorneys who has ever 
occupied that responsible position. His death at such an untimely age was a great 
shock to his numerous friends, and was sincerely regretted by all who knew him. 

» * 
*^ A. M. GAUTHIER, Jennings.- A. RL Gauthier, planter, was born and 
reared in St. Martin parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Charles and ALu-celite 
''Cormier) Gauthier. diaries Gauthier is a native of New York, but removed 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 155 

with his parents to New Orleans when ten j-ears of age. He became a prosper- 
ous planter in St. Martin parish, where he died, at the age of eighty-four years, 
in 187S. The mother of our subject was a native of Louisiana. She died in 

1844- _ _ . . ■. 

The subject of this sketch, at the age of sixteen years, in i86r, enlisted in 
the Confederate States service, New Orleans Defenders, and was in active ser- 
vice. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Baton Rouge, siege of Port 
Hudson and Mansfield. At Port Hudson he was taken prisoner and was con- 
fined for nine months, after which he returned home. It was not long before he 
again entered service, where he remained until the close of the war. He then 
returned to St. Martin parish, and in December, 1865, he married Miss Mary 
T. Andrus, daughter of Hiram and Lazeme (Guidry) x\ndrus, natives of Louis- 
iana. Mr. Gauthier removed, in 1869, to Calcasieu parish, where he purchased 
land, and he has given his chief attention since to planting. He has a good 
farm at this place of eight hundred acres, one hundred and fifty of whicli he 
cultivates, principally in rice. He and his wife are the parents of ten cliildren, 
sc\en of whom 'are now living: Orelien, Aurelia, AngelinCvCornelius, Valerie, 
Overton and Edward B. Mr. and Mrs. Gauthier are members of the Catholic 
church. ^ 

^ JOSEPH GOODMAN, Lake Charles.— Joseph Goodman is a native of 
Germany, born February 15, 1829. He is the son of A. and Francisca (Consel- 
mon) Goodwin, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father was a car- 
penter, and worked at his trade in Germany, where he and our subject's motl-.er 
both died. 

The subject of this sketch came to America in 1S53, and settled in Halifax. 
From there he removed to St. Joe, British America, and from the last place to 
Boston, Massachusetts, and later still to New York. He was afterward located lor 
a short while at St. Louis, Missouri, and Lawrence, Kansas. He came to New 
Orleans in 1856, where he remained until 1S58, w'hen he located in Lake Charles, 
and here he has resided since that time. Mr. Goodman was married, in 186S, 
to Catherine Hubert, a native of Germany. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren: Daniel, Julius and Rudolph. Mr. Goodman served during the latter part 
of the Civil War in the artillery service. Since his return from the War he has 
given his attention exclusively to planting. He owns a good plantation, where 
he resides, and on which he raises rice and corn principallv- He also has an 
orange grove of one hundred and fifty trees, besides other fruit trees. ]\Ir. Good- 
man and wife are members of the Catholic church. 

* * 
REV. IL GELLERT, Jennings.— Rev. H. Gellert is a native of Ger- 
many, born April 27, 1S51. His father. Edward Gellert, was also a native of 
lOii 



156 SOUTIIW EST L OVISIAXA : 

Germany, wliere lie died in 1855. Our subjecl's motlier came to Louisiana and 
resided near Jennings until her death. 

Rev. II Geliert came to New Orleans in 1871. He was educated in 
Germany, where he pursued a theological course. He also received a medi- 
cal education in German\-. After a few j'cars of ministerial work he began 
in addition to this Ihe praciice of medicine. He resided in New Orleans until 
1874. ^O'^' two jears preeeding 1S74 he was engaged in ministeriiil labors 
in Pittsburg, Penns\lvania. For eight j'ears following he devoted himself to 
the same kind of work at Newport, Kentuckj-. During tliis time he was mar- 
ried to Miss Anna Indretrant, of Newport. From Newport he was called to 
Dayton, Ohio, under appointment as chaplain of the National Soldiers' Home 
at tliis place. He was appointed in 18S5 by the Educational Board of Managers 
at Washington. He served in this capacity for three years, and received a letter 
of the highest commendation from those in charge of the Soldiers' Home, and 
from his congregation. His partialitj- to Louisiana as place of residence caused 
him to return to this State, and he is now engaged in his clerical duties in Jen- 
nings, Crowley, and^many German congregation in the adjoining parishes. Mr. 
Gellen's ministerial labors are all gratis. He receives his income from the prac- 
tice of medicine and the rents from his plantations, eleven in number, aggregat- 
ing se^en thousand acres, upon which he has tenants, who, this year, raised over 
three thousand sacks of rice, and he expects to double the increase in the future. 



T. E. GEORGE, Lake Charles.— T. E. George, of the firm of George 
& Swift, was born in.Springfield, Limestone county, Texas, October 18, 1859. 
He is tlie son of Edgar B. George and Susan Aurelia Sorrelle, natives of Missis- 
sippi and Penns3-lvania, respective!}'. Edgar B. George was admitted to the bar 
at iNIobile, Alabama, and later in life moved to Marshall, Texas, at which place 
lie pursued his vocation with marked success. He subsequently located in 
Springfield, and through an unfortunate accident met his death in 1859. 

The subject of this sketch after reaching the age of ten had no advantages 
of school, and his success later in life is to be attributed solely to his own exer- 
tions. When fourteen he began work in the saw-mills of Orange, Texas, where 
he remained from 1872 to 1883. In 1885 he moved to Lake Charles and formed 
a partnership with D. R. Swift, at which place they engaged in the liver}' busi- 
ness on a small scale, opening in connection therewith a blacksmith shop, and 
their present large business is the outgrowth of this humble beginning. Mr. 
George is a llioroughl)' progressive citizen, and is never found wanting in an}- 
thing that tends to the material advantage of his section. He has served two 
terms as member of the city council. In 18S3 he married Miss Mollie E. Price, 
of Calvert, Texas. The mother of our subject still resides in Orange, Texas. 



HISTORICAL AXn BIOGRAPHICAL. 157 

^ W. H. HASKELL, Lake Charles-. — William Haskell, who was born in 
England, 1617, and removed with his two brothers to Beverly, Massachusetts, 
1632, and from thence to Gloucester, Massachusetts, 1643, where he died in 
1693, is the ancestor from which the whole famih- is descended. Our subject's 
mother is still livingin Boston, Massachusetts, being ninet3--four years of age. 

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of seven children. He spent his 
school days in Newburyport, and the last year in Winthrop, Maine, receiving a 
thorough academic education. When seventeen years of age he left school and 
went to sea. He gradually rose from sailor to commander of vessels, and visited 
ports in Europe, South America and tlie W\'stLidies. In 1848 he settled in New 
Orleans (having abandoned seafaring life) and went into business. In 1851 he 
went to Lake Charles, and, finaH\-, in 1852, settled there, where he has resided 
ever since. In 1855 he was elected recorder and notary and held that office 
several years. At tire breaking out of the war he was engaged as a saw-mill 
hand. He was in tl^e Confederate service for a short time, and was honorably 
discharged, when General Butler captured New Orleans, b}- the breaking up of 
the battalion to which he was attached as quartermaster, and returned home, 
\\here he soon after received the appointment of deput}' collector of customs for 
the district of the Teche, which office he held, together with deputy Confeder- 
ate marshal for said district, until the close of the war. After the war he resumed 
operation as a saw-mill hand for a short time, when he received the appointment 
cf parish recorder and notary ex-officio, in which capacity he served several 
\'ears. In 1869 he was sent to the Legislature from the parish, and served one 
term. In 1872 he was appointed sheriff of the parish, which office he held for 
two years. In 1874 '^^ ^^"^^ again appointed deputy- collector of customs for the 
district of the Teche, which office he held two j^ears. In 1876, accompanied by 
all his famil\- except Frank E. and Hallie L., Mr. Haskell returned to his native 
home on a visit, it having been twenty-six j-ears since his last visit. 

He subsequently, in 1879, engaged as hotel proprietor, in which business he 
continued about three years. After that, for a period of several years, he was 
not engaged in any business. 

He again, in company' with Ids wife, in 1885, visited his native home, and in 
1886 visited California and New Mexico. In 1888 he engaged in the real estate 
business, and in 1890 added the business of insurance agency, in which business 

he is still engaged. , 

* « 

'^ A. P. HEBERT, Lake Arthur. —A. P. Htbert was born in Calcasieu 
parish. Louisiana, April, 1838. He is the son of Placide and Evelyn (Richard) 
Hebert, both natives of Louisiana. Placide Hebert was a planter all his life. 
He died, in 1884, on his farm near Lake Arthur. His widow still sur^•ives liim 
and is seventy-seven years of age. 



158 SOUTHIVEST L OUJSIANA : 

A. P. Hebert is one of a family of three children. His sisters, Louisa, wife 
of Telesphore Landry, and Hortense, wife of D. Derouen, both reside in Cal- 
casieu parish. Mr. Hebert has been chiefly engaged in farming and stock 
raising, though for the last two years he has been in charge of a store at Lake 
Arthur for the firm of Derouen & Andrus. He owns a farm near Lake Arthur, 
which he operates chiefly as a stock farm. Mr. Hebert served during the latter 
part of the late war, his field of duty being Texas. He was married, in 1867, 
to Charlotte Lacour, of Vermilion parish. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren, two sons and one daughter — Arthur, Cora, Jules. 

* * 
V PIERRE A. HEBERT, Welsh P. O.— Pierre A. Hebert was born in 
Assumption parish, Louisiana, June 28, 1828. He is a son of Eli and Azeli 
(Pytre) Hebert, both natives of Louisiana. They had born to them six children, 
three sons and three daughters, three of whom are living. Eli Hebert was a 
successful planter. ' He died in 1844 and his wife in 1S78. 

Pierre A. Hebert is one of the pioneer planters of Calcasieu parish. Tq 
ai;ricultural matters he has given his attention all his Hfe. His plantation con- 
sists of three hundred and twentjr acres of land, well improved and with a good 
orchard. Mr. Hebert was married, in 1855, to Miss Melina Robichot, a native 
of Louisiana, born 1828. Two children have been born to this union: Domi- 
thilde, wife of Alfred Bourgouis, and Octavie, wife of O. A. Roussond. 

* 

"^ DOSSILEE H. HEBERT, Iowa Station.— D. H. Hebert, a successful 
planter of Ward 3, is a native of Louisiana, born June 4, 1844. He is the 
son of Laslie and Lucy (Augustine) Hebert, natives of Louisiana. His 
father was a planter, and was reared, married and spent his whole life in Cal- 
casieu parish. There were born to this union ten children, four sons and six- 
daughters, seven of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch- being the 
oldest son. Lastie Hebert was a soldier in the late war, serving from 1S61 until 
the time of his death in 1864. His widow still survives him, and now resides 
with her daughter, Mrs. Alice Lazie. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native parish. He 
was married in 1865 to Miss Mary Haze, who died in 1S83, having become the 
mother of eight children, viz': Leoneze, Adam, Daniel, Michael, Margaret, James. 
Mr. Hebert, in 1861, enlisted in Company B, Twenty-eighth Louisiana Regiment, 
serving until the close of the war. When the war was over he returned home 
and engaged in planting. He is considered one of the most successful planters 
of his neighborhood, ;\nd owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hun- 
dred and thirty of which are under cultivation . The principal products of his 
plantation are rice and sweet potatoes. His farm is located fifteen miles northeast 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPIITCAL. 15<1 

of Lake Charles and fiv^e miles north of Iowa Station. It is well improved and 
bears evidence of good management. Mr. Hebert is a public-spirited man, and 
is foi^most in all efforts that tend to the promotion of his section. In 1883 he 
married a second time, Miss Eliza Mither ; to this union have been born four 
children, Amelia, Mar}' D., David, Paul. Mr. Hebert is giving to each of his 
children a good, practical, business education. 

D. HKBERT, L.\ke Arthur. — D. Hebert was born October, 1S36, near 
where he resides. He is the son of Alexander and Clarisse (Broussard) Hebert, 
natives of what was then Lafaj'^ette parish, Louisiana. The Hebert famih- is 
purely of French extraction. Alexander Hebert was one of the first settlers of 
Calcasieu parish, having located there when a young man. He was a large land 
holder and an extensive stock raiser; he died August, 1865, his widow surviving 
him until December, 1890, being eiglit}'-six years of age at the time of her death. 
Tiie\- reared a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, only three 
of wiiom are' now living, tlie subject of this sketch and two daughters, viz: 
Aspasie, wife of Napoleon Broussard, and Carmelite, wife of Gustave Laurent. 

D. Hebert owns over six tliousand acres of land in this section and gives 
his attention chiefly to stock dealing. During the late war Mr. Hebert was on 
duty in Texas, from 1862 until its close. Mr. Hebert is a liberal contributor to 
all laudable enterprises. He is a progressive and a good business man. He 
has twice married, his first wife was Miss Euphemie Hebert, whom he married 
in 1S62. Mrs. Hebert died in 1890, and Mr. Hebert afterward married Miss 
Osite Ledoux, of this parish. ^ 

U WILLIAM L. HUTCHINS, Lake Charles.— William L. Hutchins, 
treasurer of Calcasieu parish, and a prominent merchant of Lake Cliarles, was 
born in St. Martin parish, Louisiana, September 19, 1844. He is the son of 
William and Eulalie D. (Autreuil) Hutchins, the former a native of St. Landry, 
and the latter of St. Martin parish, Louisiana. They removed to Lake 
Charles in 185S, where Wm. Hutchins died in 1865, his widow surviving him 
until 1890. 

William Hutchins was a journalist, and was editor of the first paper published 
in Calcasieu parish — The Calcasieu Gazette. During the war he was parish 
recorder. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of St. 
Martin parish, and learned the printer's trade with his father, with whom he 
he was afterward engaged in publishing the Gazette at this place. At the 
breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company K, Tenth Louisiana Infantry, 
in which he served until discharged in 1862. In June of the same year he 
joined Company A, Second Louisiana Cavalry, in which he served three years, 



ICO sory-jJU'EST Lor/syAAA .■ 

when he was transferred to the marine department, on llie vessel "Wave," 
wliich the Confederate government had captured. He was afterward trans- 
ferred to the steamer "Cora," which was captured by the Federal gun-boat 
"Quaker City," between Rio Grande and Point Isabelle. He was made 
prisoner and taken to New Orleans. He was subsequently engaged in the battle 
at Franklin, Louisiana, where he was made prisoner and sent to New Orleans 
and remanded to prison. After remaining there for six months lie made iiis 
escape by boring a hole through the brick wall of the piison and made his way 
to Bayou Sara, on the steamer "Empii-e Parish" as a deck hand. From there 
he went to Tunica Landing, where he crossed the river and made his way 
through the Atchafalaya Swamps to Morgan's Ferry. From there he went to 
WashingtOH, Louisiana, thence home, 'on board the gunboat previously men- 
tioned. At the close of the war, Mr. Hutchins was engaged as salesman in 
a mercantile house at Lake Charles for a period of ten years. He afterward 
became the partner of James Munn in large saw-milling interests at this place. 
This partnership was subsequently dissolved, and, in partnership with Mr. John 
W. O'Neil, continued business for eleven years in the neighborhood of Lake 
Cliarles. Several years since he sold his milling interests and opened a mer- 
cantile business in Lake Charles. In 1873 he was appointed treasurer of the 
parish of Calcasieu, and in this capacity he has served since that time. Prob- 
ably no other man in the State has held this office for a similar length of time. 
Mr. Hutchins was married, in 1865, to Miss Eugenia Reid, daughter of D. J. 
Reid. She died in 1880, having become the mother of nine children, seven of 
whom are living, three sons and four daughters. In 1883 Mr. Hutchins married 
again. Miss Lizzie M. Hennington, of Mississippi. They are the parents of 
three children, one son and two daughters. Mr. Hutchinson is Vice Chancel- 
lor of the K. of P. organization of this place. 

» 

CAPT. THOMAS HANSEN, Lake Charles.— Capt. Thomas Hansen, 
the proprietor of a large shingle manufactory of Lake Charles, was born in Hol- 
stein, Prussia (then Denmark), November 12, 1831. He was educated in Hol- 
stein, where he learned ship building. When twenty years of age he came to 
New Orleans, where he worked at his trade until the opening of the war. During 
this period he was engaged in the Confederate States service in building gun-boats. 
He was m New Orleans when it was taken possession of by Federal troops, 
on which event he went to Me.xico, and was located at Matamoros when the war 
closed. He was afterward the owner and master of a schooner, which plied 
between the Mississippi and Mexico. While master of this schooner, Capt. 
Hansen penetrated all the bayous, bays and rivers of Southwest Louisiana. In 
1867 he located at Lake Charles, where he continued in ship building. In 1SS2, 
in partnershi]) with Jacol:) Ryan, he erected a shingle manufactory at Lake 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. IHI 

Charles, wliicli he lias operated since that time. This mill has a capacit}- for 
the manuf;icture of seventy thousand shingles per day. The timher from wliich 
they are manufactured is obtained from cypress swamps, and rafted down the 
Calcasieu River to Lake Charles. The business has grown until the firm lia/e 
a large demand from different sections of the country for their shingles. Capt. 
Hansen was married, in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Peetz, a native of Denmark, but 
at the time a resident of New Orleans. The}^ became the parents of five chil- 
dren, three sons and two daughters. Capt. Hansen has been several times a 
member of the town council, and takes an active part in municipal and parish 
affairs. He is a Mason and a K. of H. 



A. P. HEWETT, Welsh.— A. P. Hewett, planter, was born in Ohio, No- 
vember, 1S39. H*^ '^ ^'^^ ^0" o^ Charles and Philoxana (Parker) Hewett, 
natives of New York. They reared a family of seven children, five sons and 
two daughters: Ira C, deceased; Charles C, Coryden, A. P., subject of this 
sketch; William H. H., deceased; Sally J., deceased, and Clarissa, deceased. 
Charles Hewett, with his family, removed from New York to Ohio at an early 
day, where he engaged in farming. Thence he removed to Wisconsin, in 1S43, 
where he died in i860. The mother of our subject died in 1862. 

The subject of this sketch received his schooling in Ohio and Wisconsin. 
He enlisted in the United States army in 1861, Third Wisconsin Infantry, under 
Col. Hamilton, and was assigned to service in Virginia and Maryland. He only 
served for one year, being discharged owing to disability. Mr. Hewetf, when 
young, learned the trade of carpenter and wheelwright, which occupation he fol- 
lowed in Minnesota and Wisconsin. After the war he located in Hovyard county, 
Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade for a number of years. He came 
to Calcasieu parish, Louisiana, in 1887, and engaged in farming. His farm 
consists of four hundred acres of land, seventy-five of which are under cultiva- 
tion and well improved. He raises a variety of products, principally rice and 
corn. Mr. Hewett is a member both of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraterni- 
ties. He was married in Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Kate Knowlton, of New 
York. To them have been born seven children, three sons and four daughters: 
•Frank, Ada (deceased), Edith, wife of John White, of Minnesota; Nettie A., 
Charles, Lulu (deceased) and Harry (deceased). 

« 

* * 

^ CAPT. GREEN HALL, Lake Charles. — Capt. Green Hall died 
November 18, 1890, at the age of fifty-five j^ears. He was born on the Teche, 
in Terrebonne parish. Louisiana. His father, John Hall, was a native of Ireland, 
reared and mairied there. He came to Louisiana when comparatively a young 
man and followed the trade of. blacksmith. 



u>-2 sorvv/ii Bsy /. oc/sy.i.y.i .■ 

Capt. Green Hall was hut a boy when his parents died. He was reared 
in Hamilton, Louisiana, wliere he received a common school education. 
When quite young he began steamboating, and was for some time captain of the 
steamboat Elephant, on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Before the war he 
went to Texas and was engaged in steamboating on the Trinity River. He 
was here at the breaking out of the war, and in the beginning of the struggle 
he joined the Confederate marine department and was made captain of a 
gunboat on the Calcasieu River. During his service in this capacit}' he was 
in everv river west of the Mississippi that empties into the Gulf of Mexico. 
Some of his expeditions were very daring, but nearly al\va3-s successful. He 
was at the battle of Sabine Pass in 1863, and was in command of the ves- 
sel when J. H. Bell was captured. One of his most successful feats was 
running the blockade on the Calcasieu, alone, with a cotton cargo, when 
fifteen Federal gun-boats guarded the river. Jle was subsequenth- taken prisoner 
and detained at New Orleans for six months. After the war he was at Mata- 
moros for a short while and returned to Lake Charles, where he married Miss 
Ernestine Nettleroad, and here permanently located. He was for man}' years 
engaged in the timber business, and, in 1875, he opened a hotel in Lake Charles. 
His first wife died in 1876, and, in 1878, he married Miss Sophia Winterhaulder, 
of New Orleans. By the first marriage he became the father of three children, 
viz: Lily, Emma and Charles H. The last marriage resulted in the birth of 
three children, two of whom are living, viz: Ludie Wickie and Mary. Mrs. 
Hall is. a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, and removed with her parents to this 
country when quite young. Capt. Hall was a most liberal hearted gentleman, 
and a revered citizen. Though leaving a competency to his family, he was not 
considered wealthv. 



C. P. HAMPTON, Edgerlv.— C. P. Hampton is a native of Texas, born 
in 1844, ^" ^^^^ '-''•y '-'^ Marshall, of which his grandfather was the founder. 

C. P. Hampton came to Louisiana in 1856 and has been a resident of Cal- 
casieu parish for sixteen years, having resided in Rapides parish previous to lo- 
cating in Calcasieu. In 1861 Mr. Hampton enlisted in the Confederate service and 
was in the Army of Tennessee, serving during the whole war. Mr. Hampton 
has taken an active part in political affairs. He was elected State Senator in 18S4 
and reelected in 188S. During his term of service he has been active in all 
measures to promote the interests of this section. Mr. Hampton deals largely 
in lumber and has a mill at Vinton. He is also a successful farmer and has a 
plantation of two thousand acres, eight hundred of which are under cultivation. 
Mr. Hampton was married in 1876 to Miss Louvinia Perkins. They are the 
parents of six children, all of whom are living. 



i 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 103 

W. M. HOLIDAY, Lorettk. — W. M. Holidaj- is a nativeof Jones county, 
Georgia, born in 1841. He removed from Georgia to Texas, and from that 
place in 1857 to Vernon parish, Louisiana, and thence to Calcasieu parish in 
18S5. His parents were both nativesof Georgia, where his lather wasengnged in 
planting. During the late civil war his father was in the Confederate service 
from 1862 until his death in 1863. He served under Capt. Bryan, now a resi- 
dent of Lake Charles. 

Oui subject was also a soldier in that struggle. He enlisted in March, 1862, 

and served till the surrender. He was in manj^ of the active engagements. After 

the war he returned home, and has since been a planter and stock raiser. Mr. 

Holiday has twice married ; first, in December, 1866, to Miss Louisa Miller, who 

died in 18S3. He afterward married Miss Julia Fentrel. Mr. Holiday has held 

various offices, and takes an active part in political affairs. He has at different 

times served as police juror and constable. Mr. Holiday and wife are both 

members of the Baptist church. They are the parents of eleven children, all of 

whom are living. 

* 

« * 

"^ J. F. HANCHEY, Dry Creek.— J. F. Hanchey is a native of Alabama, 
born in Pike county, May 30, 1845. He is the son of William and Frances 
(Letlow) Hanchey. His father was a native of South Carolina, boi-n Novemljer 
15, 1806, and his mother of Jones county, Georgia, born Januarv 9, 1812. They 
were married in Dallas county, Alabama, October i, 1829. There was born to 
this union eleven children, five sons and six daughters, eight of whom are now 
living, viz : John W., James W., M. E., Joseph AL, Lucinda, wife of Samuel 
Pates; Frances, wife of George Thielman ; Sarah, wife of James Heard. Those 
deceased are : Eliza, Nanc}-, William. William Hanchey was a successful planter 
of Alabama, and removed from there to Florida, and was engaged in the Flor- 
ida Indian war. In 1859 '^^ removed to Louisiana, where he purchased land and 
resided until the time of his death in 1883. His widow still survives him, being 
now in her seventy-ninth year. 

The subject of tliis sketch came to Louisiana with his parents, where he 
received a common school education in this parish. Mr. Hanchey gave his full 
attention to planting until 1889, when he erected a cotton, grist and saw mill, 
which he operates in connection with his plantation. He was married in Cal- 
casieu parish, in 1S65, to Miss Nancy Ford, a nativeof Louisiana, and daughter 
of J. B. Ford. They are the parents of eight children, viz: James E., Grace 
F., Joseph J., John L., Sarah N., Robert D., Lucinda N., Jefferson. 



J. E. M. HENNIGAN, Merryville.— J. E. M. Hennigan is a native of 
Louisiana, born in Calcasieu parish, 1853. His father and mother were natives 



164 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

of Georgia, removing to Calcasieu parisli in 1856. His fallier is a successt'iil 
planter. 

J. E. I\r. Hennigan received a common school education, and adopted as 
his vocation farming, which he has exclusively followed. He was married in 
1871 to Miss Louise J. Eaves. They are the parents of fovir children. Mrs. 

Hennigan died in 1880. , 

* » 

^ DEMCY ILES, Suuartown. — Demcy lies is a native of Louisiana, born 
in Calcasieu parish, May 7, 1831. He is the son of Demcy and Sarah (Cherry) 
lies, both natives of South Carolina, born February 1, 1796 and May 10, 1805, 
respectively. Demcy lies, Sr., was a planter and stock dealer. He came to 
Louisiana when quite a)'Oungman, where he married our subject's mother, July 
26, 1821. His father, Wm. lies, was in the Revolutionary War. and served tor 
seven years. Demcy lies, Sr., died in Calcasieu parish in 1871. Our subject's 
mother died in 1880. Both were members of the Baptist cliurch. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of fourteen children, eiglit of 
whom are now living, viz: John S., Howell W., J. T., Sarah, wife of D. C. 
Singleton; Ellen, wife of J. J. Davis; Susan, wife of James Perkins; Catherine, 
wife of T. T. Singleton. Those deceased, are William, George, Aaron, Joseph, 
Elizabeth, Clarinda. 

• Demc}' lies grew to manhood and received his education in Calcasieu 
parish. During the late civil war he was in the cavalry service, having enlisted 
in 1862, in the Second Louisiana Regiment. He was in the battles of Mansfield, 
Berwick's Bay and numerous other skirmishes. He was paroled at Alexandria. 
After the war he returned home, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, 
to which he has given his full attention since. He has a good farm of four hun- 
dred acres, a small portion of which is under cultivation. He has on his place 
a large number of cattle and sheep and is one of the most successful stock rais- 
ers in this section. Mr. lies was married, in 1850, to Miss Martha Perkins, a 
native of this parish, born in 1832. To this union have been born twelve chil- 
dren, seven sons and five daughters, viz: Catherine, wife of A. J. L. Andrus; 
William, Susan, wife of Wm. Harper; Franklin P., Jefferson, Samuel J., Lou- 
vicy, wife ol" Ed. Fairchild; Deller, Demcv C, Martha. Mr. lies is a member 
of the Masonic order. He and wife are members of the Baptist church. 

^ HON. THOMAS KLEINPETER, Lake Charles.— Thomas Kleinpeter 
was born in East Baton Rouge in 1833. He is the son of George Kleinneter 
and Harriet E. Laws, of Louisville, Kentuck}-. George Kleinpeter was a 
physician and planter of East Baton Rouge parish. His father and mother were 
natives of Germany and came to Louisiana many j-ears since. 

Thomas Kleinpeter spent his school days at Drennon Springs, Kentucky, 



JU^JORICAL A XL) BIOGRAPHICAL. Ifi5 

graduating in llie class of 1852. After leaving college he read law in the 
office of Zeno Labauve, who was afterward Associate Justice of tlie Supreme 
Court of Louisiana. Being especially proficient as a civil engineer, and partial 
to this calling, he has given most of his attention to this business. He was one 
of the chief assistant engineers of what is now the Morgan Railroad. He was 
afterward engaged in the construction of the Mobile Railroad, on which he was 
emplo3-ed after the conclusion of the war. Being commissioned as lieutenant 
of the engineering corps in Texas, he was present and participated in the 
battles of Galveston, and built the Sabine Pass fort, at which place, it will be 
remembered, thirty-seven men within the fortifications successfullv repelled the 
attack of fifteen thousand. Subsequently he was captain and later bre\et 
major of the corp of engineers who had charge of the fortification of the 
Texas coast, principally those of Galveston harbor. His command disbanded 
in May, 1865, when he returned to his home in New Orleans, and resumed 
•civil engineering. In 1872 Mr. Kleinpeter assumed charge of the Sulphur 
Mining Company's interest in Calcasieu parish, Louisiana, and since that time 
has been a resident of Lake Charles. To Mr. Kleinpeter and his facile pen is 
due ill a great degree the credit of making this magnificent country known to 
the outside world. In this capacity he has probably done more than anv other 
one man. Mr. Kleinpeter is the pioneer railroad civil engineer of this section 
of Louisiana. He served for a period of twelve years, while a resident of 
Iljerville parish, as Assistant State Engineer, and for the past twelve years has 
been surveyor of Calcasieu parish. He has also for a similar length of time 
served as justice of the peace. 

He was married October 30, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Lucy Bundv, one of 
New Orleans' Creole families. The}' are the parents of three interesting 
children, Thos. G., Noelie and Napoleon B. 

* • 

* * 

^ DR. W. A. KNAPP, Lake Charles.— Dr. W. A. Knapp was born in New 
Orleans, June 21, 1846. He is the son of Daniel and Frances (Piroth) Knapp, 
the former a native of Bavaria and the latter of France. They were married in 
France, and came to the United States in 1838 or 1839, located in New Orleans, 
where Mr. Knapp was engaged as a merchant. He died in 1S76, at the age of 
sixty-four j-ears; his wife died in 1874. 

Our subject is one of a family of two children, and received his education 
in the public and private schools of New Orleans. In 1850 he began the drug 
business at Port Hudson, Louisiana, with Dr. A. P.Brown, and was engaged in 
this business until 1861, when he left the quiet of home for the " tented field." 
Joining the Ogden Battalion, he was in service for four years, three yeafs of 
which was spent in hospital service in Clinton, Louisiana, Port Hudson and Bran- 
don, Mississippi, under Drs. A. P. ]5rown and Thomas J. Bulfington. After the 



100 SOU'J inVEST LOUISIANA : 

close of tlic war lie a<;aiii entered the drug business at Clinton, Louisiana, where 
he remained until the winter of 1S82, a portion of which time he served as a 
clerk. From 1874 ^'^ 1880 he practised dentistr}-. In 1882 he came to Lake 
Charles and opened a drug business, in which he has since been engaged. In 
1S71 Dr. Knapp was married to Miss Lizzie D'Armond, daugiiter of Hon. J. G. 
D'Armond, of Clinton, Louisiana. They are the parents of three children, viz : 
W. A., Jr. : Lilian D. and Ethel S. Dr. Knapp is a Royal Arch Mason, and is 
also a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, having organized the 
Knights of Pythias Lodge at this place; he is at present district deputy of this 
organization; he is a past officer of the L O. O. F., K. of P., K. of H., 
American Legion of Honor, A. O. L'^. W., and Commander of the Uniform Di- 
vision K. of P. and K. of H. Commander}- and fire department of Lake Charles, 

Louisiana. „ 

» * 

V J. A. LANDRY, West Lake Charles. — J. A. Landry, of the firm of J. A.- 
Latidrv & Co., was born in West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jul}' 17, 1859. He is 
the son of J. A. Landry and Aloysia (Leveque) Landry, both natives of West 
Baton Rouge. J. A. Landry, Sr., was a practising physician. He received 
his education at Bardstown, Kentucky, and pursued a medical course at Tulane 
University. Upon the completion of his course he began the practice of his 
profession in West Baton Rouge parish, in which he continued until the time of 
his death in 1870. Our subject's mother now resides in West Lake Charles. 

J. A. Landry was the second of a familv of six children. He received his 
education in West Baton Rouge and began life as a planter. Li 1877-78 he con- 
ducted a drug business in partnership with Dr. J. C. Munday, and from this 
time until 1880 he was employed in a general mercantile business. In 18S1 he 
became business mangger for the firm of Perkins & Miller, and has since occu- 
pied this position. In February 1890, in conjunction with others, of whom men- 
tion has been made in another part of this work, he began the erection of an ice 
factory in Lake Charles. Mr. Landry is a progressive business man, and under 
his management the business in which he has embarked will no doubt flourish. 
In 1885 Mr. Landry was united in marriage with Miss W. E. Stanton, of Lake 
Charles. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic church. 

* * 

Z. LEBLEU, Lake Charles. — Zepheren Lebleu, planter, is a son of 
Simeon and Amelia (Hebert) Lebleu, both natives of this State. His father 
was a planter and married in this parish. He became the father of nine chil- 
dren, three sons and six daughters, of whom our subject is the third. Simeon 
Lebleu died in 1884, his wife surviving iintil 1888. Both w'ere members o 
the Roman Catholic church. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Calcasieu parish, October 4, 1865. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. I(i7 

He has resided here his entire life, and in 1S85 he married Miss Mary Corbello, 
a native of Louisiana, born 1S68. They are the parents of three children, 
viz: Ladjs Lily, Frederick. Mr. Lebleu is s successful planter; he owns 260 
acres of land, where he resides. He raises principally sweet potatoes and rice. 
His farm is located five miles east of Lake Charles. Mr. Lebleu is an indus- 
trious, worthy young man, and has made a fair start on the road to prosperit}-. 
He and wife are members of the Catholic cliurch. 

- WAL F. LYLE, Crown Point. — Wm. F. Lyle was born in St. Lan- 
dry parish, Louisiana, 184S. He came to Calsasieu parish just after the close of 
the war, and has since been engaged in planting at this place. Mr. Lyle's parents 
were natives of Virginia and Louisiana, respectively. His father removed to 
Louisiana early in life, and became a prosperous farmer. 

Wm. F. Lyle is united in marriage with Miss Clendenan. .He is a stanch 
Democrat, though he never takes an active part in political affairs. 

* * 

JOSEPH C. LeBLEU, Lake Charles. — Joseph C. LeBleu, one of the 
pioneer planters of Calcasieu parish, who resides at English Bayou, Ward 3, is^ 
a native of the parish, born April 8, 1841. He is the son of Arsine and Eliza 
(Milhomme) LeBleu, natives of Louisiana, born 1783 and 1800, respectively. 
Arsine LeBleu emigrated to California in 1849; he died in Sacramento in 1850. 
His wife died in 1883. By occupation Arsine LeBlue was a planter and stock 
raiser. 

Our subject is the 3-oungestof a family of eight children, two of whom are 
now living. Mr. LeBleu spent his youthful daj's in Calcasieu parish. At the 
beginning of the civil struggle he entered Company K, Eighteenth Louisiana 
Regiment, under Captain A. B. Spencer. He was in the battles of Williamsburg, 
Seven Pines, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and numerous other minor engagements. 
He was paroled at Natchitoches, Louisiana. After the war he returned home 
and resumed farming, which he has closel}' followed ever since. He owns a good 
plantation where he resides, and upon which he raises, principally, rice. He is 
president of the Lake Charles Farmers' Union, 587, and was the organizer of 
tlie Union in Calcasieu parish. Mr. LeBleu was married, in 1867, to Leoneze 
Hebert, a native of Louisiana. They are the parents of ten children, five sons 
and five daughters, six of whom are living: Beatrice (widow of Arthur Rosteet), 
Grace (wife of J. W. Rosteet). Polignac, Evelina, Farrel and Ella. 

» * 
E. J. LYONS, ]\L D., Lake Charles. — Dr. E. J. Lyons was born in 
Lake Ch;irles in 1839. His father, John Lyons, was a native of St. Landr}' 
parish and removed to Lake Charles at an early date. Here he eng.iged in 



1(;8 SOl'7IIlVES7^ L OLVS/.LVA : 

plantin<j and slock raising, and became one of Calcasieu's most successful plan- 
ters. Our subject's mother, Amanda Staunton Lyons, is still living and resides 
at this place. The father is deceased. 

Ur. Lyons was educated in Texas, and in iS6i entered the medical depart- 
ment of the University of Louisiana, now Tulane, from which institution he 
graduated in 1863. During the latter part of the war, he served as assistant 
surgeon in the Confederate States army. Since that time he has given his full 
attention to the practice of his profession and has been ver\' successful. The 
doctor is united in marriage with Miss T. K. Robinson, of St. Landry parish. 
Thev are parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters. David E. 
is a graduate of the medical department of Tulane L^niversity, and J. C. is a 
student in the same department. 

Dr. Lvons is a member of the Masonic fraternities, also a member of the 
Knights of H(5nor. He is a member of the town council and takes an active 
part in political affairs. 

* * 

^ J^^O. L. LYONS. SriJARTOWx. — Jno. L. Lyons is a native of Calcasieu 
parish, born November 23, 1S43. He is the son of Jno. and Arnald (Stanton) 
Lyons, both natives of St. Landiy parish, Louisiana. The former was born 1806, 
the latter 1812. Jno. Lyons was a successful planter of St. Landry parish. He 
became the father of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, eight of 
whom are now living, Adola, wife of Thos. J. Lyons; Augustus, Oscar, Earnes- 
tine, wife of L A. Perkins; Dr. E. J., J. L., subject of this sketch, Ambrose 
and Albert. Those deceased are, Emil}^ Amandadia, Osbornand Malac}'. Jno. 
Lyons was post-master at Sabine, this parish, and for a number of years occujiied 
the same position at Bigwood. He died April, 1886. His widow still survives 
him. 

The subject of this sketch received the benefit of a good common school 
education and began life as a farmer. In 1861, he enlisted in Compan\- K, Six- 
teenth Louisiana Regiment, Confederate States troops, and served until tlie close 
of the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfrefisboro and 
Chickamauga. At the last named battle he was severely wounded in the right 
arm and returned home on a furlough. Shortly after, he reported to Gen. Tay- 
lor, and served the remainder of the war in the Second Louisiana Cavalry. Since 
the war he has. been engaged in farming and lumbering. He operates a steam 
cotton gin, grist, rice and saw mill, combined. He owns five hundred acres of 
land, most of which is timbered. Mr. Lyons was married in Calcasieu parish, 
1S65, to Miss Martha, daughter of E. W. Perkins. To this union have been 
born four sons and two daughters, four of whom are living, Lola, wife of Webb 
Deere, \'iana, R., J. L. and George S. The deceased are Oscar and Evan. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 169 

'' COL. A. R. MITCHELL, Lake Ciiari.es.— Col. A. R. Mitchell, one of 
the leading members of the Lake Charles bar was born in Winchester, Franklin 
county, Tennessee, February 22. 1817. He is the son of Robert T. and Mar}- W. 
(Shropshire) Mitchell, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of 
Georgia. Robert T. Mitchell was a graduate of Columbia College, Columbia, 
South Carolina. He read law and was admitted to the l)ar at Rogersville, Ten- 
nessee, wliere he practised his profession at tlie time Gen. Jackson was Circuit 
Judge of that district. He afterward located in Winchester, Tennessee, where 
he remained for a short time, and then removed to DeSoto parish, Louisiana, 
wliere he gave his attention to planting. In this he was successful, and before 
his death had accumulated considerable propert}-. 

The subject of this sketch was the elder of 'two children. He spent his 
school daj's in Knoxville, Tennessee, graduating from the State University at 
that place. Immediately after completing his education he began the study of 
. law', and was admitted to the bar at Winchester, Tennessee, in 1839. Shorth' 
after this he came to Louisiana, and in T840 was admitted to the practice of law 
at Monroe. He practised his profession in Mansfield for a number of j'ears. 
On the breaking out of the Mexican war, Col. Mitchell organized a company, of 
which he became captain. He joined Gen. Taylor in the army of the Rio 
Grande, and he and his company served gallantly through tliis whole struggle. 
The first of his service was in the Fifth Louisiana Regiment, but he was after- 
ward transferred to the Fourth Regiment of United States troops, and in this 
regiment he was promoted to lieutenant of his company, and was mustered out 
of service as brevet captain. At the close of the war Col. Mitchell returned 
home and resumed his law practice. In this he was sedulously engaged until the 
late struggle between the States again demanded that he should leave the quiet 
of home and defend his native land against the wrongs imposed upon her. He 
organized a company and entered the Confederate States cavahy service. His 
company was afterward attached to the Third Louisiana Cavalry, of which regi- 
ment he afterward became lieutenant colonel, and was in' command of tire 
regiment until its dissolution. When the war closed Col. Mitchell again resumed 
his law practice and was earnest in his efforts to extinguish sectional strife ; but 
during the well-remembered days of reconstruction, he left the tumultuous scene 
and resided in different places in Texas. After the election of a Democratic gov- 
ernor he returned to Louisiana and located at Lake Charles, where he has since 
given his attention to his profession. As a lawyer Col. Mitchell has few equals 
in his section. He is an accomplished orator and a gentleman of deep learn- 
ing. Few men are favored with as remarkable a memor}- as he possesses, and to 
this he ascribes to a great extent his success as a lawyer. Col. Mitchell has 
always been more or less prominent in political affairs of the State. While a 
resident of DeSoto parish he was district attorney and represented the parish in 



170 SOUTBWES'J' L OUISJANA : 

the Legislature for lour consecutive terms. Col. Mitchell was married in 1S50, 
to Miss Amanda .Toupes, of Iberville parish, Louisiana. She died in 1S60, 
having become thS mother of two sons and three daughters. Col. Mitchell mar- 
ried again, in 1865, Mrs. Kate A. Campbell. They are the parents of a son and 
a daughter. The Colonel has always been a staunch democrat and still adheres 
with devotion to this part}'. , 

JOHN McNEESE, Lake Charles. — John McNeese, attorney at law and 
parish superintendent of schools, was born in New York City, July 4, 1843. He 
is the son of W. and Mary (Beecham) McNeese, both natives of Scotland. born, 
educated and married there. They came to the United States when young, lo- 
cating in New York City, where the}' spent the remainder of their lives. Wm. 
McNeese was connected with building steamboats. He died when our subject 
was a boy, as also did his mother. 

John McNeese spent his school days in New York City and Baltimore, INLiry- 
land, receiving a liberal education. Afterthe death of his parents he removedto 
Maryland with relatives, and, in 1861, he joined the First Maryland Infantry of 
Federal troops and served for nearly the fouryears of the war. He was in many 
of the hottest engagements in which his division participated. i\t the close of 
the war he removed to the frontier of Texas and spent some time on a ranch, being 
largelv interested in stock raising. In 1873 he came to Lake Charles, and short- 
ly afterward located here. He began the stud\' of law in the office of Judge 
Fournett, and, after graduating in the law department of Tnlane Universit\-, was 
admitted to the practice in 1886, at Lake Charles, since which time he has prac- 
tised his profession. In 1883-84 he was connected with the school board, and 
for a number of years he has been parish superintendent of schools. Mr. Mc- 
Neese was married in 1876 to Miss Susan Bilbo, of this parish. They are the 
parents of three sons and two daughters. Mr. McNeese and wife are members 
of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, respectively. 

THAD. MAYO, Lake Charles.— Thad. Mayo, Clerk of the District Court 
of Calcasieu parish, was born in St. Landry parish, Louisiana, January 26, 1835. 
He is the son of Capt. William and Eliza (Smith) Mayo, natives of Norwich, 
Connecticut, and Louisiana, respectivel}'. Capt. Wm. Mayo was a seafaring- 
man in his younger days. He came to Louisiana in 1832 or 1833, and engaged 
in steamboatingonthe Atchafayala and Courtableau, and was in the State service 
on these streams until the time of his death. He was engaged with Captains 
Gordon, Hinkley and Carrie in steamboating and navigating the Atchafayala and 
Its tributaries. He died January 25, 1849, when Hfty years and one month of 
age. He went to sea with his uncle, Thomas Mayo, captain of a merchant ves- 
.sel between Liverpool and New York, when six years of age. When about 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 171 

eighteen years of age he went on a whaling expedition as mate. The captain of 
the vessel died, and Captain Ma3'o was appointed to fill his position, and con- 
ducted the vessel back to Connecticut from the South Seas. He lost several boats 
in the rivers and bayous of Louisiana. One, in command of Captain Gordon, 
was blown up. Captain Ma\-o was an old time whig, and it is thought he was a 
Mason. Mr. Mayo's father's family is of Irish and Spanish descent, and his 
mother's family French and German. His mother is still living, and resides with 
her son in Lake Charles; she is seventy-six years of age. Her father, John 
Smith, died at the age of ninety-eight years; her mother when ninety-two. 

Thad. Mayo was the oldest of si.x children, five boys and one girl. At his 
father's death he attended to the duties of ferryman at the mouth of Bayou 
Plaquemine. After several months he went to New Orleans as salesman, and re- 
mained there for two years. He returned to Plaquemine, where he found employ- 
ment with Bissell «& Williams as salesmen. Then he went to Opelousas, where 
he learned the drug business with John Pose}-, remaining two years. He subse- 
quently engaged in business for himself at Washington, Louisiana. He was 
burned out, and returned to the employment of Mr.Poseyfor a time. He next took 
charge of a drug business at New Iberiafor James A. Lee, in which he continued 
one year. After this he turned his attention to railroading, and found employ- 
ment with the New Orleans, Opelousas & Great Western Railroad. He remained 
in this business a few months, when he engaged in school teaching at Plaquemine 
Brusle and Hickory Flat. In 1861 he entered the army, enlisting in the Eighteenth 
Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, under Captain H. L. Garland. He was 
hospital steward at Camp Moore, Corinth and other places. He participated in 
the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Farmington and Corinth, and in the 
engagements in the retreat from the last mentioned place. In the Trans-Missis- 
sippi department he was in the battles of Bayou Lafourche, Berwick Bay, Bis- 
land, Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. At the close of the war he was for some time 
engaged in the lumber business, logging on the Calcasieu. Subsequently he was 
engaged in carrj-ing mail from Lake Charles to Opelousas on horseback. While- 
thus employed he was elected parish assessor, in which he served until 1867. 
From this time until 1872 he was engaged in conducting a drug store in Ope- 
lousas. He then returned to Lake Charles and became proprietor of the Lake 
House, in which he was engaged three years. He afterward made several voy- 
ages to the K-io Grande, Brazos, San lago and Tuxpan, Mexico. Later he served 
as city marshal of Lake Charles for a time, when he was appointed deputy sher- 
iff, in 1876. He was next appointed superintendent of registration. He took 
charge of the clerk's office of Asa Ryan in 1876, and at Ryan's death, in 1878, 
was appointed clerk. In 1879 '^^ ^''^ elected to the office which he has held 
ever since. In association with John H., his nephew, and J. T. Hewitt, of Lake 
Charles, he organized the Calcasieu Shingle Company. 
11a 



172 SO urn WES T LO UISIA NA : 

Our subject married, June, 1859, Miss Malina Langley, of Hickory Flat. 
To this union have been born six children, five daughters and one son. The 
subject is a staunch democrat. He was a whig, and has a great affection for 
the old party and its principles. 

* « 

CHARLES MILLER, Westlake.— Charles Miller, of the firm of Perkins 
& Miller, was born in Sweden, October 15, 1846. He is the son of James Miller, 
who was a ship blacksmith, and is now a resident of the place of his nativity. 

Clias. Miller was educated in the common schools of Sweden. When four- 
teen j-ears of age lie entered a machine shop at Stockholm, Sweden, where he 
worked until twent}^ years of age. For four j-ears subsequent to this, he was 
engineer on merchant steamers and visited many foreign ports, aniong which 
were those of the East Indies and China. In 1870 he came to Lake Charles 
and engaged with W. B. Norris, witli whom he remained for five years. In 
1875 he formed a partnership with A. J. Perkins, and thej^ have since that time 
conducted a large saw and planing mill business at this place. The mill has a 
capacity of seventy-five thousand feet per day. They have an extensive demand 
for the products of iheir manufactor}', and ship a great amount of lumber to 
Mexico and several of the Southern States, besides supplymg a large home de- 
mand. They have a lumber j'ard in Galveston, Texas, from which they supply 
their Western trade. Mr. Miller assumes general control of the business as su- 
perintendent. Heis a thorough business man. The firm also has a large inter- 
est in the Calcasieu, Vernon & Shreveport Railroad, over which all their timber 
is transported. Mr. Miller takes an active part in all local affairs ; he is at pres- 
ent a member of the police jury, from Ward 4. 

He was married in 1873, to Miss Mathilda Bohnsen, a native of Germany. 
Tiiey are the parents of four living children, one son and three daughters, of 
whom the oldest, a charming young lady of sixteen, is at present attending 
college at Mansfield, La. Mr. Miller is a Master Mason, and member of the 
Knights of Honor. He is also a prominent member of the German Mutual 
Benevolent Association, of Calcasieu. Politically he is a staunch Democrat. 
« * 

LEVI A. MILLER, Dry Creek.— Levi A. Miller is a native of South 
Carolina, born September 18, 1830. He is one of a family of eleven children 
born to John and Samantha (Payne) Miller. His parents w^ere both natives 
of South Carolina, born 1803 and 1802, respectively. John Miller was a suc- 
cessful planter in Marion county, where he married in 1824. He emigrated from 
South Carolina to Mississippi in 1852, and here he resided until the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife died in 1865. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Marion 



J 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 173 

county, South Carolina. He began life as a planter in Mississippi, wliich occu- 
pation he has followed all his life. He emigrated from Mississippi to Louisiana 
in 1861, first locating at Buny's Creek, where he resided until 1866, when he pur- 
chased the farm where he now resides. Mr. Miller served during the latter part 
of the Civil War in Company B, Ragsdale Battalion, Confederate States Arm)-. 
He now owns three hundred and sixty-four acres of land, a portion of which 
is under cultivation and well improved. He raises a variety of products, and, 
by careful management and business tact, his farm }'ields him a good income. 
Mr. Miller is prominent in local affairs. He is the present member of the 
police jury from Ward 7. He is also master of the Masonic Lodge No. 182; 
he is president of the Farmers' Union of this place. Mr. Miller is united 
in marriage with Miss Margaret Jones, daughter of James and Lydia (Wilson) 
Jones, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of South Carolina. To 
this union have been born eleven children, five sons and six daughters, one 
of whom is deceased. They are: George, Minerva, wife of J. M. Robinson; 
Emberri, Samantha, wife of George Merval; Blanche, John, Delphine, Hul- 
dat, Nathan, Lj^dia, and Jeremiah, deceased. Mr. Miller is an active member 
of the AL E. Church South, and his wife of the Baptist church. 

» 

rf- * * 

E. D. MILLER, Lake Chari.es. — Edmund D. Miller, a prominent law- 
yer of Lake Charles, was born in Cameron, then Vermilion parish, January 27, 
1855. He is the son of Peter V. and Emilia (Broussard) Miller, natives of St. 
Landry and Vermillion parishes, respectively. Our subject's mother died in 
1875. His father is a large planter and stock raiser of Cameron parish. Dur- 
ing the late war he was in active service, having joined the Seventh Louisiana 
Infantry in 1861. He was taken prisoner at Vicksburg and paroled, and after- 
ward exchanged. He again enlisted in the service of the heavy artillery. His 
father, John Miller, was a native of Germany. 

Edmund D. Miller, the subject of this sketch, is the second of a family of 
ten children. He attended private school in Cameron parish, and began life as 
a sugar planter and stock raiser, in which lie was engaged for three years. In 
1879 1^^ ^^'^^ elected sheriff and collector of'Cameron parish, and was reelected 
in 1884. He resigned in August, 1886. During his service as sheriff he pur- 
sued a course of law stud\-, and in 1887-88 attended law lectures at Tulane 
University, in New Orleans, graduating from that institution in 1888. The 
same y^ar he was admittd to the bar in New Orleans before the supi'eme 
court of the State. He located in Lake Charles, July, 18S8, and began to prac- 
tise his profession. He practises in the local and supreme courts, and is one of 
the leading members of the Lake Charles bar. Mr. Miller is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity of this place. He was united in marriage in September, 1883, 
with Miss Louella May Clark, of Lake Charles. 



174 SO UTH WES T LO UISIA NA : 

ELIAS MIERS, Beckworth. — Elias Miers is a native of Calcasieu parisli, 
born 1854. ^'^ father and mother were both natives of this parish. 

The subject of this sketch has always been a planter and stock raiser. He 
was married in 1875 to Miss Prudence Slayderas ; they are the parents of five 
children. Both Mr. Miers and wife are members of the Baptist church. He 
is the president of the Farmers" Alliance, Pleasant Hill Lodge. 

* * 

WILLIAM MIERS, Beckworth. — WiUiam Miers is a native of Louisiana, 
born 1852. His parents were both natives of North Carolina. By occupationi 
his father was a farmer. He removed to Louisiana many years since, where 
he died. 

The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and since 
beginning business he has given his attention to farming. In this, at present, 
he is successfully engaged. Mr. Miers was a soldier in the Civil War, having 
enlisted in 1863 and served until its close. He was married in the year 1850 to 
Miss Elizabeth Pierce. They are the parents of four children. Both Mr. 
Miers and wife are members of the Baptist church. 

JNO. F. MIERS, Beckworth. — Jno. F. Miers, a successful planter and 
stock raiser, is a native of Calcasieu parish. He received the benefit of a good 
common school education, and early in life embarked in farming and stock rais- 
ing, and has given to this business his undivided attention tlius far in life. That 
he has succeeded, is attested in the fact that his well stocked farm is one of 
the best improved in his section. He is-, an active member of the Farmers' 
Alliance. 

.Mr. Miers was married in 1883 to Miss Sophia Miers, and their union has 
resulted in the birth of four children. 

* # 

^ WILLIAM MEYER, Lake Charles.— William Meyer was born in 

France, near the River Rhine, in 1^6. He is the son of WilHam and Josephine 
(Leichl)') Meyer, of whom mention is made in the biographj' of Adolph 
Meyer. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in Texas, where he 
studied pharmacy, and since beginning business life has' conducted a drug store. 
Mr. Meyer served for eleven years as mayor of Lake Charles, and was 
recently succeeded by his brother, Adolph Meyer. Mr. Meyer also for some 
time has held the office of justice of the peace. He is united in marriage with 
Miss Emma Mettlerode, of Lake Charles. They- are the parents of two chil- 
dren, viz: E. W. and Katie. The famil}- are Catholics. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 175 

\r 

ADOLPH MEYER, Lake Charles. — Adolph Meyer, president of the 
police jury of Calcasieu parish, and a successful business man of Lake Charles, 
is a native of Liberty county, Texas, born August 14, 1854. ^^'^ '^ the son of 
William and Josephine (Leichl}-) Meyer, natives of France, where they were 
married. In 1848 they came to the United States and located in Liberty, Texas. 
Wm. Me)-er studied pharmacy in France, and upon his location in Liberty 
county he engaged in the drug business, in which he was occupied at the time 
of his death, 1867. During the war he was captain of a company of Home 
Guards. He was a prominent mason. Our subject's mother died when he was 
a child. 

Adolph Meyer is one of a famil}' of five children. He spent his school days 
in Europe, where he devoted seven years to study, chiefly at Strasburg. Upon 
his arrival in the United States he was for some time engagd as clerk in a cotton 
house in Galveston. In 1875 he came to Lake Charles, and began the drug 
business in partnership with his brother William, with whom he was connected 
until 1889, since which time he has been conducting an independent business. 
In 1S88 Mr. Meyer was elected mayor of Lake Charles, and served one j'ear, 
on the expiration of which time he was appointed member of the police jury, 
and shortly afterward elected president. 

Mr. Me}'er was united in marriage on December 4, 1880, with Miss Florence 
S. Munn, of Calcasieu parish. As the result of this union four children have 
been born, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias Lodge at this place, and is the present M. E. of the lodge. He is 
also a K. of M., and a member of the A. O. U. W. 

* * 
•^ • JOSEPH W. MOORE, Sugartow^x. — Joseph W. Moore, a prosperous 
merchant of Sugartown, is a native of Ireland, born September 29, 1835. He 
is the son of Daniel and Winifred (Meloy) Moore, both natives of Ireland. 
Daniel Moore was a hotel proprietor, and married in Mayo county, Ireland. The 
union was blessed with six sons and five daughters, of whom our subject is the 
only living ciiild. Daniel Moore and wife spent their whole lives in Ireland, the 
former having died there in 1863 and the latter in 1842. 

Joseph W. Moore came to America in 1853. He was in New Orleans five 
months after his arrival in Louisiana. During the latter part of 1853 and the 
first part of 1854, he was engaged as clerk on a steamboat on the Mississippi 
river. January, 1856, he went to Alexandria, Louisiana, and was for a short 
time engaged as book-keeper in the Washington Hotel at that place. Later he 
taught school at Spring Hill Academy. In 1858 he married Miss Eliza Cava- 
raught, a native of Alabama. She is the daughter of John C. Cavaraught. Mr. 
and Mrs. Moore are the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daugh- 
ters, eight of whom are living, viz: AdeHne, wife of William lies; Mavo, 



1 76 SOUTHWEST L O UJSTANA : 

Daniel, Joseph, Patrick E., Isadra, May, Dennis. Mr. Moore served during 
the late war, from 1862 until its close, in Company C, Twenty-seventh Louis- 
iana Regiment. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, and numerous other skir- 
mishes. After the war he returned home and was shortly afterward elected 
recorder of deeds of Rapides parish and held this office for two years. He 
then engaged in the mercantile business at Leesville, Vernon parish. lie only 
remained here a year, however, and then removed to West Port, where he 
opened a store, and was engaged in business until 1882. From there he removed 
to this place and opened his present business. Mr. Moore does a flourishing 
business and carries a large stock of goods. He was appointed member of the 
police jury of Rapides parish in 1887, and occupied that position for two years. 
He served as Tax'Coliector of Vernon parish for a similar length of time. He 
has also taken an active part in locnl affairs. He is a member of the Masonic 
lodge, Order 1S2, and has served as master of the lodge. Mr. Moore's eldest 
son is a graduate of the medical department of the Tulane Universit}-, and is a 
popular young phj'sician of tliis place. 

* » 
v^ L. H. MOSS, M. D., Lake Ch.\rles.— L. H. Moss, M. D., was born in 

St. Landry parish, Louisiana, 1867. He removed to Calcasieu parish with his 
father at the age of ten years. His mother died when he was an infant. Both 
his parents were natives of Louisiana. His father is now a resident of Califor- 
nia, where he is a practising physician. 

Our subject comes from a family of physicians, his father, grandfather and 
great-grandfather all having been members of this profession. Dr. Moss re- 
ceived his primary education in the schools of Lake Charles. At the age of 
seventeen he entered Washington-Lee University, and graduated in 1887. After 
completing his literary course, Dr. Moss entered the medical school of Vander- 
bilt University, from which he graduated in 1889. He located in Lake Charles 
and "here built up a good practice. The Doctor is a distinguished member of the 
Calcasieu Medical Association. He is an active member of the following secret 
orders : K. of H., in which he is an officer; L O. G. T. and K. of P., of which 
he is a charter member. Mr. Moss has gained, during his short practice at 
this place, the reputation of being one of the leading physicians of his section. 

y * » 

J. V. MOSS, Lake Charles. — J. V. Moss, is a representative of one 
of the oldest families of this place. He was born on the Calcasieu river, 
in this parish (then St. Landry), September 13, 1825, and is the son of Henry 
and Anna (Ryan) Moss, natives of Georgia and Louisiana, respectively. Henry 
Moss came to Louisiana at the age of sixteen years with his father, Nathaniel 
Moss, who was a native of Virginia, and removed to Georgia when a young 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. \11 

man. He and his wife died in Lafayette parish, Louisiana. Our subject's 
father was a soldier in the war of 1812, but did not participate in the battle 
of New Orleans. He with others were stationed as a guard at the mouth of 
Vermilion Bayou during the latter part of the war. He died in Januarj-, 1875, 
at the age of seventy-nine j'ears, having accumulated a moderate fortune 
before his death, much of which was lost by emancipation. He was a man 
of some prominence, and, though urged to do so, he never held anj' office of 
importance. He was one of the ffrst white settlers of this section of Louisiana, 
his place of residence was ten miles west of Lake Charles. A portion of the 
land is now the property of one of his heirs. Our subject's mother was a 
daughter of Jacob Ryan, Sr., whose son, Jacob Ryan, is now a prominent 
citizen of Calcasieu parish. 

The subject of this sketch is the oldest living member of a family of ten 
children, who grew to maturity. He spent his school days in Calcasieu parish 
and in eastern Texas, receiving a fair common school education. After leaving 
school he engaged with his father on his plantation, where he remained until 
1845, and was for a period subsequent to this engaged in school teaching. He 
was afterward appointed clerk of district court in 1851. In 1S53 he was 
elected to this position and was the incumbent of it until after the war. His 
total term of service aggregated fifteen years. He was deprived of the office 
because he refused to take the " Ironclad oath.'''' In 1867 he was again elected 
clerk, and served one 3'ear until the reconstruction period set in. Since that 
time he has given his full attention to the operation of his little farm, being the 
owner of considerable land within the corporation of the city. Mr. Moss was 
married in 1845 to Miss Jane Coward, a daughter of Richard Coward. She 
died in 1854, at the age of twenty-seven years. As a result of this union four 
children were born, three of whom are living, viz: Eleanor L., wife of David 
H. L3-ons ; Ametia J., Joseph V. Jr., who resides near Sulphur Cit}'. Richard 
C. died when quite young. Mr. Moss married in 1856 Miss Amelia Cormier, a 
native of St. Martin parish. She died in 1874, having become the mother of 
nine children. ^ 

* * 

L. N. MIMS, Pine Hill. — Dr. L. N. Mims was born in South Carolina, 
1812. At the age often years he removed with his father to Florida, and thence 
to Alabama, where they remained until 1835. While a resident of Alabama Dr. 
Mims participated in the Creek war, serving its entire duration. Later he re- 
moved to Mississippi, where, however, he only remained a short time, when he 
located in Honey Island in the year 1843. Here he resided for several years. 
He is a veteran of the Mexican War, having enlisted in 1846, and served for about 
three months. In 1850 Dr. Mims removed to Rapides parish, Louisiana, and 
here practised his profession until the Civil War broke out. During the war he 



178 SOUTHWEST LOUISTANA: 

served as a sergeant in the Confederate States army. Shortly after the surrender 
Dr. Mims removed to Calcasieu parish ; here he has since resided and practised 
his profession. He hns a good plantation and stock farm, where he resides, 
which 3'ields him a comfortable income. He is a graduate of the medical depart- 
ment of the University of Louisiana. The Doctor lias twice married, and is tlie 
father of ten children. ^ 

V A. D. McFARLAIN, Jennings. — A. D. McFarlain, merchant, farmer 
and stock raiser, was born in St. Mary parish, Louisiana, 1853. He is the son of 
James and Abigail (Hayes) McFarlain. James McFarlain was born in Ireland. 
His parents removed to Virginia when he was an infant, where he was reared 
and educated. 

When a young man he removed to St. Mary parish, Louisiana, where he 
became a successful planter. Later he removed to Calcasieu parish, where be 
purchased the farm which our subject now owns. Mrs. McFarlain died in 1855. 
James McFarlain afterward married Miss Mary B. Guidry, of Calcasieu parish. 
The first marriage resulted in the birth of four children, three sons and a daugh- 
ter, viz : William Lee, Andrew D.,the subject of this sketch, Jerome, Mary A., 
wife of E. Venable, now deceased. Four children were also born to the second 
marriage, three daughters and one son, viz: Clamonse, wife of- Nerville Cart; 
Velerie, wife of Joseph Beard; Columbus and Victoria, wife of C. A. Guillard. 

The subject of this sketch began life at the age of thirteen as a farm hand. 
At this he onl}- worked, however, for a year, when he engaged in saw milling, 
and in this continued for a period of twelve years, during which time he accu- 
mulated sufficient capital to begin a mercantile business. He erected tlie first 
store in what is now the flourishing town of Jennings. He has since been en- 
gaged in business at this place, and may be termed the founder of the town. 
Mr. McFarlain has succeeded well in his business and is now one of the largest 
property holders of the place. His business amounts to over twenty thousand 
dollars annually. His store building was erected at a cost af fifteen thousand 
dollars, and he owns fifteen residences in the town and about four hundred lots, 
besides four thousand acres of farm land. He also owns and operates a large 
saw and shingle mill, with a capacity of manufacturing thirty-five thousand shin- 
gles per day. On his plantation, Mr. McFarlain gives special attention to the 
cultivation of rice, planting about one thousand and fifty acres annual]}-. 

He was married, in 1873, to Margaret Humphries, daughter of Jefferson and 
Mary (Hebert) Humphries, of Calcasieu parish. To this union have been born 
eight children, six sons and two daughters, viz: Claud D., Durell, deceased; 
Durelia, James, Mar}'- A., deceased; William, lAndrew D., Jerome. 

Mr. McFarlain is one of the oldest and best known citizens of this section 
of Louisiana. Whatever success he has attained in life is wholly due to liis own 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. . 179 

efforts. He is prominent in local affairs, both social and political. He served 
fouryearsas deputy sheriff, and for a similar length of time as constable, though 
he has never been an office seeker. 



V JOHN McCORMICK, Lake Charles. — John McCormick was born in 
St. Landry parish, Louisiana, 1835. He is the son of Michael McCormick and 
Mary A. Lee. Both parents are dead; the father having died in 1839, the mother 
in i860. 

The subject is one of a family of five children, and the only son. He spent 
his school days in Opelousas. At the age of fourteen he left school and entered 
the office of the St. Landry Whig, where he served three years as an apprentice, 
after which he was connected with the same paper for six years. In 1877 he 
came to Lake Charles, and here he engaged in a printing office until 1881, when 
he founded the Commercial, which he has since conducted. 

Mr. McCormick was married, in Januarj', i860, to Miss Mary C. David, of 
St. Landr}' parish, Louisiana. The}^ are the parents of ten living children, five 
sons and fivedaughters. The eldest son, Charles ^L, is connected with his father 
in the newspaper business. 

» « 

WILLIAM N. NELSON, Lake Charles.— William Nelson is a native 
of Sweden, born April, 2, 1844. He is the son of John G. and Elise A. (Nielson) 
Nelson. His father was a native of Newcastle on Tyne, and his mother of 
Sweden. John G. Nelson was a stone^iason and builder. He located in Swe- 
den in 1833. Five children were born to this union, two sons and three daugli- 
ters, the subject of this sketch being the only surviving member of the family. 
Both his father and mother died in Sweden, the former in 1889 and the latter 
in 186S. 

William Nelson came from Sweden to New York in 1866, removing from 
there to Mexico, and thence to Texas, and from there to Louisiana in 1869. 
The same year he married Miss Anna L. Johnson, a resident of St. Mary par- 
ish, but a native of Illinois. They are the parents of seven children, four sons 
and three daughters, of whom five are living, viz: Jesse J., Paul J., Harry W., 
Rosalee, and Frederick N. Mr. Nelson is a prosperous planter, and has a plan- 
tation of four hundred and sixty acres of land, eight}^ of which are under cul- 
tivation. On it he raises a variety of products, the principal of which are rice, 
corn and sugar cane. He also owns twelve acres of orchard, in which he has 
two thousand orange trees, pears of several choice varieties, a fine variety of 
peaches and grapes. His farm is located two and a half miles by railroad east 
of Lake Charles. Mr. Nelson is a member of the following named orders : 
Masonic, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of .Honor, Independent 



180 SO UTHWES T LO UISIANA 

Order of Good Templars. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. « 

J. M. NEELY, Merrvvim.e. — J. M. Neely was born in Jackson parish. 
Louisiana, 1850. His father was a native of South Carolina and his mother of 
North Carolina. The father died in 1858 and his mother is still living. 

J. M. Neely is an active business man. In connection with his farm he 

operates a saw mill, grist mill, and cotton gin. He was married in 1868, to Miss 

Elizabeth Watson. They are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are 

living. Both Mr. Neely and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist 

church. « 

« » 

ISAAC NICHOLS, Loretta. — Isaac Nichols is a native of Alabama: 
removed to Louisiana in 1845. His father was a native of South Carolina and 
his mother of Georgia. Isaac Nichols received the benefit of a good school 
education, and since engaging in business for himself has followed the vocation 
of farming, as also did his father. Mr. Nichols has always taken an active part 
in public affairs, both political and social. He was for eight years police juror 
from his ward. He is a charter member of the Farmers' Alliance at this place, 
in which he holds the office of lecturer. Mr. Nichols married, in 1865, Miss 
A. E. Holliday. They are the parents of six living children. 

» * 

^ ROBERT P. O'BRYAN, Lake Charles.— Robert P. OBryan, Attorney 
for the Fourteenth Judicial District of Louisiana, is a native of Vermilion par- 
ish, born April 20th, 1844. He is the son of Daniel and Mary A. (Perry) 
O" Bryan, both of whom were natives of Vermilion parish, Louisiana. The 
father died in 1871, at the age of fifty-six, and the mother in 1882, at the age of 
fifty-seven. Daniel O'Bryan was an attorney of VermiHon parish. He read 
law with J. W. Walker, and was admitted to practice in 1850. Prior to this he 
had been for some time engaged in merchandising in Lafayette parish. He 
served for a period of several years as clerk of the court of Vermilion parish, 

' and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1845: also a member of 
the Secession Convention in 1S61. During the war he was enrolling officer 
for the Confederate Government. 

The subject of this sketch is tlie oldest of a family of eight children. He 
spent his school days chiefly at Grand Coteau, in St. Charles College. He 
was m school on the breaking out of the war; and in August, 1865, he joined 
the Eighth Louisiana Infantry, and served for a period of six months, when he 
received his discharge. He was afterward drill master at Camp Pratt, and was 
subsequently transferred to Spaight's Battalion of Texas Volunteers. In Jan- 
uary, 1864, he was promoted to second heutenant. At the close of the war he 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 181 

turned his attention to steamboating, and was for several months engaged as 
steamboat clerk on the Vermilion River. He was later engaged as purser on 
a gulf steamer, from Morgan City to Aransas Pass. Subsequently he studied 
law, and in 1871 was admitted to practice at Opelousas, He located at Abbe- 
ville, and practised his profession at that place until 1889, when he removed to 
Lake Charles, and has since practised there. While a resident of Abbeville, 
he represented Vermilion parish, 1879 ^^^ 1886, in the Legislature. He has 
recently been appointed Attorney for the Fourteenth Judicial District of Louisi- 
ana, to fill the unexpired term made vacant by the death of J. C. Gibbs. 
Though conservative in his political views, Mr. O'Bryan is an ardent Democrat. 
He married, 1866, Miss Sue O'Neil, of Vermilion parish. To this union 
have been born nine children — four sons and live daughters. Mr. 0"Bryan and 
family are Catholics. 

* « 

E. M. POWERS, Welsh.— E. M. Powers is a native of Maine, born 
November 23, 1843. He is the son of Ambrose and Hulda (Frost) Powers, 
natives of Maine. Ambrose Powers removed from Maine to Wisconsin in 1845, 
where he engaged in farming. He died soon after locating in the State. The 
mother of our subject died in Wisconsin in 1873. 

E. M. Powers is one of a family of six children, two brothers and four 
sisters: George, Laura, Ann, wife of Abraham Pierce; Arvilla, wife of 
John Horn; Emantha, wife of Hiram Sweet; and Hannah, wife of Charles 
Stoddard. 

Mr. Powers received a common school education and began life as a 
farmer. He was married in Mississippi, in 1868, to Juliet Bancroft, daughter 
of John Bancroft, of New York. From 1870 to 1884 Mr. Powers was engaged 
in farming in Iowa. In 1884 he removed to C<ilcasieu parish, Louisiana, where 
he purchased a farm, and has since given his attention to stock raising and 
acriculture. Mr. Powers is a member of the Masonic fraternitv. 



C. T. PERKINS, Vinton. — C. T. Perkins was born in Calcasieu parish, 
1859. His parents are both natives of Louisiana, and are now residing in Lake 
Charles. 

Mr. Perkins is a prosperous merchant at Vinton. The success which has 
attended his business demonstrates his superior ability and tact. He was mar- 
ried, November, 1880, to Miss Nancy Kirkman, a native of Lake Charles. Her 
parents were natives of Kentucky and Louisiana, respectively. Both are now 
deceased. Mr. Perkins has served as constable for one term, and takes an active 
part in public affairs, though he does not claim to be a politician. 



182 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

ARSINE P. PUJO, Lake Charles.— A. P. Pujo was bore in Calcasieu 
parish, December i8, 1861. He is the son of Paul and Eloise L. (LeBIeu) 
Pujo; the former a native of France, and the latter of Calcasieu parish, Louis- 
iana, of French parentage. Paul Pujo came to Louisiana in 1840. 

The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of four children. He re- 
ceived his education in the common schools of Lake Charles. He read law under 
Judge G. A. Fournet at Lake Charles, and was admitted to practice December 
3, 1888^ He has since that time practised his profession in this place, having re- 
cently formed a partnership with Judge G. A. Fournet. Mr. Pujo is a promising 
j'oung attorney. He has already succeeded in building up a large practice and 
bids fair to become one of the leading attorneys of his section. Mr. Pujo was 
married, December 18, 1889, to Miss Gussie, daughter of Dr. S. M. Brown, of 

Texas. » 

* * 

A. J. PERKINS, M. D., Lake Charles. — Dr. Perkins was educated at 
Southwest University, Georgetown, Texas, graduating 1886. The same year of 
his graduation he matriculated in the medical class of Tulane University, and 
in 1888 received his degree. He immediately afterward located at Lake Charles, 
and has since practised his profession at this place. Dr. Perkins is the present 
coronor of Calcasieu parish. 

He was united in marriage, 1889, with Miss Pearl Snj-der, of Georgetown, 
Texas. They are the parents of one son, ValReece. The Doctor is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias organization of this place. 
* * 

^ NATHANIEL PRENTICE, Welsh.— Nathaniel Prentice, planter, was 
born in Vermont, February, 1823. He is the son of Isaac and Sarah (Stanle}') 
Prentice, both natives of Vermont. Isaac Prentice removed to New York at an 
early. day, and was there engaged in farming for a number of years. Later he 
removed to Wisconsin and gave his attention to the same vocation. He spent the 
latter days of his life in Sac county, Iowa, where both he and our subject's 
mother died. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a famih' of seven children, five brothers 
and two sisters. He was engaged with his father on the farm until he reached 
his majority. 

Mr. Prentice was engaged in farming in Wisconsin and Iowa until 1886, 
when he removed to Calcasieu parish and purchased a tract of land containing 
thirty-seven hundred acres, known as the " Hawkeye Ranch." Two hundred and 
forty acres of this land is cultivated in rice, to which it is well adapted. Mr. Pren- 
tice has married twice. His first wife was Miss Maria West, to whom he was 
married in 1844, in New York. They became the parents of thirteen children, 
eight sons and five daughters, viz: Charles Rile}', Elias (deceased), Hosea, James, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 183 

Orrin, Horatio and Isaac (died in infancy) ; Sarah, wife of M.Wiseman; Pru- 
dence, wife of R. P.Willard; Nettie E., wife of James Harriman ; Rose, wife 
of A. N. Kelly; Maria, died in infancy. Mrs. Prentice died in 1871, in Sac 
count}', Iowa, and Mr. Prentice afterward married, in 1874, Miss Sarah Ban- 
croft, of St. Lawrence county, New York. They are the parents of two sons: 
Mark, and Baby (died in infancy). Mr. Prentice has always taken an active part 
in local affairs, and when a resident of Sac county, Iowa, for eight j'ears served 
as county supervisor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

* 

JOHN H. POE, Lake Ch.\rles. — John H. Poe is a member of the firm of 
Mayo & Poe Shingle Co., shingle manufacturers, of Lake Charles. This com- 
pany has an extensive manufactory at the head of Ryan street. Lake Charles, with 
a capacity for manufacturing one hundred and twenty-five thousand shingles per 
day. The}' own their own timber lands, consisting of large bodies of the best 
Louisiana cypress, sufficient to last them for many years. They do a large 
business, and it extends over several of the Southern and Western States, Mexico 
and the Indian Territory. 

Mr. Poe, of this firm, is a native of Calcasieu parish, born near Lake 
Charles, November 16, 1858. He is the son of Augustus T. Poe, who was a 
cousin of the poet, Edgar A. Poe, and Amanda Mayo, natives of Kentucky and 
Louisiana, respectively. Augustus Poe was an architect, and was at different 
times located at Opelousas and Baton Rouge. At the beginning of the Civil 
War he enlisted in the Confederate service, and while in Kentucky was mortally 
wounded, from the effects of which he died in the hospital. His widow sur- 
vived him until 1872. Our subject was the only son in a family of four children. 
Being left an orphan at an early age, he was reared by his uncle, Thad Mayo, 
who was his guardian. He received his education in the common schools of 
Opelousas and Lake Charles, and at the age of sixteen he began work in the 
saw-mills of Calcasieu parish. Beginning as a common laborer, by strict atten- 
tion to business, and interest manifested in the work, he quickly rose, until he 
soon held the most responsible position of trust within the gift of his employer, 
and now owns valuable city property and several thousand acres of valuable 
lands throughout the parishes of Calcasieu and Vernon. Mr. Poe has made a 
study of timber and milling business, having given this his undivided attention 
since he began business life. 

In December, 1879, M'"- P^^ married Miss Ella Cooper, of Lake Charles. 
They are the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter. Our subject 
is a strong advocate of public schools, and has been a member of the board of 
directors ever since he attained his majority. He is a Mason and a member of 
the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He has held important offices in each of these lodges. 



184 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

J. V. RICHARD, Lake Charles. — Joseph V. Richard was born in St. 
Landry parish, March 13, 1845. He is the son of J. B. V. and Genevieve 
(Zerinque) Richard, natives of St. Landry parish. J. B. V. Richard was a 
large planter of St. Landr}' parish. He died in 1871, at the age of sixty-four 
years; his widow still survives him and is a resident of Opelousas. The Rich- 
ard family have resided in St. Landry parish for generations. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of six children. He received 
his education in Opelousas and was attending school at that place at the break- 
ing out of the war. In the first of the struggle he enlisted in Company K, 
Twent}^-eighth Louisiana Infantry, and served until the war closed. Enlisting 
as a private he was promoted, and at the close of the war he was second lieuten- 
ant. After the war he engaged as a salesman in a mercantile establishment at 
Opelousas, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Lake Charles and 
was for a short while engaged as a salesman in a mercantile house in tliis place, 
when he opened a business of his own and has conducted it with success since 
that time. 

He was married in 1866 to Miss Alice Hollier, of St. Landry parish. She 
died in 1879, having become the mother of six children, three sons and three 
daughters. In 1881 Mr. Richard married again, Miss Aurelia Hollier, a sister 
of his former wife. Mr. Richard is a member of the K. of H., and is one of 

the trustees of the lodge. # 

* # 

^ J. L. RYAN, Lake Charles. — J. L. Ryan, a prosperous planter of the 
third ward, is a native of Calcasieu parish, born December 24, 1842. He is 
the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Bilbo) Ryan, of whom a sketch appears in this 
work. 

Our subject is one of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now 
living. He was reared and educated in Calcasieu parish, and at the beginning 
of the war enlisted in Company K, Tenth Louisiana Regiment, serving during 
its whole duration. He participated in the Seven Days' Fight around Richmond, 
Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, and second Manassas; at the last named 
place he was wounded, and returned home on a furlough. Returning, in 1863, 
to Shreveport, he enlisted in the Second Louisiana Cavalry, in which command 
he was at the close of the war. After the war he engaged in saw-milling and 
followed it for fourteen years, since which time he has been a farmer. He has 
a good farm, and it is well improved, beside owning considerable timber lands. 
Mr. Ryan is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He served for a term succeed- 
ing 1S74 ^s ^ poHce juror from his ward. Mr. Ryan was married, in 1870, to 
Miss Mary L. Sallier, a native of Louisiana. They are the parents of nine 
children, one son and eight daughters, viz: Josette, Rosalee, wife of Martin 
Leblue ; J L., Catherine, Laura, Maud, Mabel, Estella, Ann. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 185 

JUDGE STEPHEN D. READ, Lake Charles.— Stephen D. Read, 
Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District of Louisiana, is a native of Avoyelles 
parish, born January 17, 1835. ^^ ^^ ^^ ^°" °f Stephen and Mary (Simmons) 
Read, natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. Stephen Read, Sr., 
removed with his parents to Mississippi when a boy, and later to Louisiana, lo- 
cating in Avoyelles parish. He was in the cavalry service in the war of 1812, 
and participated in the battle of New Orleans. He died in St. Landry parish in 
1845, at the age of fifty four 3'ears. He had accumulated considerable property 
before his death, having been a large and successful planter. The subject's 
mother died in 1839 o'' 1840. 

Judge Read is the seventh of a family of eight children. He received his 
education in Centenary College, where lie pursued a course to within one year of 
graduation. In 1857 he removed to Hempstead, Texas, where he pursued a 
course of law stud}^, and in 1858 was admitted to the bar in Washington, Texas, 
shorth' after graduating from the law department of Bajdor Uni\-ersit3^ He 
practised in Hempstead until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in 
the Twenty-fourth Texas Infantrj'. He was afterward transferred to the Thirty- 
fourth Texas Cavalry, in the Trans-Mississippi department, and participated in 
the battlesof Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou and Galveston Bay, besides 
numerous minor skirmishes. After the war Judge Read practised his profes- 
sion in Montgomer)^, Texas, until 1873, when he removed to Cameron parish, 
Louisiana, on account of health. In January, 1887, he located in Lake Chailes. 
In December, 1879, '^^ ^'^'^^ elected District Judge, and has since that time 
served in tliat capacity. 

Judge Read married in Montgomery, Texas, February, 1861, Miss Sarah J. 
Mitchell, daughter of Jas. H. Mitchell, "a prominent planter of Montgomery 
county, Texas. Judge Read and wife became the parents of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters, six of whom are living. The judge is a member 
and senior deacon of the. First Baptist church of this place. 

* * 
'•^ JACOB RYAN, Lake Charles. — Jacob R3'an was born at Perry's Bridge, 
on the Vermilion River, 1816. He is the son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Hart- 
grove) Ryan. Jacob R3^an, Sr., was a planter and stock raiser. He removed 
to Calcasieu parish at an early date, 1817, and here he remained until the time 
of his death. 

Our subject is one of a family of eleven children, three of whom are now 
living. Mr. Rj'an began life as a planter and stock raiser. This business he 
closely followed for fifteen years, when he turned his attention to merchandising, 
and continued in this for a period of six years. He served as sheriff of this 
parish for six years, and represented the parish in the legislature, 1866-67. He 
was tax collector of the parish, 1874 ^'^ 1878. In 1861 he engaged in saw-milling, 



186 SOUTH WEST L OUISIANA : 

which he pursued up to the present year, when he was burned out, making the 
third mill he has lost by fire. Otherwise he was always very sucessful in his 
business. 

Mr. Ryan was twice married; first to Miss Rebecca Bilbo, of Louisi- 
ana, by whom he had twelve children, eight of whom are now living, among 
them being J. L. Ryan, whose sketch appears in another part of this work. His 
second wife was Miss Emma Platts, a native of German}'. They are the 
parents of one living daughter, Daisy. 

*^ FRANCIS M. ROWE, Jennings. — Francis M. Rowe is a native of Newton 
count}^ Georgia, born in 1825. His father, Mathew Rowe, is a native of 
Georgia, of Scotch descent. He was married twice, his first wife, Mary Gainer, 
being the mother of our subject. His second wife was Mrs. Joiner, to whom 
was born a son — Mathew. Mathew Rowe, Sr., died of yellow fever in Gal- 
veston, Te.xas, 1847. 

Francis M. Rowe is the oldest of a family of three children born to Mathew 
Rowe and Mary Gainer, viz: Dr. Stephen, D., deceased; Sarah M., wife of 
Hugh Nunn, who emigrated with his family in 1849 to California, where he died. 
Mrs. Nunn is now living in Zacatecas, Mexico. Francis M. Rowe received a 
good common school education in Georgia and removed to Louisiana with his 
parents in 1838. Beginning business life for himself, he was for a short while 
engaged in farming, subsequently he prepared himself for surveyor and civil 
engineer, and was for a time engaged in Texas as a civil engineer. He after- 
ward read law, but did not become a practitioner. Under President Buchanan 
he was a United States revenue officer, with his headquarters in New Orleans. 
At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the State service as second lieuten- 
ant in Company I, First Artillery. In 1862 he entered the regular service of the 
Confederate States army. He was for some time in active service and at the 
close of the war was on detail duty in the treasury agency at Marshall, Texas. 
Mr. Rowe has resided in this place since 1870. He is at present notary, attorney, 
surveyor and land agent. He has always been active in local affairs and served 
for a number of years as justice of the peace. 

Mr. Rowe was married in 1850 to Miss Annie E. Joiner; they are the 
parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, viz: Edward F., 
deceased; Mary E., wife of Z. Gallup, of Jennings, La.; Ida, wife of 
Robert B. Moos ; Jennings, Sarah, Adah and Samuel died in infancy. 
Mr. Rowe and wife are members of the Baptist church. 

* » 
M. J. ROSTEET, Lake Charles. — M. J. Rosteet, the oldest merchant 
of Lake Charles, was born near Donaldsonville on the Lafourche, September 




^.^. 



y 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 189 

15, 1S36. He is the son of M. J. and Marguerite (Hernandez) Rosteet, the 
former a native of the Island of Majoca and the latter of Louisiana. M. J. 
Rosteet, Sr., died before the birth of our subject, and but little of his history is 
known. Early in life he was a seafaring man, and later gave his attention to 
sugar and cotton raising. 

The subject of this sketch received a fair business education and began 
business life at the age of seventeen in a saw-mill, as a laborer, and subsequently 
was engaged as clerk in a mercantile establishment. Afterward he became 
clerk in the sheriff's office under Jonathan H. Cole, of Calcasieu parish. 
During the latter part of the war he served in Ragsdale Battalion of Texas 
Cavalry, and was in New Orleans when the city was taken by the Federals. 
After the v^^ar he was for a time engaged in the clerk's office, and in 1870 began 
business on his own account. Since 1883 he has been associated with others 
in business, and the present firm of which he is a member does a flourishing 
business. Mr. Rosteet has been very successful; having begun life penniless 
he has acquired his present comfortable fortune. He was at one time elected 
assessor of the parish, but lie did not fill the position. He was treasurer of 
the citj' for sixteen years. 

In i860 Mr. Rosteet married Miss Mary J. Church. She died in 1872, 
having become the mother of four children. Januar}', 1875, Mr. Rosteet mar- 
ried a second time, Miss Mary T. McCormick, sister of Jno. McCormick, 
editor and proprietor of Lake Charles Commercial. Thej' are the parents of 
two children. He and family are members of the Catholic church. 

* * 
•^ J. W. ROSTEET, Lake Charles.— J. W. Rosteet is a native of Louis- 
iana, born in Calcasieu parish August 11, 1861. He is the son of M. J. Rosteet, 
whose biography is printed elsewhere in this work. 

J. W. Rosteet was reared and educated in Calcasieu parish. He was mar- 
ried, September 30, i860, to Miss Grace LeBleu, a native of this parish. Mr. 
Rosteet is one of the leading men in the local affairs of his section. He is a 
member of the police jury from Ward 3. He owns sixteen hundred acres of 
land, a great amount of which is under cultivation. Mr. Rosteet is quite largely 
engaged in stock raising. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is pub- 
lic-spirited, enterprising and progressive. Mr. Rosteet and wife are the parents 
of two children: Maud S. and Harry. 

* 

M. W. RYAN, West Lake. — M. W. Ryan is a native of Maine: born in 

Augusta, 1814. He is of Irish and English blood, his father having been a 

native of Ireland, his mother of England. He was reared and educated in 

Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia, Mr. Ryan learned the trade of machinist 

12a 



190 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

and engineer, and for many years he followed this vocation. He served in the 
Confederate States army from 1861 until the close of the war. At the begin- 
ning of the war he raised two companies, an infantry and a cavalry. He was 
made captain of the former, and his company served gallantly during the whole 
of the struggle. Capt. Ryan is also a veteran of the Mexican war, through the 
whole of which he served with Jefferson Davis. 

* * 
V JOHN H. ROBERTS, Jennings.— John H. Roberts, post-master of Jen- 
nings, was born in Pennsylvania, October, 1843. He is the son of David and 
Theresa (Gaenlich) Roberts, the former a native of Chester county, Pennsj-1- 
vania, and the latter of Germany. David Roberts removed with his family 
from Penns3dvania to Illinois in 1870. He was a blacksmith. He and wife are 
now living in Wayne, Dupage county, Illinois. Mrs. Theresa Gaenlich Roberts 
came to America with her parents when she was eight j'ears of age. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of eleven children, four 
brothers and seven sisters. He received a common school education in the 
schools of his locality, and at the age of seventeen years enlisted in the United 
States army, and served through the whole of the Civil War, in Company K, 
Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Regiment. He was wounded in the battle of 
Stone River, from the effects of which he was disabled, and retired from active 
service. He was detailed to duty as clerk in the Adjutant General's office at 
Cincinnati, Ohio. He was also in the military detective service at the same 
place, where he was at the close of the war. For several years after the war he 
traveled in different sections of the United States. 

In 1870 he was married to Miss Minta, daughter of Perry Hearwood, of 
Jefferson, Texas. She died in Biloxi, Mississippi, 1886, from yellow fever. 
For several years prior to 1882 Mr. Roberts was engaged in the mercantile 
business in Georgia. From here he removed to Northern Louisiana, where he 
remained for two years, then located in Jennings in 1S84, where he engaged 
as clerk in the store of A. B. McFarlain. He was married, in 1888, to Mrs. 
M. L. Evarts, daughter of K. Freeman. Mrs. Roberts is the mother of two 
children as a result of her first marriage, viz: Charles, and Maud. The former 
resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.- 

Mr. Roberts is one of the leading citizens of Jennings; he was its tirst 
mayor, and in 1889 was appointed post-master, and is now serving in that 
capacity. He is commandant of the G. A. R. Post at Jennings, and is a 
prominent member of 'the Masonic fraternity. He has been quite successful 
since locating at this place, and now owns seven hundred and fifty acres of 
land, one hundred being under cultivation and one hundred and sixty-eight in 
the corporate limits of the town. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 191 

/ 

D. J. REID, Jr., Lake Charles. — D. J. Reid, Jr., the present sheriff of Cal- 
casieu parish, is a native of Lake Charles, born August 14, 1857. He is the son 
of D. J. and Matilda (Veazie) Reid, both natives of St. Martin parish, Louis- 
iana. D. J. Reid, Sr., was a carpenter. He located in Lake Charles, 1855. 
He was for twenty-six years in office ; first, for a number of years as sheriff, and 
later as judge, which office he held to within one year of his death in 1881. The 
Reid family is of Scotch descent. Our subject's grandfather, John Reid, was a 
native of Scotland, who located in Louisiana. Our subject's maternal grand- 
father was a native of France. 

D. J. Reid, Jr., is one of a family of seven children: Joseph F., a resident 
of Lake Charles; Alexander L., present mayor of the city; David J., our 
subject; Andrew J., a large brick manufacturer of Lake Charles); Samuel J., 
and two sisters. Our subject, in partnership with his uncle, J. M. Reid, for 
some time conducted an extensive meat market in Lake Charles, furnishing 
dressed meat to many of the surrounding towns. Subsequent to this, for 
four years he was manager of a large saw-mill and mercantile business. 
He was afterward appointed assessor of Calcasieu parish, and served as such 
until the fall of 1883, when he resigned and became a candidate for the sheriff's 
office. He was elected in 1888, and is the present incumbent of the office. 
Mr. Reid has gained great popularity in the discharge of his official duties. 

In December, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary Helm, of New Orleans. 
They are the parents of two children: Maud and Kinney Eugene. Mr. Reid 
is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Legion of Honor of this place. 
Li politics he has always been a staunch democrat. 

* 

Li\STIE REON, Lake Charles. — Lastie Reon, a planter residing in 
Ward 4, is a native of Lake Charles, born 1826. He is the son of Louis and 
Artemie (R3'an) Reon, natives of Louisiana. Louis Reon was a planter in this 
parish. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of six children, two sons and 
four daughters. The father died in 1836, and the mother in 1865. Lastie Reon 
was reared in his native parish and began life as a planter. He was a soldier in 
the late war, and enlisted in 1863 in the cavalry service, and served until the 
close of the war. Returning to his home he resumed planting and stock raising, 
in which he has continued. His farm consists of two hundred acres of land; 
the principal products are corn and sweet potatoes. Mr. Reon was married in 
Calcasieu parish in 1845, to Miss Adeline Benwal. Six children were born to 
this union, four of whom are living. Mrs. Reon died in 1857, and our subject 
married again, Mss Zemma Le Bleu.. They were the parents of five children, 
three of whom are living. His second wife died in 1873, and in 1S75 he mar- 
ried Mrs. Leona Miller. The}' are the parents of four children. 



192 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA • 

'■' E. R. SHANKLAND, Jennings.— E. R. Shankland was born in Lewis, 
Delaware, April 7, 1819. He is the son of William L. and Elizabeth Shankland, 
both natives of Delaware. His grandfather Shankland was a native of England, 
and located in Delaware at an early day. The parents of our subject were 
reared and married in Delaware, where the}- resided until the time of their 
death. William L. Shankland was a seafaring man, the captain of a vessel. 

His parents died when our subject was a small boy, after which he went to 
Philadelphia, and was there taken care of until the age of twelve years, by a 
man whom he had previously known. At the age of twelve years he began 
work on the canal from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, in which he was engaged for 
five years. At this time the Seminole war broke out and he enlisted in the army 
under Colonel Zacher\^ Taylor, and was in active service for two years. After 
this he learned the plasterer's trade, in Pittsburg, and followed that for a number 
of years. Mr. Shankland removed to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1856, where he opened 
a seed and implement house, the first house of that character in the State. In 
the financial panic of 1857, like many others, he was financially ruined. He 
was afterward engaged in farming and horticulture in Iowa. He was for ten 
years director of the State Agricultural Society, and for two terms president of 
the society. He served four 3'ears as Deputy United States Marshal for the 
northern district of Iowa, the first term under President Johnson's administration 
and the second under President Grant. In 1885 he removed to Jennings, Louisiana, 
and has here been engaged in agriculture and horticulture. He has been presi- 
dent of the Southwestern Horticultural Society since its organization in 1884. 

Mr. Shankland has married three times; his first wife was Miss 
Martha Neville, to whom he was married in 1839, in Pittsburg. She died in 
1851, having become the mother of five children, all of whom are deceased. 
Mr. Shankland married in 1882 Miss Emeline F. Clapp. To this union four 
children were born, three of whom are living, viz: Emeline F., of Chicago, 
Ralph and Edward, both of whom are architects in Chicago, engaged with 
Burnham & Root, in charge of the construction of the buildings for the World's 
Fair. Mr. Shankland's second wife died in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1865. In 1884 
he married Miss Olivia, daughter of ex-Governor Hemstead, of Iowa. 

* 

WILLIAM F. SCHWING, Lake Ch.\rles.— WiHam F. Schwing, a 
prominent attorney, and editor of the Lake Charles Echo, was born in Assump- 
tion parish, December 20, 1837. He received his education in Centenary Col- 
lege, graduating with first honors in a class of eighteen graduates in 1858. 
After leaving school he was for some time engaged in teaching in Feliciana 
parish. At the opening of the war he assisted in organizing a company, which 
was afterward commanded by Capt. Keep. He assisted this company in captur- 
ing the barracks at Baton Rouge. From there he went to Faj-ette, Mississippi, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 193 

and took charge of the Phoenix Academy. He only remained here a short 
while, however, when he joined the "Thomas Hinds Guards," whicli after- 
ward became Company D, Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment. The last two 
j-ears of the war he was captain of the company in which he had enlisted. 
During service he was wounded four times; the first time at the battle of the 
Wilderness ; second, Seven Days' Fight around Richmond, in which he was 
severely wounded from the explosion of a shell; third, the evening after Gen. 
Jackson was killed, and near the same spot; and fourth, at the battle of Antietam. 

At the close of the war Mr. Schwing returned to Mississippi, and re- 
sumed charge of the Phoenix Academ}^ until 1870. During this time he had 
pursued a course of law study, and in 1870 removed to New Iberia and began 
the practice of his profession, in which he continued until 1881, when he 
removed to St. Landry parish and established an oil mill, which was burned 
down in 1882, but rebuilt the same year. By an accident in his mill, in 1885, 
Mr. Schwing lost an arm. He retired from the oil mill in 1887 and removed to 
Lake Charles, where he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1876 Mr. 
Schwing was elected a member of the legislature from Iberia parish, but was 
unseated b}- " powers that zuere.'^ 

He was married, in 1876, to Miss Alma C. Knight. Mrs. Schwing died 
in Lake Charles in 1889, having become the mother of six children, five of 
whom survive her, three sons and two daughters. Since locating in Lake 
Charles Mr. Schwing has given his exclusive attentionto the practice of his 
profession, until the spring of 1S90, when he assumed charge of the Lake 
Charles Echo as manager and editor, still, however, continuing the practice of 

the law. „ 

* » 

JAMES D. STANDFIELD, Vinton.— James D. Standfield is a native of 
Mississippi. He removed to Louisiana in 1855 and located in Calcasieu parish. 
His father was a native of North Carolina, born 1802, died 1872. His mother 
was a native of Mississippi. She died in 1868. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received the benefit 
of a good common school education. He has always been a farmer. At one 
time he served as justice of the peace, but resigned the office, and has never 
since held a public position. Mr. Standfield is united in marriage with Miss 
Mar}' Clark, a native of St. Landry parish. 

» * 
HON. S. O. SHATTUCK, Lake Charles.— Hon. S. O. Shattuck is a 
native of Miami county, Ohio, born 1850. He is the son of Benjamin F. and 
Eleanor (Manson) Shattuck. Before the war Benjamin F. Shattuck was a sugar 
planter, but since that time until his death in 1884, he was engaged in the timber 
business at Lake Charles. Mrs. Shattuck is still living. She is the sister of 



194 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Gen.Manson, of Indiana, who was a distinguished Federal soldier, a nd later 
Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in New Orleans. At the 
age of sixteen he left school and was engaged with his father in the timber busi- 
ness until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he taught school at Lake 
Charles, and different places in Calcasieu parish; 1880-84 ^^ ^^^ ^ member 
of the parish school board. In 18S4 he was elected a member of the legislature 
from Calcasieu parish, and since that time has represented his parish in that 
body. During his term of service he has at different times been a member 
' of the educational committee, committees on fish and fishery, and claims ; he is 
at present chairman of the committee on corporations. He is also a member of 
five other committees, among which is the committee on ways and means. Mr. 
Shattuck's services in the Legislature have given him a State reputation. He is 
the originator of the measure providing for the rechartering of the Louisiana 
State Lottery. 

Mr. Shattuck married in 1872 Miss Huldah Rion of this parish. They are 
the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Shattuck is a 
prominent Mason and has been master of the lodge. He is C. C. of the K. of 
P. lodge of this place. He is the the Dictator in the K. of H., and Past Master 
Workman in the A. O. U. W., also Vice Commander in the American Legion 
of Honor, and Past Chief Templar of the I. O. G. T. 

E. SHERLEY, Sugartown. — E. Sherley is a native of Mississippi, born 
in 1845. He came to Calcasieu with his parents when a small boy, and has re- 
sided here ever since. His parents were both natives of Mississippi, where they 
were married. Since coming to Louisiana, his father has been engaged in plant- 
ing in this parish. Our subject's mother died when he was eleven years of age. 

E. Sherley has given his chief attention to farming and stock raising, and in 
this he has met with fair success. He served during the whole of the war. Mr. 
Sherley married in 1870 Miss Sarah Cole. They are the parents of seven 

children, all of whom are living. , 

» » 

M. Q. SWILLEY, Sugaktown. — M. Q. Swilley, planter, living in Ward 7, 
is a native of Mississippi, born in Capor count}', in 1856. He is the son of Sut- 
lif and Matilda (Little) Swilley. His father was a native of Georgia, his mother 
of Mississippi. They were married in Mississippi, and became the parents of 
six children, four sons and two daughters, three of whom are now living : Marion, 
Monroe and M. Q., the subject of this sketch. S. Swilley was a prosperous 
planter, and to this vocation gave his full attention during his whole life. He 
died in 1858, his widow surviving him until 1862 or 1863. They were both mem- 
bers of the Baptist church. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 195 

M. Q. Swilley came to Louisiana in 1879. He bought a farm, and has given 
his undivided attention to its cultivation. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Per- 
kins, a native of Louisiana, born in Calcasieu parish, 1865. He and his wife 
are the parents of five children, two of whom are living: Ida C. and Susan; the 
other three died in infancy. Mr. Swilley owns a nice little farm consisting of 
about one hundred acres, a portion of which is under cultivation, well improved, 
with a good orchard of a variety of fruits. Mr. Swilley is a Freemason, a 
member of Sam Todd Lodge, No. 1S2. 

» » 
W. H. SIMPSON, Gay. — W. H. Simpson was born in Calcasieu parish in 
1861. His father is a native of Louisiana and his mother of Georgia. Mr. 
Simpson has been a planter since he embarked in business. He has done well, 
and has a good farm well improved. Mr. Simpson has twice married. He and 
his wife are members of the Baptist church. 

» » 

W. C. SABIN, Welsh. — W. C. Sabin, planter, is a native of Ohio, born 
October, 1863. He is the son of Nathaniel C. and Octavia D. (Rudd) Sabin, 
tfie former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. 

Nathaniel C. Sabin removed with his familj' from Ohio to Delaware county, 
Iowa, in 1870, where he became a prosperous farmer. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, six brothers 
and three sisters. He received bis education principally in Iowa, and at an early 
day began farming. In 1884 he came to Calcasieu parish, where he now owns 
eight hundred acres of land, one hundred of which are under cultivation and 
well improved, the principal products being rice and corn. Mr. Sabin is a 
young man full of energy, and the success he has thus far attained in his 
business undertakings justifies the prediction that he will make a thorough 
success of life. , 

DAVID R. SWIFT, Lake Charles.— David R. Swift, of the firm of 
George & Swift, was born in Belgrade, Newton county, Texas, June 2, 1858. 
He is the son of George and Elizabeth (Frazer) Swift, natives of Massachusetts 
and Mississippi, respectively. George Swift was six years of age when his par- 
ents removed to Texas. He became an extensive and successful merchant in 
Belgrade. He died in 1863 at the age of thirty-three years. His father, Seth 
Swift, was one of the landmarks of Texas. He died at the age of eighty-three 
years, in 1870. Our subject's mother is still living and resides in Jasper, Texas. 

David R. Swift received his chief education in Burkeville. When eighteen 
years of age he commenced logging on the Sabine River. In this he was en- 
gaged until 1884, when he began business with Swift, Miller &Co., in their lum- 
ber interest, and in 1885 he formed a partnership with Mr. George, and they 



196 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

have since conducted a flourishing Hvery and undertaking business at this place. 
Mr. Swift has charge of the office, while his partner manages the outside affairs 
of the firm. Their business consists of a well equipped livery stable, agricul- 
tural implements, wagons, buggies, coal and wood. Thej' also conduct a black- 
smith and wood workman's shop. Mr. Swift is a member of the K. of P. at 

Lake Charles. , 

* * 

V C. ST. GERMAIN, Lake Arthur.— C. St. German, planter, was born 
in St. Martinsville, Louisiana, 1854. ^^^ i^ ^^ ^o" °* Charles and Aurelia 
(Gauthier) St. Germain, the former a native of France, the latter a native of 
Louisiana. Charles St. Germain came to Louisiana when 3-oung, and for forty 
years was a merchant in St. Martinsville. He died in 1879. The mother of 
our sketch is still Hving in St. Martin parish. 

C. St. Germain is one of a family of three children. His brother, Raymond, 
is a planter of St. Martin parish. His sister, Marcelite, resides with her 
mother. He was reared in St. Martinsville, and educated in the schools of that 
place. He was for a period of eleven 3rears engaged in the drug business in 
St. Martinsville, which he discontinued, however, on account of failing health. 
Afterward he moved to where he now resides in 1882, and has since given his 
attention to agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. St. Germain was married, in 1879, 'o Ludivine Ledoux, daughter of 
Vallery Ledoux. They are the parents of five children, three sons and two 
daughters: Charles, Lucien, Anatole, Henry and Aimee. Mr. St. Germain and 
wife are members of the Catholic church. 



JAMES SIMMONS, Sug.\rtown, Calcasieu Parish. — ^James Simmons 
was born in Calcasieu parish in 1833. His father was a native of Mississippi, 
and his mother of St. Landry parish, Louisiana. His father is now a planter 
in this parish. 

Tiie subject of this sketch was reared and received his education in Calca- 
sieu parish. He has been a planter and stock raiser all his life. Mr. Simmons 
has twice married, first Miss Jemima Cole. His last wife is Miss Eliza Barren- 
tine. He is the father of nine children. In politics Mr. Simmons is a Demo- 
crat, though he takes no special part in political affairs. He is a member of the 

Baptist church. , 

» * 

E. A. SLAYDON, Suoartown. — E. A. Slaydon was born in 1864. His 
parents are both natives of Louisiana. His father was a planter and stock raiser. 
His mother died when our subject was but an infant. His father still resides in 
this parish. 

Mr. Slaydon's occupation since he began business for himself has been that 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 197 

of a farmer and stock raiser. In this he has been very successful. He was 
married in 1887, and is the father of six children. 

* * 

REV. STEPHEN SMITH, Loretta.— Rev. Stephen Smith is a native of 
Mississippi. His father and mother are both natives of the same State. They 
are both living and reside with the subject. 

Rev. Stephen Smith is one of a family of six children, five boys and one 
girl. He removed to Louisiana when young, where he received his principal 
education. Rev. Smith, aside from his ministerial duties, superintends the 
operation of a farm at this place. He is a minister of the primitive Baptist per- 
suasion. He was married in 1S81 to Miss Martha Miller. They are the parents 
of four children. ,. 

ALEXANDER VERRET, Welsh.— Alexander Verret, merchant and 
farmer, was born in St. Mary parish, December, 1853. He is the son of Victor 
and Clementine (Arceneaux) Verret, both of whom are natives of Louisiana 
Victor Verret was reared in St. Mary parish, where he was engaged during the 
most of his life in planting. He died in 1882. The mother of our subject died 
in 1868. They reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, 
Victor v., Alexander, subject of this sketch; Joseph A., Alcide, Victorine, 
wife of A. Carbello; Mary A., wife of Julius Derouen ; Mary J., wife of Isma 
Forman, and Clara, wife of Julius Fontenot. 

Alexander Verret began business life as a farmer. This vocation he fol- 
lowed for a few years, and in 1884 he engaged in merchandising at this place. 
He now conducts a flourishing business, carr3nng a stock of about $8000, and 
is well patronized. He also owns one thousand acres of land, which he has 
cultivated chiefly in rice. Mr. Verret was married, in 1887, to Miss Cornelia 
Mandoza, daughter of Samuel Mandoza, of St. Mary parish. Tliey are the 
parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, two of whom are living. 
Mr. Verret and his wife are both members of the Catholic church. 

* 

WILLIAM B. WELBORN, Sugartown.— William B. Welborn is a native 
of Calcasieu parish. His father was a native of South Carolina and his mother 
of Louisiana. The former died in 1840 and the latter in 1862. 

William B. Welborn was reared on a farm and has given his attention to 
planting since the beginning of business life. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in 
the Confederate States service and served under Johnson and Bragg until the 
close of the war. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Louisa Lee, and to them 
have been born seven children, all of whom are living. Mrs. Welborn's father 
was English by birth and her mother was a native of South Carolina. She is a 
native of Louisiana. Her father died in 1870 and her mother in 1880. 



198 SOL THWEST LOUISIANA : 

''^ FELIX K. WELSH, Welsh. — F. K. Welsh was born near where he now 
resides April lo, 1858. He is the son of Henry and Sarah J. (Simmons) Welsh, 
both natives of Louisiana. Our subject's grandfather Welsh was a native of 
Penns}'lvania. He located here si.xty-five years ago. Henry Welsh, father of 
the subject of this sketch, was a prominent citizen of Calcasieu parish. He 
devoted most of his life to planting and stock raising, and at different times 
served as deputy sheriff of the parish and police juror. He took a distinguished 
part in the Civil War, and was for some time acting adjutant general. During his 
service he was taken prisoner, and confined in New Orleans for one year. He 
died in November, 1888, at his home in Welsh. Sarah J. S. Welsh was also of 
one of the pioneer families of Calcasieu parish. She died in 1886. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a good busi- 
ness education in schools of his locality. He was married at the age of nineteen, 
to Miss M. David, daughter of Francois David, of Iberia parish. Mrs. Welsh 
died December 17, 1883, having become the mother of one son, Austin E. 

Mr. Welsh has been principally engaged as stock dealer and rice planter. 
He has two hundred acres of land, which yield an average of fifteen barrels of 
per acre. Mr. Welsh has for a number of years served as deputy sheriff of 
Calcasieu parish. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

* 

JAMES L. WEST, Davis Mills. — James L. West was born in Claiborne 
parish, Louisiana, 1848. His father was a native of Mississippi, and was a 
farmer and stock raiser; he died in 1887. His widow still survives him and now 
resides in Vernon parish. ' 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer. He has a plantation of about three 
hundred acres of fine land, where he resides. Mr. West is one of the successful 
planters of this section. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Julia Lewis; the}- are 

the parents of four children. ^ 

* * 

JOSEPH A. WHITMAN, Pine Hill.— Joseph A. Whitman is a native of 
Calcasieu parish, as were also his parents. His father was a farmer and stock 
raiser. 

Joseph A. Whitman received a common school education, and has been a 
farmer since beginning' business life. He takes an active part in politics and all 
public affairs, although he is not an aspirant for political honors. 

* 

* » 

^ HON. GEORGE H. WELLS, Lake Charles.— A leading member, not 
only of the Calcasieu bar, but of that of Southwest Louisiana, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this sketch. He was born September 11, 1833, at Schenect- 
ady, New York, and is a son of Joel and Susan (Bellows) Wells, natives of 
Massachusetts. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 199 

George H. received his education in the common schools of his native 
State. At the age of nineteen years he left school and came to Louisiana. This 
was in 1852, and December 18, 1854, he was admitted to the bar at New Or- 
leans, and located at Harrisonburg, Catahoula parish, where he practised law 
until 1861. He was District Attorney in 1859 by appointment, and then by 
election, and held the position until he resigned it for the "tented field" in the 
stormy period of '61. When the war commenced he enlisted as a private in 
Company G, Eleventh Louisiana Infantry. He was soon made sergeant-major 
and then promoted to lieutenant. When the Eleventh was mustered out Lieu- 
tenant Wells joined Shelly's battalion. Afterward he united with the Houston- 
City (Texas) battalion as its major. During Major Wells' army experience he 
volunteered four times, and was discharged three times on account of ill health. 
After the war was over he laid aside his sword, and reopened his law office. 
He located at Lake Charles, Calcasieu parish, in 1866, where he has since 
practised law. His practice is large and lucrative, and as a criminal lawyer he 
has few equals in this part of the State. He is a finished orator upon almost any 
topic. Although his educational training was wholly in the common schools, 
3'et so thorough it was, coupled with his voluminous reading, that he speaks with 
the chosen language and fluency of a classic scholar. 

Mr. Wells is democratic in his political views, but does not claim to be a 
politician. He was elected to the State Senate in 1878, from the district com- 
posed of the parishes of Calcasieu, Cameron, Vermilion and St. Mary, and in 
the session which followed his course was marked by the same high ability which 
has given him such eminence. This closed his political career, and he has 
since devoted himself sedulously to the practice of his profession. 

Maj. Wells was married in Ma}', 1861, to Miss Ellen C. Lewis, of Rapides 
parish. She died in April, 1886, leaving seven children, five daughters and two 
sons. In 1889 he married Miss Jessie Barden, of Lake Charles. Mr. Wells is 
a member of theM. E. Church South, and is president of its board of stewards. 
He is a Free Mason, and is District Deputy Grand Master of the Eighteenth 
Masonic District of Louisiana. 



EZRA Z. YOUNG, Sugartown. — E. Z. Young, planter; was born in 
Calcasieu parish, Louisiana, August 19, 1852. He is the son of Julian and 
Ehza Young, both natives of Louisiana. His father was a planter, and married 
in St. Landry parish. He became the father of thirteen children, seven girls 
and .six boys. Of these eight are living: Jefferson, Stephen, Austin, Oscar, 
Julian, E. Z., the subject of our sketch, Emily E., wife of Alexander Stives; 
Susan, wife of W. M. Morrow. JuHan Young and family removed to Calcasieu 
parish about six years ago. He was born in 1808 and is yet living in Calcasieu 



20(1 soir/ //WEST /: ouisiana .- 

parish. Our subject's mother was born 1815, and died 1868. She was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church. 

The subject of this sketch has been engaged in farming since beginning 
business for himself. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in his 
home place, besides about two hundred in other portions of the parish. The 
principal products which he raises are corn, cotton and sugar cane. The place 
is well improved, and he has on it a small orchard, consisting of a select variety 
of fruits. Mr. Young was married in Calcasieu, 1872, to Miss Sidney Simmons, 
daughter of Valentine and Anna Simmons. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the 
parents of eight ctiildren, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Young and wife 
are members of the Baptist church. 

R. M. ZAWADZKY, M. D., Welsh.— Dr. R. M. Zawadzky was born 
in the Province of Poland, July 25, 1828. His, father. Major Charles Zawadzky, 
was a commissioned officer in the Prussian army. Both he and wife were natives 
of Poland. The former died in 1832 and the latter in 1842. They were the 
parents of sixteen children, twelve daughters and four sons, of whom Dr. Zawad- 
zky is the only living son. 

Having left his home and kindred wlien quite young, Dr. Zawadzky has no 
knowledge of the famil}' at the present time. He received his education in the 
schools of his native country, and graduated from Warsaw Medical School. 
Shortly after completing his education, the Hungarian war broke out, and he 
enlisted in the army, serving until the cause for which he fought was lost, and 
then came to America to escape punishment. He landed in Richmond, Virginia, 
and has practised his profession in different States. He resided for fifteen years 
in Kansas, and has been in Calcasieu parish since 1S88. He practised in Lake 
Charles until September, 1890, when he removed to Welsh. Dr. Zawadzky is 
a physician of acknowledged ability, and he has been well received among the 
people with whom he has cast his lot. Dr. Zawadzky was married in Newton, 
Kansas, 1876, to Miss Julina Mathewson, daughter of Jesse A. and Julina 
Mathewson, natives of New York and Vermont, respectively. Jesse Mathewson 
died in Lake Charles, 1890. Mrs. Zawadzky's mother died in 1885, at Newton, 
Kansas. 

Dr. and Mrs. Zawadzky have no children, but are rearing two newphews 
of Mrs. Zawadzky's, viz: Orvin N. and George W. Mathewson. The Doctor 
is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PARISH OF LAFAYETTE. 



OSCAR L. ALPHA, Lafayette. — Oscar L. Alpha, editor and publisher 
of the Attakapas Vindicator, Lafayette, and of the Arcadia Sentinel, of Rayne, 
Louisiana, was born in St. Mary parish, October, 1857. He learned the trade of 
typographical artist in Franklin, where for three years he edited and published 
the St. Mary Herald. Disposing of his interest at that place he established the 
Attakapas Vindicator, the first copy of which appeared on March 27, 1S90. 
The Vindicator is a weekly newspaper, democratic in politics and progressive 
in its views. February 16, 1890, Mr. Alpha purchased the Acadia Sentinel, 
which he edits and publishes at Rayne. Mr. Alpha has an excellently equipped 
office at Lafayette, which is well patronized. 

» * 

C. P. ALPHA, Lafayette. — C. P. Alpha, president of the police jurj' of 
Lafayette paiish, was born in St. Mary parish, in 1846. His father was a 
native of Indiana, who came South and located in Louisiana in 1832, where he 
married the mother of our subject. The grandfather of C. P. Alpha served in 
the war of i8i'.i, and was a participant in the battle of New Orleans. He after- 
ward located in Washington City, and was subsequently appointed chief justice 
of the State of Indiana. 

C. P. Alpha grew to maturit}^ and received his education in St. Mary 
parish. He learned tlie trade of carpenter, and after locating in Lafayette 
parish, in 1871, became an extensive constructor and builder. He was elected 
a member of the town council of Lafajette and served six years. He was after- 
ward justice of the' peace and returning officer, and is also a notary public. He 
has served the parish faithfully, and as executive officer of the police jury has 
few superiors. In 1886 Mr. Alpha became engaged with the Waters Price Oil 
Compan}', and is now their agent at this place. He was married in Lafayette 
to Miss M. I. McBride. Thev are the parents of eight children, five girls and 

three bo3'S. ^ , 

* » 

WILLIAM B. BAILEY, Lafayette.— William B. Bailey, editor and pub- 
lisher of the Lafayette Advertiser, was born in this place July 29, 1839. ^^^ 
father was a native of Tennessee and his mother of St. Landr}' parish, Louisiam. 



202 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

William B. Bailey served an apprenticeship in a printing office, and at the 
opening of the civil war enlisted in the Girard Artillery, Confederate States 
service, June i8, 1861. His field of operations was chiefly in Virginia. In the 
following engagements he was a participant: Seven Days' Fight around Rich- 
mond, Harper's Ferry, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and 
battle of the Wilderness, September 9, 1863. Mr. Bailey was captured and 
held prisoner until the following June, when he joined Lee's army just before 
the battle at Appomattox Court-house. He was present at Lee's surrender. 
When the war closed Mr. Bailey found himself in the condition characteristic 
of the Southern soldier, penniless and far away from home. He walked through 
portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, finally reaching 
home in Lafayette parish, June 26, 1865. Shortly after his return home he 
became partner in the management of his present newspaper, the first copy of 
which was issued September 22, 1865. Three years later Mr. Bailey became 
the sole proprietor of the paper, and has edited and published it up to the pres- 
ent time. The Advertiser is a weekl}' paper well patronized. In politics it is 
conservative, though strictly democratic. The paper is especially devoted to 
the interest of the section of the countr}' in which it circulates. Mr. Bailey 
was married in 1866 to Miss Wella Queene. They are the parents of four 
daughters. Mr. Bailey is a Free Mason. He and family are members of the 

Catholic church. ^ 

» » 

"^ PAUL D. BERAUD, M. D., Lafayette.— Dr. Beraud was born in St. 
Martinsville, Louisiana, in 1854. He is the son of Desere and Corine (De 
Blanc) Beraud. His parents are both natives of Louisiana, and are of French 
extraction. 

Dr. Beraud was left an orphan when but a bo\-, and was reared by his 
uncle, Alcibiade DeBlanc, who was at one time associate justice of the Supreme 
Court of Louisiana. The Doctor received his education in St. Martinsville and 
New Orleans. After leaving school, he was engaged for a short while as civil 
engineer. This, however, he followed only as a medium through which to earn 
money to pursue the study of his chosen profession. He entered the medical 
department of the Tulane University, and graduated March, 1879. In his 
observation of the different treatments made use of in the Charity Hospital, and 
in general practice during the j-ellow fever scourge of 1878, in this disease, as 
well as others. Dr. Beraud became an adherent to the principles of homre- 
opathjr, and, after graduating, remained one year in New Orleans, and devoted 
himself exclusively to its study. After this he located in Lafa3'ette, where he 
successfully introduced homoeopathy. Dr. Beraud's success may be more 
appreciated when the obstacles he had to overcome are understood. That he 
has succeeded is acknowledged by all. He married, in 1S83, Miss C. A., onl}- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 203 

daughter of Hon. M. E. Girard, of Lafayette. They are the 'parents of two 

children, Ashton and Maxim. , 

* * 

^ I. A. BROUSSARD, Lafayette. — L A. Broussard, who has gained an 
extended and enviable reputation as sheriff of Lafayette parish, is a young man, 
having been born in Calcasieu parish, 1S57. He is the son of Dosety and 
Elvina (Lyons) Broussard. His father was born in Lafayette parish, but at the 
age of eighteen j^ears removed tg Calcasieu parish, where he subsequently married, 
and where he became a large stock raiser. He died in Calcasieu parish at the 
age of fifty year.s. The mother of our subject was of an old Louisiana 
famil}', and after the death of her husband, when L A. was thirteen years of age, 
she returned with her family to Lafaj^ette parish. Here L A. Broussard received 
his education. From almost a child he had assisted his father in stock raising; 
so, at the death of his father, he became early in life engaged in that vocation, 
which he continued until he was elected sheriff in 188S. Mr. Broussard's 
popularity was evinced in that he received a majority of the one thousand three 
hundred and sixty-four votes over his opponent. Since his instalment in office 
there has been nothing which Sheriff Broussard believed to be in the line of his 
duty that he has not attempted, however improbable the success may have ap- 
peared. With what success he has performed his official duty, his record will 
speak for itself. By the radical course which he has pursued, Mr. Broussard has 
received, from those who considered themselves injured by him, sharp censure; 
but, that he has performed his official duties with the greatest vigilance and most 
strict conscientiousness no one denies, and many of those who were at the time 
disposed to censure the course pursued by him are now his stanchest friends. 
Sheriff Broussard has hunted down criminals with remarkable precision, and 
has made captures of fugitives from justice who had long evaded the law. For one 
so unwavering he is possessed of a generous and mild disposition, and he 
possesses those prerequisites so necessary to one of his position. Mr. Broussard 
was united in marriage with Miss Debbie Doughtery, November 13, 1890. 

JOSEPH ZENO BROUSSARD, Lafayette.— Joseph Zeno Broussard 
died March 2, 18S1, at his home in Lafaj^ette parish, at the age of eighty-two 
years. The Broussard family are well known in this section of Louisiana, being 
among the most respected and largest families in this portion of the State. In 
a financial sense they have without almost an exception been successful. 

The subject of this sketch was the son of Joseph Broussard, also a native of 
what was then Vermilion parish. Mr. Broussard was one of the most extensive 
and successful planters of Lafayette parish; his plantation, which is now in the 
hands of his heirs, is an excellent one and under his management was made to 
yield a handsome income. He was agentleman of remarkable business capacity-. 



204 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

and W.1S characterized b}' his energ}-. As a citizen he was benevolent and pub- 
lic spirited, and, though uneducated in the high books, he had acquired, b}' 
reading and contact with the business world, an education which fitted him for 
an active business life. He married, early in life. Miss Cleonise Savoie, also a 
native of this parish. Mrs. Broussard died recently, being eighty-two years of 
age. There were born to this marriage five children, viz : Ophelia, Onezphore, 
who died in 1880, at the ege of forty-two years; Edmonia, wife of Joseph 
DugaG, a planter of St. Landry parish; Joseph., died in 1881, at the age of 
thirty-three years. All tlie children received the benefits of a good education. 
Onezphore Broussard served as a lieutenant in the C. S. A., and at the battle of 
Shiloh received a wound, from the effects of which he was disabled, and was 
unfitted for active service. He had served as member of the police jury and 
justice of the peace. Ophelia Broussard resides (mother dead) on theold home 
plantation. 

* » 

J. O. BROUSSARD, Brous.sardville. — J. O. Broussard was born in 
Lafayette parish in 1847. The Broussard family traces its origin to Gaurhept 
Broussard dit Beausoleil. This name was given him by his superior officers 
because of the cheerfulness with which he always received their orders. His 
commission as captain, commandant of the Attakapas district, under the old 
French regime, a copy of which appears on page 189, is now in the possession 
of J. O. Broussard. This commission bears the date of 1765. He was the 
great ancestor from whom the whole Broussard family in Louisiana is descended. 
He became a wealthy land owner and stock raiser in what is now Lafayette 
parish. J. O. Broussard is the son of Ursin Broussard, who is the great-great- 
grandson of Gaurhept Broussard, above mentioned. Ursin Broussard was an 
extensive and successful planter during his lifetime. Our subject's mother was 
Eurasie Broussard, a daughter of Isidor Broussard. 

J. O. Broussard is the youngest son of seven children. He received a com 
mon school education in the neighboring schools. He began life as a merchant, 
and this, in connection with farming later as he acquired propert}', he has fol- 
lowed until the present. He commenced merchandising near Broussardville 
since 1877. His plantations consist of three hundred acres of very fertile land, 
which he cultivates principally in cotton. He has on one of his plantations a 
large cotton gin, and also a blacksmith and repair shop near his store. Mr. 
Broussard is one of Lafayette's most active and successful business men. He 
was married in 1878 to Miss Clemence Labbe, of the parish of St. Martin. Three 
children have been born to this marriage, a son and two daughters, his little son 
bearing the name of the old soldier. Gaurhept, and the only one known of that 
name in the Broussard family. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 205 

' VALSIN BROUSSARD, Broussardville. — Valsin Broussard,a prosper- 
ous sugar planter of Lafnyette parish, is a native of Louisiana, born 1826. 

He is one of Lafayette's old landmarks who still survive. He is the fa- 
ther of the little town of Broussardville, and was its first post-master. In local 
public affairs, Mr. Broussard has always been prominent, though he does not 
claim to be a politician. In a business sense, as 'Well as otherwise, Mr. Brous- 
sard's life has been a success. He has always giveA his chief attention to plant- 
ing and merchandising; and now owns and controls four hundred acres of fine 
land in Lafayette, besides large tracts in other parishes. For the past twenty 
years he has conducted a flourishing mercantile business. 

JOSEPH S. BROUSSARD, Broussardville. — Joseph S. Broussard was 
born in 1862. He is the only son of D. and Clemence (Toubody) Broussard. 
D. Broussard was a planter of Lafayette parish, and served as a soldier in the 
late war. 

Joseph S. Broussard is a cotton planter on a small scale. His plantation 
consists of fifty acres of land, well improved. He is one of those successful 
agriculturists who believe in cultivating less land, and bj' the use of improved 
methods causing it to give a greater yield. He was married, in 1883, to Odiel 
Dupies. They are the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter. 

^ LEONARD BROUSSARD, Broussardville.— Leonard Broussard is a 
■native of Louisiana, born 1862. He is the son of Jules W. Broussard and Mary 
Leyda Bonin. Jules W. Broussard is a successful planter of Lafayette parish. 
He served the latter two years of the civil war as a Confederate soldier. 

The subject of this sketch is a prosperous merchant of Broussardville. He 
married, in 1888, Miss Mary Landrj'. To them have been born one child, a 

daughter. , 

» » 

- ALCEE BROUSSARD, Carencro.— Alcee Broussard was born in 
Carencro, March 2, 1859. He is the son of Neuville and Amelia (Richard) 
Broussard. Neuville Broussard was a native of Lafayette parish. He was by 
occupation a planter and stock raiser; he was also engaged for eighteen years in 
business at Carencro, and served as post-master at this place during Grant's 
administration. He served during the whole civil war. His father, Jean O. 
Broussard, was in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New 
Orleans. Our subject's grandmother, Victoria Vabsneau, was the mother of 
twenty-two children, twelve sons and ten daughters. At the time of her death 
her children and grandchildren numbered two hundred and fifty. Neuville 
Broussard died in 18S2. His wife died in 1861. 
13a 



206. SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Tlie subject of this sketch received his education at St. Charles College, 
Grand Coteau, and was for three years subsequent to leaving college en- 
gaged with his father in his mercantile business at this place. He began plant- 
ing in 1877, which, however, he only followed a short while, and since that 
time until 1SS4 ^^'^^ ** clerk, in different mercantile establishments at this place. 
In 1SS4 he was appointed constable and deputy sheriff, in which capacity he 
serves at present. He was married July 15, 1886, to Miss Erenly Elia Guil- 
beau, daughter of Adolph Guilbeau, of this parish. They are the parents of 
two children — Grover and Edna. Mr. Broussard is a member of the Farmers' 
Alliance, also of the K. of P. order. In politics he is a Democrat. 

^ A. CLEOPHAS BROUSSARD, Lafayette.— A. Cleophas Broussard, 
planter and butcher, living in Ward 3, is a native of Vermilion parish, born Sep- 
tember 25, 1846. He is the son of Edward T. and B. (Broussard) Broussard, 
both natives of Louisiana. His grandparents were natives of Acadia. The 
father of our subject was a planter and stock raiser, and dealt very heavily in cat- 
tle. He was also a large slave owner before the war. He married our subject's 
mother in St, Martin parish, and became the father of fifteen children, four of 
whom are now living. Mr. Broussard and wife died of yellow fever the same 
year in Vermilion parish. They were both members of the Catholic church. 

The subject of this sketch received a good business education at St. Charles 
College, Grand Coteau. In 1864 he enlisted in the Confederate States army and 
served for eight months until the close of the war. After this he returned home 
and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed since. In December, 
1887, he turned his attention to the butcher business, in which he has continued 
until the present time. He owns a plantation of one hundred and sevent3'-five 
acres of land, ninety of which he cultivates, the principal products being cotton, 
corn and sweet potatoes. His plantation is situated near Lafayette, and is well 
improved. At present he and his brother-in-law are preparing a race track with 
a view of having the parish fair there in the near future. The track is two-thirds 
of a mile in circumference. 

Mr. Broussard married, in 1872, Miss Arsene Guidry, a native of Lafayette 
parish. They are the parents of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, 
of whom eight are now living. Mr. Broussard and famil}' are Catholics. 



CHARLES C. BROWN, Carencro.— Charles C. Brown, merchant and 
planter, was born at Breaux Bridge, St. Martin parish, August 3, 1850. He is 
the son of Dr. William E. and Margaret (Claudel) Brown, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and France, respectively. Dr. William E. Brown was a graduate from 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 207 

Jefferson College, Philadelphia. He practised his profession for some time in 
Tennessee, and in 1846 or 1847 he removed to Breaux Bridge, St. Martin parish, 
where he practised for many years. Several yeais prior to his death, in 1859, 
he was a resident of New Orleans. Our subject's mother is still living at 
Breaux Bridge. 

Charles C. Brown is the oldest of a family of five children. He spent his 
school days at the place of his birth, and when but a boy of ten years he be- 
came a clerk in a mercantile house. In 1870, in partnership with his brother- 
in-law, Jules, he embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. In 
1875 '1^ removed to Carencro, where he has since conducted his business with 
marked success. Mr. Brown now owns about one thousand acres of land near 
Carencro, which he cultivates chiefly in cotton. He is also quite a large stock 
raiser and dealer. While a resident of Breaux Bridge, he was a member of the 
council, and he has served for some time in this capacity at Carencro. Since 
1887 he has served as a member of the police jury, and is the chairman of the 
parish Democratic Executive Committee, of Lafayette parish. 

Mr. Brown married, in 1874, Miss Andrea Ynojoso, of Lafayette parish. 
To this union three children have been born : SamueljP., William E. and Sarah W. 
George E., the junior member of the firm of Brown Brothers, is a native of St. 
Martin parish, Louisiana. He was educated at Breaux Bridge, and early in life 
married Miss Genevieve Milaudon, a native of Paris, France. She was a 
highly accomplished lady. She died in 1890, having become the mother of one 

son, Thomas Weston. 

» 
» » 

B. A. BOUDREAUY, Lafayette. — B. A. Boudreauy was born and 
reared in the parish where he now resides. His education was received in the 
schools of the parish. His father is a planter of Lafayette parish. His mother 
was a native of St. Landry parish, Louisiana. She is now deceased. 

Mr. Baudreauy is a prosperous planter and stock raiser, and this he has 
closely followed since the beginning of his business life. His farm is a good 
one and well improved. He cultivates about thirty acres in cotton and corn, 
but gives his chief attention to stock raising. Mr. Boudreauy is united in mar- 
riage with Miss Cora Duocet. To them have been born three children, all of 
whom are living. Mr. Boudreauy is not a politician, but in principle he is a 
staunch democrat. In religion he is a Catholic. 



O. BERTR AND, Lafayette. — O. Bertrand was born in Scott, Lafayette 
parish, Louisiana. His father was a native of Lafayette parish, and in later years 
was a merchant in New Orleans. He died in that city in 1S75. The mother of 
our subject is also deceased. 



208 J9 O inil WES T LO LIS I ANA : 

O. Bertiand is a planter and stock raiser by occupation, and in this he has 
prospered, and is one of Lafayette's well-to-do farmers. He is a member 
of the Catholic church. Thou<rh not active in political affairs he takes an in- 
terest in tiie manipulation of local matters. 

J. G. BPJRTRAND, Duson.— J. G. Bertrand is a native of Lafayette 
parish, born July 1862. He is the son of L. G. and Celestine (DeValcourt) 
Bertrand, both natives of Louisiana. L. G. Bertrand was a stock raiser and 
planter during the whole of his life. Several years prior to his death he was 
engaged in the grocery business in New Orleans, in which place he died from 
yellow fever in 1879. His wife died the same year. 

J. G. Bertrand was married at the age of eighteen yt-ars to Miss Azelie 

Arcenaux. Since his marriage Mr. Bertrand has followed the dual business of 

merchant and farmer. His store at Duson Station is well patronized. Mr. 

Bertrand has a good farm of a hundred acres of land at this place, which he 

cultivates principally in cotton and corn. Mr. Bertrand is an active business 

man, as the success which has attended his business undertakings through life 

attests. He and wife are the parents of five children, viz : Ella M., Claud J., 

Leo, Edward and Daisy. The family are all Catholics. 

« 
» * 

ERNESBT ERNARD, Lafayette. — ErnestBernard, a prosperous planter 
and merchant of ward three, is a native of Lafayette parish, born April 13, 1839. 
He is the son of Gerassin and Eugenie (Mouton) Bernard, both natives of 
Louisiana. Gerassin Bernard was a successful planter of Lafayette parish. He 
died 1867. The mother of our subject is still living. Ernest Bernard is the fourth 
of a family of seven living children, viz : Athenaise, Numa, Clemence, Alzina, Al- 
cide, Blanche. Mr. Bernard received a common school education in Lafayette 
parish. He was a soldier in the late Civil War, having enlisted in 1862 in Com 
pany A, Twenty-sixth Louisiana Infantry. He participated in the battle at 
Vicksburg, and was in a number of skirmishes. He served until the close of 
the war, 1865. He has always been a planter, and in this vocation he has pros- 
pered. He owns one thousand acres of land where he resides, four hundred of 
which he cultivates. His plantation is well improved and he has a combined 
cotton gin and corn mill. 

Mr. Bernard was married in 1861 to Miss Laure Missonnie, of Lafayette 
parish. They are the parents of two children, viz : Clara, wife of Dr. J. P. 
Francez; and Philomene, wife of D. Cayret Yuner. Mrs. Bernard died October 
29, 1889. 

PIERRE BERNARD, Caren-cro.— Pierre Bernard, one of the most 
prominent citizens of Lafayette parish, living three miles east of Carencro, was 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRArHICAL. 209 

born in the parish April 8, 1837. ^^ ^^ '^e son of Louis H. and Eliza Bernard, 
natives of the parish. Lewis H. Bernard was born April 4, 1805, and died 
November 29, 1852. His wife was born October 3, 1814, and died November 
29, 1890. They were married in Lafayette parish, and made this their home 
during the remainder of their lives. Louis F. Bernard was a successful planter, 
and at his death left an estate valued at $100,000. His father, Jean Bernard, 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. 
There were born to the marriage of Louis H. and Eliza Bernard ten children, 
five of whom are now living, two sons and three daughters. Our subject was 
the fourth child. 

Pierre Bernard spent his school days at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. 
At the age of twenty-one years he engaged in agricultural pursuits, attending to 
his father's business and plantation, and in this he continued until the breaking 
out of the war. In 1861 he joined General Mouton's Cavalry, and soon after 
enlisted in the Eighteenth Infantry, Capt. Smith's company, under the same 
general. He participated in many battles, among which may be mentioned 
Bisland, Lafourche, Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. He was wounded at the 
battle of Mansfield, receiving a minnie ball in the right leg. After the war he 
began farming, in which occupation he has continued ever since. He owns a 
plantation a few miles east of Carencro. In 1862 he was married to Miss 
Ameranthe Bernard, daughter of Vilsia Bernard, of St. Martin parish. She 
died March 14, 1865, having become the mother of one daughter, Feliciana, 
wife of A. Breaux. In November, 187 1, Pierre Bernard married again. Miss 
Augustine Carmouche, of Pointe Coupee parish. She died May i, 1874. 

Our subject is a member of St. Peter's Catholic church at this place. In 
politics he is a democrat. Pierre Bernard's brother, Jean, was also a Con- 
federate soldier. He was on General Ruggles' staff, and was afterward lieu- 
tenant in the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry. He died in 1884, leaving a large 

estate. , 

* » 

LEON BILLAUD, Lafayette. — Leon Billaud, a planter of Ward 3, is 
a native of France, born May 25, 1831. He is the son of John and Rosalee 
(Grizau) Billaud, both natives of France. John Billaud was a wheelwright by 
occupation. He married in France in 1829, and became the father of five 
children, two sons and three daughters, four of whom are now living, the sub- 
ject of this sketch being the eldest. John Billaud emigrated from France to 
Louisiana in 1840, arriving in New Orleans Januar}' 8. Shortly afterward he 
located in Lafayette, and there followed his trade until his death in 1879. The 
subject's mother died in 1849. Both were devout members of- the Catholic 
church. 

Leon Billaud was but a boy when his parents came to Louisiana. He was 



2 10 SOUTH WEST L OUISlANA : 

educated in the common schools of Lafayette parish, and when fourteen years 
of age he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of 
years. His chief vocation, however, has been planting. He owns two hundred 
acres of land, with one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. The princi- 
pal products of his farm are cotton and sweet potatoes. The place is a beauti- 
ful one and fertile, and is located a mile west of Lafayette. In connection with 
his plantation Mr. Billaud operates a steam cotton gin, with a capacity for 
ginning fourteen bales of cotton a day. Mr. Billaud was a Confederate soldier 
during the civil war. Enlisting in the infantry in 1862, he served until the close 
of the war. He has married twice; first in 1853 to Miss Malvina Landr\-, a 
native of Lafaj-ette parish, to which marriage were born six children, four sons 
and two daughters. Mrs. Billaud died in 1S67, and Mr. Billaud married again 
in 1869, Mrs. Emma Landry, widow of Desire Landry. One son, Joseph, has 

been born to this union. , 

* • 

^ MARTIAL BILLAUD, Lafayette.— Martial Billaud was born in France, 
August 25, 1834. His father and mother were both natives of that countr}'. 
The}' emigrated to America in 1836. 

Martial Billaud is the fourth of a family of five children. He was married 
in 1857 to Miss Lucy St. Julian. To them have been born five children, three 
boys and two girls. He entered the Confederate army in 1863, and served dur- 
ing the whole war in the Twentj'-sixth Louisiana regiment, Major Legarde com- 
manding. The subject is a planter, owning thirteen hundred acres of land. He 
cultivates principally sugar and cotton. He has a large sugar mill, and employs 
more than one liundred men on his place. He is the importer of the first Hol- 
stein cattle brought here, and is giving much attention to their domestication. 

* 

* * 

y JOSEPH C. BREAUX, Lafayette.— Joseph C. Breaux,a prosperous farmer 
and stock raiser of the eighth ward, was born in the parish of Lafayette, where 
he was reared and educated. Mr. Breaux has given his attention exclusively to 
the business in which he is at present engaged. Since starting out in life for 
himself, he has succeeded, and is comfortably situated as regards finances. Mr. 
Breaux is united in marriage with Miss Donlese Bertrand. Eight bright chil- 
dren have been born to them. Mr. Betrand and family' are Catholics. His 
political views accord with the present principles of democracy. 



NUMA BREAUX, Carencro. — Numa Breaux was born in Lafayette 
parish, February 21, 1838. He is the son of Pierre R. and Calice (Arceneaux) 
Breaux, both natives of Lafayette parish. Pierre R. Breaux died in 1S64 at the 
age of sixty-two years. He was during his lifetime a large planter and stock 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 211 

raiser. He amassed a considerable fortune, and at the time of his death owned 
three thousand acres of land, a large amount of stock, and one hundred and 
twenty-five slaves. The mother of our subject is still living, being now eighty- 
six years of age. She is well preserved and in good health, and boasts of 
never having taken medicine. 

The subject is the third child, and the onl}' son now living of a family of 
eight children. His other brother, William, was killed during the war. He en- 
listed in 1861 in the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, Confederate States Army, and 
was killed in Hentleyville in 1863. He had been a participant in twent-eight 
active engagements prior to his death. 

The subject of this sketch was educated at Cape Girardeau, where he pur- 
sued a three j'ears' course. Upon his return home from college, he served as 
deputy clerk for four years. October 2, 1861, he joined the Second Louisiana 
Cavalry, C. S. A., in which he served until the close of the war. He participated 
in the battles of Bisland, Berwick Bay, Bayou Lafourche, Mansfield and 
Pleasant Hill. He was on picket duty from Berwick Baj' to Mansfield. His 
regiment was disbanded at Alexandria, Louisiana. After his return from the war, 
Mr. Breaux located where he now resides and began stock raising. He at 
present owns three hundred and fifty acres, situated three miles west of 
Carencro, which he cultivates principally in cotton. His plantation is a 
beautiful one, and well improved. There are on it two mineral springs — 
the only springs of the kind in this section. The house in which Mr. Breaux 
resides is an old mansion of truly Southern architecture, built one hundred and 
fifty years ago. 

Mr. Breaux has been active in local public affairs of his section, and 
served for a while as police juror from his ward. He was married, in 
1861, to Miss Marthe C. Mouton, daughter of Louis V. Mouton, a planter and 
member of the distinguished Mouton famih', a histor}? of which appears in this 
work. Mr. Mouton died in 1861, and his wife in March, 1890. Her children 
and grandchildren at the time of her death numbered one hundred and sixty. 
Mr. and Mrs. Breaux are the parents of two children : Esdras, a planter of La- 
fayette parish, and Eloise. The family are Catholics. 

* 
* » 

J. E. BONIN, Broussardville. — The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Lafayette parish, as were both his parents. His father died in 1S79, and his 
mother in 1861. 

Mr. Bonin received his education in the common schools of Lafayette par- 
ish. He was reared on a plantation, and since he has been in business for him- 
self he has followed the vocation of planting exclusively. His farm consists of 
one hundred and fift}- acres of excellent land, in a high state of cultivation and 
well improved. Mr. Bonin was united in marriage, in 1861, with Miss 



212 SOUTHWES7' LOUISIANA : 

Landry. They are tlie parents of seven children, all living. Mr. Bonin is a 
member of the Catholic ciuirch. 



WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Lafayette. — William Campbell, attorney at 
law, is a native of Lafa3-ette parish, born October, 1855. He is the son of 
William and Alida (Guidry) Campbell. Wm. Campbell, Sr., was a native of 
Pittsburg, Penns3'lvania, but removed with his parents to Lafayette when a boy. 
His father, John Campbell, was a surveyor and school teacher, and for a num- 
ber of years served as deput}' government surveyor of Southwest Louisiana. 
Perhaps no man waslpetter acquainted with this section of the State than he. It 
was chiefly under his tutorage that William, our subject's father, received his 
education. William Campbell, Sr., was a merchant of Lafayette during the 
■whole of his life. He was a member of the Senate immediately after the war. 
He died in 1884. The mother of our subject died when he was an infant. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary education in the schools of 
Lafayette ; later he attended St. Charles College, at Grand Coteau, where he 
remained for five years. Immediately after leaving school he became deputy 
sheriff of the parish, and afterward served for one term as sheriff. He studied 
law in the office of Hon. M. E. Girard, of the Lafayette bar, and in 1889 he grad- 
uated from the law school of the Tulane University. He was admitted to the 
practice in New Orleans and immediately afteward located in Lafayette, where 
he has since practised his profession. Mr. Campbell does a good practice and 
is a rising atttorney. He is a married man. 

* * 

EMILE CREIGHTON, Lafayette.— Emile Creighton was born in Lou- 
isiana, 1849. His father, John R. Creighton, was a native of Louisiana, as was 
also his mother, Eupheme Mouton. His parents were married in Lafayette par- 
ish, 1835, and to them were born four children, two sons and two daughters, the 
subject of this sketch being the second in order of birth. 

At the age of sixteen years Mr. Creighton entered the Confederate service, 
enlisting in 1864, in the Twenty-sixth Louisiana Regiment, under Colonel Wil- 
liam Crow, and served until the war closed. Mr. Creighton has given his atten- 
tion to planting since the war. He now owns two hundred acres of land, which 
he cultivates chief!}' in cotton. He also Operates a large cotton gin. Mr. 
Creighton was married, in 1890, to Miss Elizabeth Louiel. 

» 

• • 

JUDGE JOHN CLEGG, Lafayette.— Judge John Clegg, judge of the 
court of appeals for the third circuit of Louisiana, is a native of North Carolina, 
born 1852. He removed with his parents to Louisiana in 1859. J'^'^g^ d'^go 
is the son of Baxter and T. L. (Collins) Clegg, both natives of North Carolina. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 213 

His father is of Welsh and Irish parentage, and his mother of English. Rev. 
Baxter Clegg was a prominent minister of the Methodist church. For a period 
of years Rev. Clegg was president of the board of education of North Carolina. 
He founded a school of high grade in that State, which, with a competent 
corps of teachers, he conducted for a number of years with success. In 1859 
he was made president of Homer College, Homer, Louisiana, in which capacity 
he served for a number of years. He died in 1SS4. Judge Clegg's mother 
died in 1886. 

The subject of our sketch was wholly educated under the tutorage of his 
father. In 1872 he began the study of law in the office of Hon. M. E. Girard, 
of Lafayette. He subsequently pursued a course of law study in Tulane 
University, from which institution he graduated in 1874. He was admitted to 
the bar before the supreme court at Opelousas, June, 1874, ^^^ immediately 
after he began the practice of law in Lafayette. He was secretary of the 
Senate from 1877 until 1881, inclusive, when he was made district judge and 
served three years. Upon the expiration of his term. Judge Clegg was elected 
by the General Assembly judge of the court of appeals, for the third circuit, 
comprising the parishes of Grant, Rapides, Avoyelles, St. Landry, Lafayette, 
Iberia, Vermilion, Cameron, Calcasieu, Acadia and Vernon. His term of office 
will expire in 1892. Judge Clegg was married in 1S82 to Miss Mary Cage, the 
accomplished daughter of Albert G. Cage, of Terrebonne parish. 

» » 

HON. OVERTON CADE, Youngsville. — In the early days of Louisiana, 
when this section of the country w;is comparatively a vast wilderness, Robert 
Cade, father of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, 
located near where Hon. Overton Cade now resides. Robert Cade was a native 
of South Carolina. His name was well known, as he figured prominently in the 
political affairs of Louisiana, having been in active political life until within a 
few years of his death. He was elected, in 1840^ representative of Lafayette 
parish, in the lower house of the Legislature. In 1852 he was elected State 
Senator. His death occurred in 1859. ^i^ wife and three sons survived him. 

Hon. Overton Cade, the subject of this sketch, was born in the year 1852, 
and was educated at the University of the South. Mr. Cade has been engaged 
in agricultural pursuits since embarking in business until the present time. His 
plantation near Youngsville is one of the finest in this section of the country. 
It consists of sixteen hundred acres of land, one-half of which is under cultiva- 
tion, and the remainder he uses as a pasture for grazing a large amount of 
stock. Mr. Cade has also, in partnership with his brothers, C. T. and W. 
Cade, a large ranch in Texas. 

Mr. Cade has always been an active participant in public affairs and is 
well informed on all the issues of the da}-. He was elected, in 1879, Demo 



214 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

cratic Representative to the lower house of the Legislature from Lafayette 
parish, and was reelected in 1888. His services as a legislator have been highly 
appreciated, and few men enjoy a more united cooperative constituency than 
he. In 1879 ^''- Cade was united in marriage with Miss Smedes, a native of 
Mississippi. The}' are the parents of three children. 

» • 
•^ A. O. CLARK, M. D., Ridge.— Dr. A. O. Clark was born in St. Landry 
parish, Louisiana, September 9, 1858. He is the son of Valentine and Frances 
(McCleland) Clark, natives of Mississippi and Louisiana respectively. The 
subject of this sketch is the oldest of a family of eleven brothers and three 
sisters, six of whom are now living. Our subject's mother died when he was a 
small boy, and his father married a second time. Miss Catharine Clark; to this 
marriage were born three children. Valentine Clark died in 1870. He had 
been a planter and stock dealer the whole of his life. 

Dr. Clark received his earl}' education in Opelousas, and subsequently 
became a student at Blackman's College, New Orleans, from which institution 
he graduated in the spring of 1878. Shortly after leaving college Dr. Clark 
embarked in a mercantile business in partnership with Messrs. Hoffpauir & 
Green. In this he was engaged for a short while, when he disposed of his inter- 
est and engaged in stock dealing, in which he continued for five years. 

In 1878 he married Miss Alice Lambert, daughter of David and Elmire 
(Andrus) Lambert, of this parish. In 1885 Dr. Clark entered the medical 
school of the Tulane University, from which institution he graduated in 1887. 
Immediately upon the completion of his studies Dr. Clark began the practice 
of his profession in partnership with his brother-in-law. Dr. Lyons. The 
doctor has succeeded in obtaining a lucrative practice, and he is a gentle- 
man who keeps well up with his profession. As a practitioner he ranks de- 
servedly high. In connection with his profession the Doctor also superintends 
his plantation, which yields a handsome income. Dr. Clark and wife are the 
parents of two sons and two daughters, viz: Oran, Mattie, Lelia, Michael. 

* 
« » 

ERNEST CONSTANTIN, Lafayette. —Ernest Constantin, livery 
man, was born in Lafayette parish, April, 1846. He is the son of John and A. 
(Richard) Constantin, natives of Lafayette. John Constantine was quite an 
extensive planter and stock raiser. He died in Lafayette parish in 1877. The 
mother of our subject is still living. 

Ernest Constantin is one of a family of three children, one daughter and 
two sons. He is now the only surviving member of the family. He received 
his education in the common schools of Lafayette parish. Until within the last 
few years he was engaged in farming and stock raising. At present he conducts 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 215 

a liver}' business in Lafayette. Mr. Constantin has been successful financially. 
He owns three hundred acres of good land in Lafaj-ette parish, besides business 
houses and lots in the town. He was married in 1866 to Miss Alice Begnaud. To 
them were born one son and one daughter, Alcee (deceased) and Mar}'. Mrs. 
Constantin died in 1868, and ten years later Mr. Constantin was married to 
Mrs. Eugenie Billaud, daughter of John BiUaud. Mr. Constantin and wife are 
members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the K. of H. 

* * 

P. A. CHIASSON, Scott. — P. A. Chiasson, planter and merchant, was 
born in Lafayette parish, April, 1853. He is the son of John B. and Eline 
(Begnaud) Chiasson, both natives of Louisiana. John B. Chiasson was a pros- 
perous stock raiser and farmer in Lafayette parish. He died November 26, 
1867; his wife survived until 1S87. They reared a family of ten children, five 
sons and five daughters. 

P. A. Chiasson received the benefit of a good common school education in 
the schools of his locality. His parents removed to Texas when he was five 
years of age, returning to Lafayette after having resided there for seven years. 
With this exception, Mr. Chiasson has spent his whole life where he now resides. 
He began life as a planter, and subsequently added a general stock of merchan- 
dise, which business he now conducts. His plantation consists of four hundred 
acres, three hundred of which are under cultivation, the principal products being 
rice and cotton. Mr. Chiasson's mercantile business amounts to about eight 
thousand dollars annuall}'. 

He was married, in 1876, to Miss Mary L., daughter of Leon and Melvina 
(Landry) Billeaud, of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of six children, 
viz: Paul A., John L., Eli G., Joseph M., Mary L. ; one died in infancy. 

» 

* * 

^ PAUL L. DE CLOUET, Lafayette.— Paul L. De Clouet, a planter of the 
third ward, was born in St. Martin parish July, 1841. He is the son of Gen- 
eral Alexandre De Clouet and Marie Louise de St. Clair. 

General De Clouet died in Lafayette parish June 26, 1890. He was born 
June 9, 181 2, in St. Martin parish. His mother died when he was but an infant, 
and his aunts, Mesdames Chas. Lastrapes and Chevalier Dellomme, and his 
grandfather and grandmother Fuselier took charge of him and raised him. 

General De Clouet w-as educated at Bardstown, Kentuck}', and George- 
town College, Washington, D. C. He graduated from the first named in- 
stitution in 1829 with high honors, receiving his diploma from the hands of 
Henry Clay, who presided over the exercises of the closing year. After 
leaving school General De Clouet made an extended tour through Europe, 
where he visited relatives and completed his education. Upon his return 



216 SOUllIWEST LOUISIANA : 

home he studied huv in the office of Judj^e Edward Simon, an eminent jurist; 
but a<^ricultural pursuits were seemingl}^ more congenial to his taste, and he 
abandoned the study of law and became a planter. In this he was remarkably 
successful, and he accumulated quite a large fortune. Though well qualified 
for political life by his birth, talents, and education. General De Clouet was too 
fondly attached to the quiet of home to forego his enjoyments. He had little 
ambition for political favor, but by those who knew him he was so highly re- 
vered that his public services were demanded at their hands. He was soon 
drawn into political life, and became one of the boldest and most effective cham- 
pions of the Whig party. He first appeared in politics in 1837, when he was 
elected to the Legislature. Subsequently he served in the Senate and House 
for several terms. In 1849, during the exciting period when the Democratic 
and Whig parties were contending for supremacy in the State, General De 
Clouet was honored with the charge of standard bearer of the Whig party in the 
gubernatorial campaign of that x'ear. These were the halcyon days of the Re- 
public. In Congress Clay, Calhoun, Webster and Hayne met in heated de- 
bate in defending their respective causes, wliile in Louisiana her gifted sons of 
that day were not wanting in their efforts to obtain the balance of power. Gen- 
eral De Clouet was a most attractive speaker, and the campaign was a ver}' in- 
.teresting one. The election resulted in the seating of General Joseph Walker 
of Rapides parish, in the gubernatorial chair. General De Clouet was not re- 
tarded, however, in his earnest efforts to promote the welfare of his partv or the 
State, and he clung with devotion to the Whig party till, overwhelmed with de- 
feat, it passed out of existence. From that time he advocated the principles of 
Democracy with the same fervent zeal. 

He was elected, in 1852, one of senatorial delegates to the convention 
which framed the constitution of that year. In 1861 he was chosen member 
of the Secession Convention. lie soon after represented the State at large 
in the Confederate Congress, and was one of the signers of the constitution 
of the Confederate States. 

At the close of the war. General De Clouet returned to his plantation near 
St. Martinsville and devoted himself to retrieving the fortune which had been 
severely shattered by the war. But his life of quiet happiness was only of short 
duration. The turbulent state of affairs in Louisiana demanded his services. 
General De Clouet strained every nerve to meet and defeat the threatening 
issues, and foremost among the names of those to whose wisdom these great 
results are to be attributed, may be placed that of General Alexandre De Clouet. 

Upon the installation of General NichoUs as governor of Louisiana, Gen- 
eral De Clouet, without asking recognition for the many services which he had 
rendered to the people of his State, withdrew from public life, and, secluded in 
his home, he retired to the domestic quiet that had been his life's dream. Here 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 217 

he lived on his plantation — a lovely spot near Bayou Vermilion — with his happy 
family and surrounded by admiring friends, to whom he dispensed, as in by-gone- 
days, the hospitality of his roof. Age crept upon him with its attending train of 
physical infirmities, though it left unimpaired his bright intellect. The evening of 
his life was thus spent in resignation to a decree that was higher than his 
own will. 

General De Clouet had married early in life, and became the fatlier of 
thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters. Of these six are now living. 
His widow died on January i8, 1891, in Lafayette parish, where she resided 
with her son, Paul, the subject of this sketch. 

Paul L. De Clouet took a collegiate and military course in the University of 
Virginia and the Virginia Military Institute. He was a soldier in the Civil War. 
having enlisted, in 1861, in Company G, Fifty-ninth Virginia Infantry, in wliich he 
served during six months, as sergeant, in Virginia, and afterwards became first 
lieutenant of an infantry company, raised in St. Martin parish and attached 
to the Orleans Guard Battalion. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the 
battle of Shiloh, and was consigned to prison at Johnson's Island, where he was 
confined for six months. He afterward joined Capt. Corney's Artillery, First 
Louisiana Field Battery, and here served until the close of the war in the Trans- 
Mississippi Department. He was in the battles at Bisland, Mansfield, Pleasant 
Hill, Simmsport, Yellow Bayou, and numerous skirmishes in Virginia. 

Paul De Clouet was married, in 1865, to Miss Jane Roman, of St. Jam.es 
parish, Louisiana ; born 1842. Six children were born to this union, four sons and 
two daughters, three of whom are living, viz : George H., Edwidge, Lizima. Mr. 
De Clouet, in connection with his brother, Alexander, and sisters, owns four 
thousand acres of land in two plantations, located, one in Lafayette and one in 
St. Martin parishes. He is an extensive stock dealer, and now has on his planta- 
tion a large number of a fine grade of cattle, horses, and hogs. 

Mrs. De Clouet, an accomplished and most estimable lady, died July 24, 

1878. Paul De Clouet has inherited many noble traits of character prominent 

in his father, and is a polished and scholarly gentleman. 

* 
t/ » * 

JUDGE C. DEBAILLON, L.\f.\yette. — One of the leading attorneys ot 
this section of Louisiana is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of 
this sketch. Judge Debaillon was born in St. Landry parish, Louisiana. Both 
paternal and maternal grandparents were French Royalists, who fled from their 
native land and came to America, settling near Opelousas, Louisiana, at which 
place many of their descendants are still to be found. Judge Debaillon's pater- 
nal grandfather held a commission in the French marine ; and when the Royalists 
regained control he returned to his native land. 



218 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

^ C. Debaillon was reared in St. Landry parish, and received his literary ed- 
ucation in St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, graduating therefrom in 1863. 
Subsequently he studied law under Judge Eraste Mouton, and was admitted to 
the bar before the supreme court at Opelousas, in 1870. Judge Debaillon is a 
man of marked characteristics and superior attainments, and he rose quickly to 
a distinguished place in the Louisiana bar. He was elected Judge of the Twenty- 
fifth Judicial District in 1884, and was reelected without opposition in 1888. The 
pressure of his practice caused him to resign this office in June, 188S. Since 
that time he has aimed rather to retire from than to increasfe his labors. But 
his ability as an attorney secures him a choice and remunerative practice un- 
solicited. , 

» ♦ 

V D. A. DIMITRY, Carencro. — Dracos A. Dimitry, railroad and express 
agent at Carencro station, is a native of Louisiana, born in New Orleans in 1859. 
He is the son of M. D. and Caroline (Powers) Dimitry, natives of New Orleans, 
Louisiana, and Waltham, Mass., respectively. M. D. Dimitry was a principal 
of the New Orleans Female Academy for a number of years. He afterward 
became assistant superintendent of the Gulf, Western Texas & Pacific Railroad 
Company, which position he filled for some time. He was a member of the 
Seven Wise Men and of the L O. O. F. He died in 1873; his widow still sur- 
vives him and now resides in New Orleans. Mr. and Mrs. Dimitry were the 
parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. Three sons and 
two daughters are now living, viz: Theodore J., Alexander J., Mary C, wife 
of J. T. Block; Clino S., wife of Capt. J. Gale. 

The subject of this sketch received his education at the Lusher High School, 
New Orleans, Louisiana. He was married in that city in 1882, to Miss Lizzie 
Ruth, a native of Washington, D. C, daughter of Capt. Fenwick Ruth. Capt. 
Ruth was a soldier in the Mexican war, and there obtained his title of captain. To 
Mr. Dimitry and wife have been born four children, two of whom are living, viz : 
Dracos and Lizzie. Our subject has been connected with the Southern Pacific 
Railroad Company for fourteen years, acting as agent and day operator. He 
formerly had charge of the Southern Pacific signal station at Shell Island, for 
eight years, and in 1888 took charge of his present position. He is a member 
of the American Legion of Honor, St. Mary's Council, 1161. He and family 
are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Dimitry has always been a staunch 

democrat. « 

* » 

•^ VICTOR E. DUPUIS, Carencro.— Victor E. Dupuis, a successful sugar 
planter and manufacturer, lives a mile north of Carencro. He removed to the 
place of his present residence twenty-two years ago, from New Orleans. In 
1882 he erected a sugar house, and since that time has given his chief attention 
to the manufacture and cultivation of sugar. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 219 

Mr. Dupuis was born in Havre, France, June 13, 1S31. He is the son 
of Francois and Arthemise (Armant) Dupuis. Francois Dupuis was born in 
Havre, France, February 28, 1796, and removed to Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 
1822. There he married tlie mother of our subject, and returned with his wife 
to France, in 1829. In 1840 he returned to Louisiana, and this time located in 
New Orleans, where he died in 1863, at the age of sixty-seven 3'ears. While 
in New Orleans he conducted a vermicelli and macaroni factory. The mother 
of our subject died in 1866, at the age of fifty-two years. Both were members 
of the Catholic church. They became the parents of four children, of whom 
the subject of this sketch is the second child. 

Victor E. Dupuis received his education in New Orleans, and was engaged 
with his father in business until 1864, when he became engaged in engineering 
in New Orleans. After removing to Carencro, until 1882 he was engaged in 
farming. Mr. Dupuis was married, in 1858, to Miss Celeste Magnon, of New 
Orleans. They are the parents of seven living children, five sons and two 
daughters, viz: Victoria, widow of E. V. Guidray; Edmond, Charles, Mathilde, 
wife of Harry Barrenger, a painter in Houma, La; George, Leonie and Sidney. 
Mr. Dupuis is president of the Farmers' Union at Carencro. He and family 
are members of the Catholic church. 



ALFRED A. DELHOMME, Scott.— A. A. Delhomme, planter, was 
born in Lafayette parish, March, 1852. He is one of eleven children, seven 
brothers and four sisters, born to Alexander and Olive (Breaux) Delhomme. 
Both of his parents are natives of Lafayetle parish. Alexander Delhomme has 
made farming his exclusive vocation, and in this he has been remarkably suc- 
cessful. His plantation consists of six hundred acres of fertile land, well im- 
proved. 

The subject of this sketch was married, in 1879, '^^ Eleline Mouton, daugh- 
ter of Alfred and Zellia Mouton. Mr. Delhomme has been a planter during the 
whole of his business career. He owns a good plantation of one hundred acres, 
where he resides. He was appointed police juror from Ward i, in 1887, and is 
the present incumbent of that office. He is a prosperous planter and a worthy 
citizen. Mrs. Delhomme died in 1882, having become the mother of one daugh- 
ter, Eleline Z. In 1886 Mr. Delhomme was married to Euchuriste Mouton. 
To them has been born one son, Wilfred Francois. 

* 
* » 

VIOR DUHON, Scott. — Vior Duhon was born in Lafayette parish , Louisi- 
ana, in June, 1843. He is the son of Placide and Arsene (Guidry) Duhon ; 
both natives of Louisiana. To them were born four children; Vior, the only 
son and three daughters. 



220 SOU! HWEST LOUISIANA: 

Our subject was reared by his uncle, S. Guidry. He began life for him- 
self at the age of twenty-one as a hired hand on a farm. When twenty- 
four years of age he was married to Elvira Foreman. Their union has been 
blessed with ten children, three sons and seven daughters. Mr. Duhon owns 
five hundred and fifty acres of land, twenty-five of which are cultivated, chiefly 
in cotton and corn. Mr. Duhon is one of Lafaj-ette's most highly respected 
citizens and successful farmers. He is a generous contributor to schools, 
churches and all enterprises for the public good. 

v^ ALEAXNDER L. DURIO, CARE^•CRo.— Alexandre L. Durio, planter, liv- 
ing in the sixth ward, is a native of Louisiana, born in St. Martin parish, October 
30, 1836. He is the son of Alexandre and Adeline (Chautin) Durio both 
natives of Louisiana. Alexandre Durio, Sr., was a planter. He married in St. 
Martin parish and became the father of seven children, four sons and three 
daughters, of whom four are now living, our subject being the oldest son. Mr. 
Durio was justice of the peace of St. Martin parish for a number of years. 
He died in 1841. His wife died in 1839. They were both members of the 
Calliolic church. 

The subject of this sketch was married in St. Martin parish, 1859, to Miss 
Azelie David, a native of Louisiana. They became the parents of nine children, 
six sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living. Mrs. Durio died in 
1884. She was a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Durio married again, 
in 1889, Miss Aurelia Guidry. 

Mr. Durio was a soldier in the Confederate States service, having, in 1861, 
enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Louisiana Regiment, of which he was first 
lieutenant. He was in the battles of Shiloh and Mansfield and numerous 
skirmishes. After the war he returned home and was engaged in merchandis- 
ing at Arnaud ville, Louisiana, from 1866 to 1889, when he sold out his store, and 
now gives his attention to farming and dealing in live stock. Mr. Durio has been 
prominent in politics for many years. While a resident of St. Landry parish he 
represented the parish in the House of Representatives. He keeps himself well 
informed on the issues of the day. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of 
land, one hundred of which he cultivates principal^ in corn, cotton and sweet 
potatoes. His plantation is located near Carencro Bayou, has a fine dwelling 
upon it, and is well improved generally. 

* 

» * 

HOMER DURIO, Carencro. — Homer Durio was born in St. Landry 
parish, Louisiana, August 16, 1863. He is the son of A. L. Durio, whose 
sketch appears above. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 223 

The subject of this sketch is the third of a large family of children. He 
received his education in St. Landry parish, and in 1883 engaged with his uncle, 
Adelin Durio, as a clerk at Carencro. A 5'ear later he purchased the business, 
and has since conducted it with good success. His business of the present year 
( 1890), will amount to $35,000. Mr. Durio was married, February 25, 1884, to 
Miss Irma Voorhies, of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of three children, 
all living, viz: Paul, Frank. Homer, Jr. 

» « 

CLEOBULE C. DOUCET, Lafayette.— Cleobule C. Doucet was born 
in the parish of Lafayette, July 8, 1841. His parents were both natives of La- 
favette parish. The father was born in 1804 ''^"^ died in 1867. His mother 
(lied in 1862 at an advanced age. 

Cleobule C. Doucet, as was his lather, is a planter and stock raiser. He 
was married, in 1865, to Miss Amile Guidry, and to them have been born seven 
children, all living. Mr. Doucet has always been active in political affairs, 
though he is not a politician for personal aggrandizement. 

* 

t^ E. L. ESTILETTE, Carencro. — E. L. Estilette, parish assessor, was born 
at Grand Coteau. St. Landry parish, August 7, 1842. He is the son of Edward 
Estilette. a native of St. Landry parish. Edward Estilette was a merchant and 
hotel proprietor at Grand Coteau. He died at Grand Coteau in 1847, when E. 
L. was but a bo}'. His widow still survives him, and is now eighty-five years of 
age. E. L. Estilette's grandfather, Vital Estilette, was probabl}' a native of 
France, who came to America early in life. He participated in the War of 
1812. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, seven brothers 
and two sisters. He spent his school da3's at Grand Coteau, and received a liberal 
education. In June, 1861, Mr. Estilette joined the Confederate cause, enlisting 
first for twelve months in the Eighth Louisiana Regiment, and served through 
the whole war. His field of operation was in Virginia, and he was a participant 
in many hotly contested engagements of the campaigns in that State. In the 
Battle of the Wilderness he received a gunshot wound in the hand which ren- 
dered him unfit for active service. At his own request he was detailed to an- 
ticipate deserters, with the rank of lieutenant. He remained in this service until 
the war closed. He was taken prisoner near Winchester and carried to Harris- 
burg. Pennsylvania, where he was detained for a short while, and afterward con- 
fined in prison at Fort Delaware for many months. 

Ater the war Mr. Estilette opened a mercantile business in Grand Coteau. 
In 1867, having been made deputy sheriff of St. Landry parish, he retired from 
his business. For several years subsequent to this he was engaged as sales- 
14a 



224 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

man in a mercantile house in Opelousas, and later he conducted a business 
there on his own account. He was also engaged for a short while in farming 
near Opelousas. After a brief period he was made justice of the peace, and 
later appointed assessor of Lafayette parish, having removed to Carencro in 
1887. Mr. Estilette was married, in 1869, to Miss Blanche Bernard, a native of 
Lafayette. To this union si.x children have been born. Mr. Estilette is a 

democrat in politics. , 

« • 

"^ JEAN PIERRE FRANCEZ, M. D., Carencro.— Jean Pierre Francez, 
M. D., was born in Carencro, June 30, 1849. He is the son of R. J. and 
Adele (Bernard) Francez. Dr. R. J. Francez was born near Terbes, 
France, March 12, 1817. He received his literary education in his native town, 
and is a graduate of a medical college at Toulouse. Immediately after his gradu- 
ation, 1839, ^""^ removed to East St. Louis, IlHnois, where he practised his pro- 
fession until his removal to Carencro, in 1844, since when he has devoted his 
attention to his profession at this place. During the Civil War hewas for a time 
attached to the Twent3'-eighth Louisiana Infantry as surgeon. Dr. Francez has 
been successful, not only as a physician, but as a business man. He owns in Lafa- 
yette parish about 1000 acres of land. He twice married; first, 1847, to the 
mother of our subject. She died in 1853, and in 1855 Dr. Francez married 
Miss Athenaise Bernard, a cousin of his former wife. To the first union there 
were born three children, Dr. J. P., Joseph, and a younger child, which only 
Hved to be three years of age. To the latter marriage were born thirteen 
children, ten of whom are now living. Dr. Francez has given to each of his 
children a good education. Three of them are at present attending college in 
New Orleans. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the University of 
Louisiana, now Tulane, New Orleans, graduating from that institution March 
18, 1871. Desiring to receive the benefits of foreign travel, and the finished 
education which only the schools of the Old World afford, Dr. Francez imme- 
diately after graduating went to Paris, France, where he pursued his studies in 
the Medical Facult}^ for a period of twenty-two months. Subsequently he con- 
tinued his studies in Montpelier and Toulouse for a similar length of time. He 
returned to Lafayette parish in 1875, and the same year commenced the practice 
of medicine at Carencro, to which he has since devoted his whole atteniion. 
He has a very e.xtensive practice. 

July 27, 1875, he was married to Miss Abbedie, of Lafayette parish. She 
died April 27, 1881, having become the mother of three children, two daugh- 
ters, Grazellia and Adele, and a son, Laennec, who died in infancy. The 
Doctor married a second time, in 1881, Miss Clara Bernard, daughter of Ernest 
Bernard. They are the parents of one son, Laennec Henri. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 225 

Dr. Francez is one of the most progressive citizens of Lafayette parish, and 
is a leader in all matters pertaining to the development of his section. Upon 
the organization, in 1878, of the Emigration Society, he was elected president, 
and served for one year in that capacity. He has been since 1882 a distinguished 
member of the Attakapas Medical Association, and has served as its vice 
president. He has been for several years, and is now, a member of the parish 
school board, and takes a great interest in educational matters. Dr. Francez, 
in politics, is an ardent democrat, and active in the manipulation of party affairs. 
He was a delegate to the Gubernatorial Convention in Baton Rouge, in 1888, 
which nominated Francis T. Nicholls for Governor. He was elected the first 
mayor of the town of Carencro, August 10, 1882. 



'' ROMAN FRANCEZ, Carencro. — Roman Francez was born in Lafayette 
parish, August 5, 1S56. He is the son of Dr. R. J. Francez, of whom mention 
is made in the sketch of Dr. J. P. Francez. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a large family of children. He received 
his education at Grand Coteau, and at the age of seventeen years began life as a 
civil engineer. He was first employed by the Morgan railroad and had charge 
of the engineering from New Orleans to Lafayette. Mr. Francez has served as 
parish surveyor since 1878. He has been a surveyor in the employ of the United 
States Government, and is now the oldest deput}' surveyor in the State. He is 
also special timber agent for the district of Louisiana. He owns about twelve 
hundred acres of excellent land, a portion of which is within the corporate limits 
of Carencro. He began dealing in timber in 1890, and is doing a good business 
in this line. 

Mr. Francez was married, in 1880, to Miss Ita Estilette, of Lafa5-ette parish. 
They are the parents of four children, viz: Zacharie, Madeleine, Henry, Alda. 
Mr. Francez is a Free Mason, member of the Lafayette Lodge 145, Hope 
chapter. He is also a member of the Knight Templars of New Orleans, K. of 
P., K. of H., and K. of L. He is a member of the Carencro Fire Department 
and of the Loan and Buildinjr Association. 



PHINAS FOREMAN, Duson.— Phinas Foreman was born, in 1S63, in 
Lafayette parish, Louisiana. He i^ the son of Ralph and Civerine (Duhon) 
Foreman, natives of Louisiana. They were the parents of twelve children. 
Ralph Foreman was a successful farmer of this parish. He died in 1865. His 
wife still survives him and lives with our subject. 

Phinas Foreman was married to Olive Nevar, and they became the parents 
of three daughters, viz: Pearl, Effie, Clodie (deceased). Mrs. Foreman died 
August, 1890. Mr. Foreman owns one hundred and twenty acres of land. 



22f. SO UTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

eighty of them being under cultivation in cotton and corn. He is a thorough 
business man and stands high in the community. He and family are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

^ HON. M. E. GIRARD.— Hon. Michel Eloi Girard was born at Baigne, 
France. September 14, 1828, and died in Lafayette, Louisiana, April 15, 1889. 
He was a son of Dr. Michel Girard, a Frenchman by birth, who came to La- 
fayette parish more than half a centur}' since. M. E. Girard's mother was a 
native of Louisiana. He was an infant when his parents came to Louisiana. 
Young M. E. at an earl}' age was sent to St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, 
where he remained until he was ten 3ears of age, when his father returning to 
France, young Girard completed his education in the Royal College of Angou- 
leme, graduating when eighteen years of age. As a student young Girard was 
noted for his retentive memory, and the zeal and industry which were always 
characteristic of him, aided materially in making him the eminent lawyer he 
became. 

After the death of his father, Mr. Girard returned to Louisiana, to which 
he had become much attached as a boy. On his return voyage the vessel 
on which he was a passenger was wrecked, and he was one of the few on 
board who were rescued. He arrived in New Orleans penniless. From 
there he came to Lafayette parish, where he found man}' friends of his 
father, and numerous relatives of his mother's. Among them he determined 
to make his home. He soon entered the law office of Basil C. Crow, whose 
youngest daughter, Maxime, he subsequently married. As a law student 
young Girard was characterized by the same untiring energy that he exer- 
cised in college, and this, aided by his excellent memory, soon made him 
well versed in the lore of law. He was admitted to the bar before the 
supreme court at Opelousas, 1S49, and shortly after formed a copartnership 
with his preceptor. Devoted to his profession, industrious, punctual, and at- 
tentive to business, he soon became one of the first lawyers of his district. He 
was an able advocate, and combined with his knowledge of civil law a patient 
earnestness and pertinacity. His skill is evidenced in that he rarely ever lost a 
case before the supreme court. The perfect confidence of his clients was the 
tribute to his faithfulness as a counsellor. Mr. Girard never sought political 
preferment, though when liis services were demanded at the hands of his fellow 
citizens, the confidence reposed in him was never forfeited. 

Before and during the war he served as district attorney. He was a mem- 
ber of the Louisiana seceding convention; and again, in 1879, when her best 
talent was so much needed, he was called to the service of the State. 

Mr. Girard was a Mason of great prominence. He was made a member of 
the order at Franklin, Louisiana, in 1855. In 1856 he was appointed senior 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 227 

warden of Hope Lodge, Lafayette, and in the year following he was elected wor- 
shipful master, which position he filled, with the exception of one year, until 1873, 
and was afterward at various times reelected. He was high priest of Gordy 
Chapter, at Opelousas, 1S68 and 1869. He organized Hope Chapter at La- 
fayette, 1870, and was high priest until his death — nineteen j-ears. He was emi- 
nent commander of Girard Commandery for six consecutive years; he was 
elected a life member of the Orleans Commander}' by resolution ; was senior 
warden and deput}' grand commander; was grand high priest of the Grand 
Chapter 1871-72, and was grand master of the Grand Lodge, 1873—74. ^^^ "'''-'' 
chairman of the Committee on Masonic Law and Jurisprudence of the Grand 
Lodge from 1S76 to 18S7, and was chairman of the Committee on Work in the 
same lodge from 1876 until his deatli. June 12, 1879, ^^ reached the liigliest 
degree of Masonry, — 33° A.-.A.-.S.-.R., S.-.J.-.U.-.S.-.A. 

Socially, Mr. Girard was one of the most genial and companionable of men. 
His home was the haven of his ht-art, and a happy one it was. He became 
the father of four children: Dr. P. M. Girard, Mrs. Dr. P. D. Beraud, Crow 

Girard Esq., and Feli.x Girard. 5^ 

» » 

CROW GIRARD, Lafayette. — Crow Girard, attorney, of Lafayette, is 
a native of Lafayette parish, born July 27, 1861. He is a son of M. E. and 
Maxime (Crow) Girard. 

Mr. Girard received his literarj' education in Tennessee, after the comple- 
tion of which he pursued a course of law study in the law department of 
Tulane University, from which institution lie graduated. Upon the completion 
of his course Mr. Girard located in Lafa3-ette, and has here since given his 
entire attention to his law practice. During the session of 1888 he served as 
assistant secretary of the State Senate. 

* * 
^ P. GER.\C, L.\FAYETTE. — P. Gerac, of the firm of Gerac Bros., general 
merchants, is a native of France, born 1837. He is the son of P. and Mary 
f Bellau) Gerac. His father was a planter in France. 

Our subject was reared and educated in France. At the age of sixteen, he 
removed to New Orleans, in company with his brother, and was there engaged 
in business until 1855, when he removed to Lafayette parish. Here he began 
merchandising, in partnership with his brother, in which he has continued ever 
since. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Twenty-second Louis- 
iana Infantr}', and served eight months. He married in Mexico, 1868, Frances 
Chavez, a native of that country. Outside of his mercantile business Mr. Gerac 
does a large business on his plantation. He owns a large amount of land in La- 
fayette parish, and also gives a part of ins attention to the operation of an exten- 
sive gin. He is the father of eight children, five sons and three daughters, and 



228 SOUTHWEST L O UlSIANA : 

is giving them the benefit of a good education. He and famil}' are members of 

the Catholic church. , 

» » 

''' H. D. GUIDRY, M. D., Laf.wette.— Dr. H. D. Guidry, practising 
physician and planter, is a native of Lafayette parish, born 1846. He is the 
son of Alexander and Carmelite (Broussard) Guidry. Both parents were 
natives of Lafayette parish, where his father became a successful planter. 
Ale.xander Guidr\' died in 1862, and his wife in 1848. Both were members of 
the Catholic church. 

Dr. Guidry received his chief literary education at St. Charles College, 
Grand Coteau. He attended the medical college of the Universit}^ of Virginia 
in 1864-65, and subsequently pursued his medical studies in the University of 
Louisiana at New Orleans, from which institution he graduated in 1871. Dr. 
Guidry was a soldier in the late war, in the Seventh Louisiana Cavalry. Upon 
the completion of his studies he began the practice of his profession where he 
now resides. He represented Lafayette parish in the House of Representatives 
in 1879, and has served for six years as parish coroner. The Doctor owns and 
resides on the old home place of Colonel Mouton. The plantation is a good 
one, and under his management it is made to yield a handsome income. 

Dr. Guidry was married, in 1859, ^^ Miss M. IMouton, daughter of the 
late Ex-Governor Mouton. To this union eleven children have been born, ten 

of whom are now living. , 

* * 

LEONARD GUIDRY, Lafayette. — Leonard Guidry is a native of the 
parish of Lafayette, born May 24, 1857. His father, a prosperous farmer, was 
also a native and lifetime resident of Lafayette parish, as also is his mother. 

Mr. Guidry received his education in the public schools of his locality. He 
has given his attention exclusively to his plantation interests. His plantation is 
a fine one and well improved, and it bespeaks the thrift and enterprise of its 
owner. 

Mr. Guidry was married, in 1S85, to Miss Ella Higginbotham. Mr. Guidry 
in religion is a Catholic, in politics a democrat. 

» 

PROF. A. L. GUILBEAU, Carencro.— Professor A. L. Guilbeau, a res- 
ident of Ward 6, is a native of Lafayette parish, born August 3, 1839. He is 
the son of Placide F. and Julie (Cormier) Guilbeau, natives of St. Landry and 
Lafa}'ette parishes, respectively. His father was a planter and stock raiser, which 
occupation he followed all his life. During the war of 181 2 he served as a pri- 
vate. He was married in St. Landry parish in 1817, and became the father of 
eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, of whom four sons and one 
daughter are now living, viz: Valery, Alphonse, Honore, Adolph, Edmonia, wife 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 229 

of Dr. A. F. Broussard, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Guilbeau died Oc- 
tober 31, 1865, his wife surviving him till December, 18S2. Both were members 
of the Catholic church. 

/ The subject of this sketch received his education at St. Charles College and 
at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was married, in 1861, to Miss Alzina Bernard, 
a nati^■e of Louisiana. The}^ are the parents of fifteen children, eight sons and 
seven daughters, nine of whom are now living, six sons and three daughters, 
viz; Edouard, Elia, wife of Alcee Broussard ; Macenas, Eugenia, wife of Robert 
Cormier; Placide, Alfred, Gaston, Nita, Edgard. The others died in infancy. 
Professor Guilbeau served in the late war, enlisting in 1S62 in the Confederate 
States service, Company E, Twenty-sixth Louisiana Infantry, in which, in 1863, 
he was promoted to first lieutenant. He was in the battle of Chickasaw and the 
siege of Vicksburg, w^hich lasted fortj'-eight days. He was taken prisoner at the 
last named place, and was confined in prison for nine months. After being re- 
leased he returned to Louisiana and reentered the service under General Thomas, 
serving until the close of the war, when he returned home and engaged in farm- 
ing and teaching school. He owns one hundred and eight}- arpents of land, 
situated near Carencro, upon which he raises corn and cotton. He and family 
are Catholics. » 

'- A. C. GUILBEAU, Caeencro. — Alphonse C. Guilbeau, mayor of Caren- 
cro, was born in St. Martin parish, November 29, 1859. He is the son of Al- 
phonse I. and Ophelia (Dugas) Guilbeau, natives of St. Martin parish. Mr. 
Guilbeau is a resident of Carencro, Louisiana. The mother of our subject died 
in 1864. 

The subject of this sketch is the third of a family of fourteen children, 
eight of whom are now living. He received his primar}- education in the schools 
of his locality, and later entered St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. From 
1874 to 1881, he was engaged in photography in Lafayette and the adjoining 
parishes. In 1S81 he began a mercantile business at Carencro, to which he 
added, in 1887, a large gin house. G. H. Guilbeau was associated with him in 
his mercantile business. Mr. Guilbeau has either served as councilman or 
mayor ever since the town of Carencro was incorporated. He was married, in 
18S2, to Miss Armide Lague, of New Iberia. They are the parents of four 
children, viz: Delpher, Deirie, Siedly, Mabel. 

* 
» » 

^ ANTOINE GUIDRY, Lafayette. — Antoine Guidry was born in Lafay- 
ette parish, Louisiana, in 1844. He is the son of Antoine and Horlense 
(Broussard) Guidr}', both natives of Lafayette parish, where they were married, 
and became the parents of seven children. Hortense Guidry was a planter by 
occupation. He died in 1S70. Mrs. Guidry, his wife, died in 1875. 



230 SOl'T/JWIiS/- L or /S/ ANA : 

Our subject began life for himself at the age of twenty-one as a farmer, 
and has followed this occupation ever since. He was married in iS66 to Miss 
Matilda Foreman, daughter of Natiian Foreman. Mrs. Guidr)- died in 1875, 
leaving one daughter, Mary E., who lived to be three years old, when she died. 
He then married Martha Singleton, in 1878. To them have been born eight 
daughters and one son: Anna, Hortense, Corinne, Cora, Mamie, Effie, Eunice, 
Walter, deceased, and Agnes, deceased. Mr. Guidry owns four hundred and 
forty acres of land, one hundred and sixty of which he cultivates, principally in 
cotton and corn. He also carries on a mercantile busines on liis plantation, 
established in 1878, which is flourishing and lucrative. Mr. Guidry is a suc- 
cessful business man and farmer. He has always been a liberal contributor 
to schools, churches, and all laudable public enterprises. 



^ ALBERT GUIDRY, Carencro.— Albert Guidry was born in St. Landry 
parish, April 22, 1844. He is the son of Alexander and Azelia (Breaux) 
Guidry. Alexander Guidry was born in Lafayette parish. He was reared and 
educated principally in St. Landry. He was, before the war, a merchant at 
Washington, Louisiana, and later was engaged in planting. During the war he 
served in the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, C. S. A., and participated in the 
battles of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Bisland, Pleasant Hill and Mansfield. 
From a wound which he received at Shiloh, he was disabled and rendered unlit 
for service for a considerable length of time. He is now a resident of St. Lan- 
dry parish. The mother of our subject is the daughter of A. Breaux, from 
whom Breaux Bridge, St. Martin parish, takes its name. Mr. Guidry died in 
1846, when Albert was but a boy. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in his native parish and was 
educated principally at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. At the age of seven- 
teen he left college and joined the Confederate army, Second Louisiana Cavalry, 
in which he served until the close of the war. Just before the battle of Mansfield, 
he was taken prisoner and sent to New Orleans, where he was confined for 
some time. Since the war he has been engaged in pi mting. He now owns a 
considerable amount of land in this and the adjoining parishes. 

Mr. Guidrj' was appointed a member of the police jury in 1873, and served 
in this capacity for fourteen consecutive years, eight of which he has been presi- 
dent. He has been a member of the Legislature from St. Landry parish since 
1884. His services in that body have been eminently satisfactory to his con- 
stituents, and he enjoys the confidence of those he represents. Since April, 
1890, Mr. Guidry has conducted a mercantile business in Carencro. He was 
married, in i860, to Miss Alice Savoie, of St. Landry parish. To this union 
eight children have been born, five sons and three daughters. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 231 

J. O. GIROUARD, Lafayette. — J. O. Girouard is u native of Louisiana, 
born 1839. He received a common school education in the public schools of his 
locality. Since embarking in business he has chiefly been engaged in planting. 
He was a soldier in the civil war, having enlisted in 1861, and served as a private 
in the Seventh Louisiana Cavalry for three jears. 

Mr. Girouard was married, in i860, to Miss Cecil Brogue. They are the 
parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Girouard is a 
native of Louisiana, but was reared and educated in Galveston, Texas. Mr.. 
Girouard is giving his children the best educational advantages the schools of 
this section afford. He owns five hundred acres of land where he resides^ 
which he cultivates in cotton. Through his judicious management it yields a 
good income. , 

^ PRESTON HOFFPAUIR, Duson.— Preston Hoffpauir, a farmer, living 
twelve miles west of Lafayette, was born in Vermilion parish, May 4, 1839. 
He is the son of James and Mary B. (Faulk) Hoffpauir, both natives of Louis- 
iana. The former was born in St. Landry parish, the latter in Vermilion. 
They were married in Vermilion parish, and became the parents of eleven 
children, six sons and five daughters: Erasco, Thomas J., George, Preston, the 
subject; Naaman, Adalaska, deceased; Sarah Ann, wife of John Morgan; 
Theresa, wife of William Sarver; Salania,wife of Levi Sarver; Melienen, wife 
of Benjamin Avant, and Ecepliony, wife of Alvin Morgan. James Hoff 
pauir was a farmer by occupation. He died in Vermilion parish, in 1882, at 
the age of seventy-four. His wife died in the same parish, in 1885, at the age 
of seventy-two. Both were members of the M. E. Church. 

Our subject began life for himself at the age of tw^enty as farmer, at the 
place where he now resides. Li 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, be- 
coming first lieutenant in the Lafayette Guards, State militia. He afterward was 
appointed first sergeant of the Louisiana tieavy Artillery. For some time he 
was with General Logan's mounted infantry in Mississippi. Returning to 
Louisiana, he volunteered in the Twenty-sixth Louisiana Infantry, under General 
Thomas, at Alexandria, and was orderly sergeant of Company D. He con- 
tinued in service until the army was disbanded near Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, 
in the spring of 1865. After this event he returned home, and engaged in 
farming. He owns a place of about two hundred acres of land, one hundred 
and seventy-eight being under cultivation, principally in corn, cotton and rice. 
Mr. Hoffpauir has lived on this farm ever since 1858, and has been very success- 
ful in its management. 

He was married in 1S57, to Amelia Stuts, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Foreman) Stuts. To them liave been born eleven children, five sons and 
six daughters. Four of these died in infancy, those living being: Mary L., wife 



■232 SOUTHWES7 LOUISIANA: 

of Francies Foreman; Martha F., wife of Columbus Spell; Paul F., who was 
accidently killed January i, 1886, while attending school at Rayne, by a pistol 
in the hands of a friend; Robert F., Cunningham, John P., Eula J. and Ida 
Blanche. Mr Hoffpauir was a justice of the peace of this parish from 1877 to 
18S8, and has been a member of the school board for four years. In politics he 
is a democrat. 



y FORD HOFFPAUIR, Lafayette.— Ford Hoffpauir, a planter of ward 
3, was born in Vermilion parish, October, 1834. He is one of a family of 
twelve children, nine brothers and three sisters, born to Nathan and Lucinda 
(Spell) Hoffpauir. The parents were both natives of Louisiana, where they re- 
sided during the whole of their lives Nathan Hoffpauir was a successful 
farmer. The paternal grandfather of our subject was one of the pioneer settlers 
of Vermilion parish. 

Mr. Hoffpauir has devoted his whole life to planting. His plantation in 
Lafayette parish, located twelve miles west of Lafayette, consists of four hun- 
dred and eighty acres of land, one liundred of which are cultivated, the principal 
products being corn, cotton and rice. In local affairs Mr. Hoffpauir has always 
taken an active interest and is a leader. He has for a number of years served as 
justice of the peace, and is at present police juror from the second ward of La- 
fayette parish. During the Civil War, Mr. Hoffpauir served in the State militia, 
from 1862 until its close. 

He was married, at tlie age of twentv-one, to Miss Stuts, daughter of Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Foreman) Stuts. This union lias been blessed with five sons 
and four daughters, viz: Nathan O., deceased; Lemia, deceased; Elizabeth, 
deceased; Mathilda, deceased; Adams F., John R., Joseph E., James A., 
Clara J., deceased. Mr. Hoffpauir and family are members of the M. E. 
Church South. 

» • 

^ HUGH HUTCHINSON, Duson.— Hugh Hutchinson, a planter, living ten 
miles west of Lafayette, was born in Ireland, 1839. ^^ '^ ^'""^ ^o"^ °^ Hugh and 
Jane (Adair) Hutchinson, natives of Ireland, where they lived and died. Hugh 
Hutchinson, Sr., in his younger days was a weaver by occupation, he afterward 
became captain of the police force of the city of Londonderry. He was the 
father of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. 

The subject of this sketch with three of his brothers, emigrated to America 
in"May, 1857. He stopped at Philadelphia, and was for a number of years en- 
gaged in Mone & Tascond's Iron works. In 1865 he went to Chicago, and was 
on the police force for a year. The following year he moved to New Orleans, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 233 

and was there engaged in various emplo^'ments. For a time he was on the police 
force. He next located in McComb City, Miss., where he worked in the rail- 
road shops. In May, 1875, he removed to Lafayette parish, Louisiana, and en- 
gaged in farming on the place he now owns. The plantation is a good one and 
consists of three hundred and twenty-seven acres of land. Mr. Hutchinson was 
married, in 1881, to Miss Albertine Shear. They are the parents of five chil- 
dren, viz: James, Thomas, Elizabeth, Jonas, William. Mr. Hutchinson is one 
of the most successful planters in this section. 

» * 

G. LACOSTE, Lafayette. — G. Lacoste, of the firm of L. Lacoste & 
Brother, dealers in farm implements; is a native of Louisiana, born in Lafayette 
parish, October 7, 1852. He is a son of Antoine Lacoste, who was a native 
of France, and came to this country when a young man. He was for many 
years engaged as a blacksmith in Lafayette. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Lafay- 
ette, and at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and began business 
in partnership with his brother, Leopold, in a blacksmith and repair shop. In 
1886 they added to their business a complete stock of farm implements, 
vehicles, etc., and theyare now doing a flourishing business in this line. Messrs. 
Lacoste are energetic business young men. 

* * 

ALONZO LACY, Scott. — Alonzo Lacy was born in Rankin county, 
Mississippi, December 13, 1856. He is the son James M. and Ellen (Gates) 
Lacy. Both parents were natives of Mississippi, where they were married, and 
had born to them three children, two sons and a daughter, viz: the subject of 
this sketch, Beauregard, deceased, and Sarah A., wife of Anderson Vincent, 
of Calcasieu parish. The mother died in Mississippi, in 1861 ; and the father 
of our subject married a second time. Miss Rebecca Singleton. He served 
during the Civil War and was a gallant soldier; his field of operation being in 
Tennessee. He was captured in Tennessee, and was not released until after the 
war closed. Supposing him to be dead, his wife married again. Returning 
home, Mr. Lacy obtained a divorce, and with his two children removed to 
Louisiana, where he again married. Miss Talitha Semar. He is now a resident 
of Calcasieu parish. 

The subject of this sketch has given almost his entire attention to planting, 
and now owns a farm of one hundred and sixty four acres, which he cultivates 
in corn and cotton. He also gives some attention to stock raising. Mr. Lacy 
was married, in 1876, to Mar}* West. To them have been born seven children: 
Nellie, Lacy, Joseph, Ellen, Cesseal, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Lacy 
and wife are members of the Catholic church. 



234 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

t/ A. A. LABBE, Lafayette. — A. A. Labbe was born in Louisiana in 1841. 
His father, Cesaire Labbe, married Miss Celimene Gondras, and to them were 
born six children, A. A. Labbe being the third child. 

Our subject received the major part of his education in St. Martinsville. He 
enlisted in the Confederate army at the breaking out of the war, and served until 
its close, in the Eighth Louisiana Infantry, under General Hayes and General 
Taylor. He married, in 1868, Miss Zulma St. Julien. They became the parents 
of five children, three boys and two girls: Albert, Gaston, Eugene, Cecile and 
Lucy. Mr. Labbe owns four nundred acres of fine land, upon which he raises 
cotton principally. Mr. Labbe in his religious views is a Roman catholic. In 

politics he is a democrat. , 

» » 

i/ SIMONET LeBLANC, Youngsville. — Simonet LeBlanc is of the large 
Louisiana LeBlanc family, originally descended from Acadian ancestors. He 
is a native of Iberia parish, as also were his parents. His father was a planter 
of Iberia; he died in 1881. His mother died in 1867. 

Mr. LeBlanc had very limited educational facilities, and what education he 
possesses has been gained by private study and contact with the business world. 
He has been engaged principally in mercantile pursuits since starting out in 
business life, and his success is attested in that from a very humble beginning 
he has built up his business until it has assumed its present health}' proportions. 
Mr. LeBlanc was united in marriage, m 1881, with Miss Elia Ro}', and to them 

have been born four children. ,( 

• « 

V AURELLIN LeBLANC, Carencro. — Aurellin LeBlanc was born in La- 
fayette parish, March, 1850. He is the son of Ognie and Adeline (Richard) 
LeBlanc, both natives of Lafayette parish. Ognie LeBlanc was an extensive 
planter of Lafayette parish; he died, at the age of sixty-five years, in 1887. The 
LeBlanc family is one of the oldest in Louisiana ; the particular branch of the 
family of which our subject is a member owned in their turn for generations the 
estate which is now in possession of the heirs of Ognie LeBlanc. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Lafayette 
parish. When a boy seventeen 3-ears of age he began farming for himself, and 
in this he has been exclusively engaged since. Mr. LeBlanc owns a farm near 
Carencro, which he cultivates in cotton. In 1872 he was married to Miss Elodie 
Hebert, of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of eight children. 

* 
» » 

G. A. LaNEUVILLE, Youngsville. — G. A. LaNeuville was born in 
New Orleans, September 17, 1817. He was educated in Clermont Academy, 
Frankfort, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the Mexican war Mr. La- 
Neuville served as receiving clerk in the quartermaster's department at Vera 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 235 

Cruz. Subsequent to this lie graduated from the Medical College of New Or- 
leans, as Master of Pharmacy and Chemistry. 

At the time of the breaking out of the War of Secession Mr. LaNeuville was a 
resident of New Orleans, and with many others of the best New Orleans families, 
he was banished from the city when it was taken possession of by the Federals 
because he would not take the oath of allegiance to the United States govern- 
ment, he preferring to leave his home, propert}', and their attending pleasures to 
being a traitor to his State. In company with many others, he departed for 
schooner which they had chartered for the purpose, with their arms Mobile in a 
and two miniature Confederate States flags which he had never surrendered, 
and which are still in the possession of friends. On the first alarm of the ap- 
proach of the enemy at Mobile, Mr. LaNeuville, with all his banished compan- 
ions, rallied to a post of honor designated to them on the river side, under tiie 
fortifications. 

Mr. LaNeuville's father, Alexander H. LaNeuville, was first lieutenant in 
the regular United States army, and was appointed brigadier and inspector gen- 
eral of the State militia. He died in New Orleans, 1844, leaving a widow and 
four children. Of these only two nov\^are living. 

G. A. LaNeuville was married in New Orleans to Miss Antoinette Marie 
DuBrusson, of a high New Orleans family. Mr. LaNeuville now resides on his 

farm with his wife and only brother. 

» 

R. C. LANDRY, Lafayj;tte. — R. C. Landry is a native of Louisiana, 
born 1838. His father was a native of Lafavette parish, born 1781. He was a 
soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject's grandfather, Joseph Landry, was by 
birth a Canadian. He came to Louisiana and located in Lafayette parish in 
1780. 

R. C. Landry served for three years in the Confederate States army during 
the civil war. He enlisted as a private, and was subsequently made corporal. 
Mr. Landry is a successful sugar and cotton planter and owns a plantation of 
four hundred acres of fertile land, all of which is under cultivation and well im- 
proved. Mr. Landry has twice married. His first wife was Miss Irma Bernard, 
of Louisiana. To this union three children were born. His first wife died and 
Mr. Landry married the second time. Miss Doucet. of Lafayette parish. They 
are the p irents of four children. 

« » 

^^ ALCEE LANDRY, Lafayette. — Alcee Landry is a native of Lafayette 
parish and was reared and educated here, as was also his father, J. B. Landry. 
J. B. Landry was one of Lafayette's sterling citizens and a successful planter. 



J36 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

He married earl}' in life Miss Anna Landry, also a native of Lafayette parish. 
They spent their whole lives in this parish. J. B. Landry died in 1877. 

The subject of this sketch has resided in this parish the whole of his life 
and received such educational advantages as were obtained from the schools 
of his locality. He began life as a planter, in which he is at present successfully 
engaged. Mr. Landry is united in marriage with Miss Cora Broussard. He and 
wife are members of the Catholic church. 



M. L. LYONS, M. D., Ridge. — Dr. Lyons was born in St. Landry parish, 
October, 1834. ^^ '^ ^'^"^ ^^'^ °^ Abel and Mary Ann (Bryan) Lyons, both of 
whom were natives of Louisiana. They were the parents of eleven children, 
six sons and five daughters, the subject of this sketch being next to the oldest of 
the family. Mr. Lyons was a farmer and stock raiser of Calcasieu parish. His 
first wife was a Miss Merriman; she died leaving no children. Mr. Lyons died 
in 1868 at his home in Calcasieu parish. 

The subject of this sketch began life for himself at the age of twelve years. 
He read medicine in i860, and attended what is now the Tulane University. The 
war breaking out at that time he enlisted, in 1861, in the Confederate States 
army in the Texas brigade, and went to Virginia, where he participated in the 
battles of Seven Pines and West Point. From Virginia he was sent to Vicks- 
burg as second lieutenant, remaining at that place until its surrender to Grant. 
He was there taken prisoner and paroled. Returning to New Orleans he again 
entered the service, and before the fall of Vicksburghe was promoted to captain. 
After the war he resumed his studies, and attended the now Tulane University 
in 1S70-71, graduating in the spring of the latter 3'ear. He immediately there- 
after began the practice of his profession at his farm, where he now resides. He 
was married, in 1867, to Miss Cora J., sister of Dr. Clark, with whom he is 
associated professionally. He is a member the M. E. Church, South. 

* » 

A. J. MOSS, Lafayette. — Anderson Joseph Moss is a native of La- 
fayette parish, born 1825. He is the son of Joseph H. and Claire (Thibo- 
deaux) Moss. Joseph H. Moss was a native of Georgia, and came to Louisi- 
ana in 1810, when five years of age, with his father. He received his educa- 
tion in the schools of Lafayette parish, and became a successful planter, to 
which he devoted his whole attention. He had succeeded in accumulating 
quite afurtune atthe time of his death in 184S. The mother of our subject died 
in 1889, at the age of eighty-two years. The grandfather of our subject, 
Nathaniel Moss, was a native of Virginia, and died in 1826, aged seventy-four 
years. 

A. J. Moss received his preparatory education in the schools of Louisiana, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 237 

and later pursued a course at Center College, Danville, Kentucky. After 
leaving school he read law, but upon the death of his father it devolved 
upon him to manage the plantation, and he gave up his law studies. Early 
in life Mr. Moss became indentified with public affairs. He was a member 
of the Legislature, and of the Constitutional Conveution of 1852. From 
1853 to i860, he was in the custom house in New Orleans. In 1861 he 
enlisted in the Confederate States army. Company A, Twenty-sixth Louisiana 
Regiment. Shortly after entering the army he was appointed assistant com- 
missary of subsistence, with rank of captain. In this capacity he served dur- 
ing the whole war. After the war he returned home completely broken up as 
regards finances. 

During the existence of that office, Mr. Moss was nine years judge of 
Lafaj^ettep arish. He also for a number of 3'ears served as justice of the peace 
and notary public, and is now a leading member of the town council. 

For the past few years Judge Moss has been successfully engaged in the 

lumber trade at tliis place. He was married in 1S56 to Miss Octavie Cornay, of 

St. Mary parish. The}- are parents of six living children, four sons and twO' 

daughters, viz: Dr. N. P., of Lafayette; C. P., merchant, New Iberia; F. E., 

merchant, Lafayette; James A., cadet at the U. S. Military Academy, West 

Point; Emily and Adah. 

» 
♦ * 

^ NATHANIEL P. MOSS, M. D., Laf.^vette.— Dr. Nathaniel P. Moss 
is a native of Lafayette parish, born April 19, 1864. He is the son of A. J. 
and Octavie (Cornay) iMoss. 

Dr. Moss received his education principally in the schools of Lafayette, and 
from private tutorage. By close application to his studies as a youth, coupled 
with subsequent voluminous reading, the doctor has a finished education. He 
began business life early, becoming a merchant at about the age of eighteen in 
this place. He left his interest in the hands of his brothers, and, after having 
pursued the study of medicine under Dr. E. S. Mudd, he entered the medical 
department of Tulane University, graduating in the spring of 1S87. Upon the 
completion of his medical education he returned to Lafayette and began prac- 
tice, at the same time conducting the business which he had previously estab- 
lished. Though Dr. Moss has given his chief attention to the practice of his 
profession, his business has also been under his general management, and under 
it has flourished until it has assumed the present mammoth proportions — the 
leading in Lafayette. This has been accomplished wholly by what Americans 
term "business push." Professionally Dr. Moss ranks high. Although his 
business is at present in a condition in which he can not give his exclusive time 
to the practice of his chosen profession, he proposes in the near future to be able 



238 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

to do so. Dr. Moss is a distinguislied member of the Slate and Attakapas Medical 
Associations, and also of the State Pharmaceutical Association. 

He was united in marriage, Nov-ember, 1887, with Miss Annie L. Parkerson, 
daughter of J. G. and Elizabeth (Sterling) Parkerson. 

» * 

F. S. MUDD, M. D., L.\fayette. — Dr. Mudd was born in Washington 
county, Kentucky, March 12, 1829. He is the son of John D. and Louisa 
(Robertson) Mudd, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Kentucky. 
The family of our subject's mother are of Scotch-Irish descent. John D. Mudd 
was a farmer in Kentucky during the whole of his life. He died in 1832. Dr. 
Mudd's mother died in 1841. 

F. S. Mudd received his primary education in the schools of his locality 
and completed his literary course in St. Rose College, Springfield, Kentucky. 
Shortl}' after leaving college he began the study of medicine under John H. 
Polin. of Springfield. Subsequent to this he pursued a course in the medical 
school of Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky. In 1850 he removed 
to Vermilion parish, where he practised his profession for a period of seven years, 
when he removed to Lafayette, and has since practised at that place. In 1882- 
1883, wishing to refresh himself in his medical studies, he took a course in the 
medical department of the Tulane University, from which institution he received 
his diploma. Dr. Mudd has been eminently successful as a practitioner and has 
for many years stood at the head of his profession. He is a member of both 
the State and Attakapas associations. He was twice married — first, in 1854, to 
Miss S. T. Rice, and in 1872 to Miss Martha Greig. The doctor is a devoted 
Presbyterian and an elder of that church. He is a member of the F. & A. M., 
Hope Lodge, No. 145; also of Hope Chapter, No. 32. Until its dissolution he 
was a member of the Girard Commandery. 

» 

^ JULIAN MOUTON, L.'^fayette. — Julian Mouton, attorney at law, was 
born in Opelousas, St. Landry parish, August 7, i860. He received the advan- 
tages of a good common school education, and studied law under his father, ex- 
Lieutenant Governor Mouton. He was admitted to the bar at the Supreme Court 
in Opelousas. After leading the life of a planter, and being engaged in other 
general business, for a period aggregating about four years, Mr. Mouton began 
the practice of law and has met with much success. He is a hard student and 
well learned in his profession. Mr. Mouton is united in marriage with Miss Rosa 

Castille. 

• 

V ALEXANDER MOUTON.— The name that heads this sketch ,is well 
known, not only in Louisiana, but throughout the United States. Alexander 
Mouton was born November 19, 1804, in what was then Attakapas, on Bayou 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 239 

Carencro, which was the dividing line between Attakapas county and count}? of 
Opelousas, on the road now leading from the present townof Lafayette to Grand 
Coteau. He died February 12, 1S85. 

Mr. Mouton was the ninth Governor of the State of Louisiana, and the first 
Democrat to occupy the executive chair. He was a lineal descendant of an early- 
Acadian family, and was proud of his origin. His mother, Marthe Bordat, was 
the daughter of Dr. Antoine Bordat, e.x-surgeon of the French army, and Mar- 
guerite Martin, who was first married in Acadia, now Nova Scotia, to a gen- 
tleman named Robichaux, who came to New Orleans with many other refugees 
who were driven from their country by the British government on account of 
their allegiance to France, which had possessed and controlled it prior to Eng- 
land's conquest of Canada. Mrs. Robichaux married a second time, in New 
Orleans, Dr. Bordat of that citjs who subsequently removed to the birthplace 
of Governor Mouton. Governor Mouton's father was a son of Salvator Mou- 
ton, who was also an Acadian refugee. 

Educational advantages in the section of Louisiana in which Governor 
Mouton spent his youthful days were at that time very limited, a few indif- 
ferent country schools affording the only opportunities for instruction of the 
rising generation. The population consisted nearly solelv of Acadian descend- 
ants, and the French language was universally spokenand for many }?ears the 
only language taught in the schools of that locality, so that it was difficult for 
one to obtain a thorough English training. Governor Mouton was, however, 
a precocious youth, and he proved himself equal to the emergency. He ac- 
quired, unaided, a good knowledge of the English language, and from the 
fluency with which he spoke he might have been considered a thorough class- 
ical scholar. 

The da3-s of his boyhood were uneventful, and consisted in the regular routine 
of events attending the 3'^outhful days of a country boy. At an early age young 
Mouton evinced a great interest in public affairs, and, probabh', to this is due 
the fact that he chose as his vocation law, as the entrance to the political arena 
has been, in the United States, chiefly through the doors of this profession. 

In 1821 Governor Mouton went to St. Martinsville, the seat of the 
parochial government of St. Martin parish, and studied law in the office of 
Charles Antoine, an. attorney of St. Martinsville. Charles Antoine died shortly 
after Governor Mouton entered his office, and young Mouton finished his law 
stud}' with Edward Simon, a distinguished jurist, who was atone time Associate 
Justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana. 

Being admitted to the bar in 1825, Mr. Mouton commenced the practice of 
his profession in Lafa3'ette parish, wliich had been incorporated in 1823. He onl}' 
practised a short while, however, when he retired to his country home, seemingly 
15a 



240 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

preferring the freedom and ease of a country life to the tedious routine of an 
attorney's duties. 

In 1826 the citizens of Lafayette parish, looking around for a man of energy 
and ability to represent them in the State Legislature, chose Mr. Mouton. His 
services were eminently satisfactory, and he succeeded himself in that body for 
three consecutive terms, and was Speaker of the House during the sessions of 
1831-32. From 1832 until 1836 Governor Mouton resided on his plantation. 
He was on the Presidential Electoral ticket during the presidential campaigns 
of 1828, 1832 and 1836. In the latter part of 1836 he was elected for the fourth 
time to the lower house of the State Legislature. In January, 1837, he was 
elected by that body to fill the unexpired term of Judge Porter in the United States 
Senate, and succeeded himself for the long term. While in Congress he was a 
member of the Committee on Private Land Claims and Patents. 

Mr. Mouton was nominated for Governor of his State in 1842, and he re- 
signed his seat in the Senate March i, of that year, and, being elected, he en- 
tered upon his executive duties January 30, 1843. Commenting upon the con- 
dition of public affairs in the State at the time, Governor Mouton in his first 
message to the Legislature remarked: "We can justly attribute the evils we 
suiifer to no other cause than to ourselves. Louisiana, under a good government, 
and poised on her own resources, would leave nothing to be wished for by her 
sons. It is but too common to look abroad for causes which are to be found 
immediately among ourselves. It is too customary to look to thegeneral govern- 
ment for relief in distress, whilst that relief should have been sought at home. 
By the manly exercise of our own faculties, availing ourselves of our own ad- 
vantages, and calling to our aid the sovereign power of the State, we could over- 
come all our difficulties." His public utterances were noted for their strength 
and wisdom. The Governor's remarks upon the fearful condition of the State 
Treasury, its cause and remedy, are full of facts and suggestions. He recom- 
mended as a remedy for this great evil legislative prevention, as far as possible, 
of the revival of a banking system as heretofore organized. 

A new constitution for the State having been adopted May 14, 1S45, involv- 
ing a complete change of officers, Governor Mouton's term was brought to a close 
at the expiration of his third year. Leaving the executive chair, Governor 
Mouton again retired to private life and never again participated activt-ly in 
political affairs. 

January, 1852, he was chairman of the great Southwestern Railroad Con- 
vention. He was also a delegate to the National Convention held in Cincinnati, 
1856. In 1858 he was selected president of the Vigilance Committee for the 
Attakapas country, which was organized to rid that section of the country from 
an organized band of marauders who set the laws at defiance. In i860 he was 
a delegate to the National Convention held at Charleston, South Carolina, for the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 241 

nomination of President of the United States. In 1861 he was a delegate and 
president of the Secession Convention that met in Baton Rouge. This may be 
said to have ended his public career, although he was afterward a candidate for a 
seat in tlie Confederate States Congress. 

The latter daj's of Governor Mouton's life were spent on his plantation in La- 
fayette parish. There he lived a retired life, rarely leaving his home, save occa- 
sionally making a trip to New Orleans, since the extension of the Morgan Railroad, 
which afforded the traveling facilities which he could not previoush' command, for 
which he had a peculiar partialit}', railroads being confessedly his hobby. Age 
pressed more heavily upon the governor in consequence of the severe loss he 
sustained in the war, by the death of his gallant son, General Alfred Mouton, at 
Mansfield, Louisiana, through the treachery of a body of Federal soldiers, who, 
after surrendering, fired upon and killed him. The devastation of his native 
place also added to the misfortunes which seemed to accumulate at that period 
of lile when he was least able to sustain himself under the burden. 

Governor Mouton was a man of remarkably prepossessing appearance ; tall 
and commanding in figure, every feature of his countenance plainly expressed 
the great courage and resolution characteristic of his nature. Dignified and 
courteous in his manner, slow and deliberate in conversation, Governor Mouton 
laid no claim to oratorical power, preferring to listen to others rather than express 
his own views and opinions. He had that happy faculty of setting at ease those 
whom he entertained, and was a most congenial host. 

Governor Mouton was married, in 1826, to Miss Zelia Rousseau, the daughter 
of Jaquez Dupre, the most wealthy stock raiser in " Opelousas county" in his 
time. He was also prominent m public affairs, and acted as President pro tern. 
of the Slate Senate and ex-officio Lieutenant Governor, subsequently becoming 
acting Governor in 1830 ; succeeding A. Beautias, who was acting Governor 
after the death of Governor Derbigny. By his first marriage Governor Mouton 
had five children: General Alfred Mouton, a graduate of West Point, who was 
killed at Mansfield, 1864; Mathilde, who married Frank Gardner, the defender 
of Port Hudson; Idieda, who married J. S. Mouton, a sugar planter of Lafay- 
ette parish ; Cecilia, who died unmarried. After the death of his first wife the 
governor married, while a Senator in Washington City, 1842, Miss Emma K. 
Gardener, daughter of Colonel Charles K. Gardener, officerin the United States 
army. To the latter union four sons and two daughters were born: Charles, 
Paul, George, Rufus, Ann Eliza and Marie. 

/ * 

" » • 

JUDGE ORTHER C. MOUTON, Lafayette.— Judge OrtherC. Mou- 
ton was born in St. Landry parish, October 5, 1858. He is the son of Charles 
H. and C. (Dupre) Mouton, both natives of Louisiana. Charles H. Mouton 
was reared here and received his education in St. Charles College, Grand Co- 



242 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

teau. He is now a practising attorney at St. Martinsville. During the war he 
was district judge, and he afterward acted as district attorney. The mother of our 
subject died in 1865. The Mouton family is of direct Acadian-French ances- 
try, the great-grandfather of Orther C. having removed from Acadia to Louis- 
iana. 

Judge Orther C. Mouton was reared in his native parish. What education 
he possesses he has chiefly acquired bj' private study. He never attended col- 
lege, owing to the financial circumstances of his father after the war. At the 
age ot eighteen years, Judge Mouton entered the law office of Judge Debail- 
lon, of Lafayette, wiiere he pursued the study of the profession he has adopted. 
He was admitted to the practice before the Supreme Court at Opelousas. Upon 
his admission to the bar, Judge Mouton located in Lifayette, where he has since 
practised his profession. In the spring of 1890 he was elected district judge, 
to fill the unexpired term of Judge Dehaillon, made vacant by his resignation. 
Judge Mouton married, in 1886, Miss Ella Martin, of Lafayette. He and wife 
are members of the Catholic church. 



J. E. MOUTON, Lafayette. — J. E. Mouton is a native of Lafayette 
parish, born August 16, 1847. He is the son of Jean S. and Celestine (Vanas- 
seur) Mouton, natives of Louisiana. Jean S. Mouton was reared in Lafaj'ette 
parish, where he married and reared a family of six children, four of whom are 
now living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. Jean Mouton died in 
1863; his widow survived him until 18S3. Both were members of the Catholic 
church. 

J. E. Mouton was in the Confederate States service during the war. He 
enlisted in Squires' BattaHon, 1863. Mr. Mouton was educated in St. Charles 
College, Grand Coteau, where he took a tliree years' course, having entered in 
i860. Since the war he has given his attention to farming. He has a farm of 
about two hundred acres, one hundred and forty-five of which he cultivates in 
corn and cotton. Mr. Mouton was married in 1871 to Miss Emerite Voorhies, 
a native of Lafaj-ette parish. They are the parents of three sons and four 
daughters, viz: Horace, Gaston, Arthur, Idea, Louise, Carmen, Ida. Mr. 
Mouton and family are members of the Catholic church. He is a member of 
the Knights of Honor at Lafayfette. 

• » 

" JACQUES D. MOUTON, Lafayette.— J. D. Mouton, a prominent 
planter of Ward 3, was born in Lafa3'ette parish February 15, 1855. He is the 
son of Gen. Alfred Mouton, a history of whose lite appears elsewhere. 

Mr. Mouton is one of a family of five children now living. He was reared 
on a farm and received a good education in the neighboring schools. He was 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 24S 

married in 1880 to Mary J. Voorhies,a native of St. Martinsville, Louisiana, and 
daughter of Alfred and Euphrosine (Oliver) Voorhies, Alfred Voorhies was a 
prominent citizen of St. Martin parish. He was a representative of that parish 
in the Legislature, 1885-1888. He removed to Lafayette parish in 1889 and is at 
present a notary public in this parish. Mr. and Mrs. Mouton are the parents of 
six children, five of whom are living — Mary, Rousseau, Daniel, Alice, Zelia, 
(deceased), and Voorhies. Mr. Mouton has given his attention exclusively to 
farming. His plantation, located one mile east of Lafayette, is well improved, 
and bespeaks the thrift of its possessor. In connection with his plantation Mr. 
Mouton gives special attention to raising a good grade of stock. Though he 
takes an active interest in public affairs he has never held an office. He and 
family are Catholics. 

• * 

^ J. S. MOUTON, Lafayette. — J. S. Mouton was born in Lafayette par- 
ish, Louisiana, 1835. He was an active participant in the late Civil War, having 
enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, on Gen. Mouton's staff. He served 
during the whole of the war. Mr. Mouton has a good plantation, where he 
resides, consisting of about two hundred acres of land, and devotes himself en- 
tirely to its cultivation. As a planter he has been successful, and few planta- 
tions of this section are better conducted than his. Mr. Mouton married in 1852 
Miss Odeida, daughter of ex-Governor Alexander Mouton. They are the par- 
ents of nine children, six sons and three daughters. 



ALCIDE V. MOUTON, Lafayette.— Alcide V. Mouton, a planter of 
Ward 3, was born in Lafayette parish January 5, 1849. He is the son of L. U. 
and C. (Dugas) Mouton. Both parents were natives of Louisiana of French 
descent. Our subject's grandparents were among the Acadian families who 
settled in Lafayette parish. Louis U. Mouton was born in 1813, and was reared 
and married in St. Martin parish. He was the father of twelve children. He 
died in 1877. Our subject's mother died Mai-ch 25, 1890. Both were members 
of the Catholic church. 

Alcide V. Mouton received a fair education in the common schools of his 
locality and began life as a planter. He served in the Confederate States army 
the last year of the war, having enlisted in Company K, Second Louisiana Regi- 
ment. He was paroled at Alexandria. In 1869 Mr. Mouton married Miss 
Clemence Breaux, daughter of Rossemon Breaux, of Lafayette parish. They 
are the parents of ten children. Mr. Mouton owns a good farm about five 
miles north of Lafayette, which he cultivates in cotton and corn. He is an 
active member of the Farmers' Alliance. He and family are members of the 
Catholic church. 



244 ^ O V'l II WEST L OUISIA A' A : 

SIDNEY MARTIN, Lafayette. — Sidney Martin, planter, was born in 
St. Martin parisli, Louisiana, 1855. He is the son of Valerien and Angeline 
(Mouton) Martin, both of whom are natives of Louisiana. His fattier is a 
planter, living in St. Martin parish. The subject of this sketch is one of a 
family of seven children; Auguste, Edmond, Emile, Alfred, Elodie, Isinine and 
Angele. 

Sidney Martin has been engaged in planting since starting in business for 
himself. He was married in 1S75 ^° Miss Zilia Mouton, a native of Louisiana, 
born in 1857, and daughter of General Mouton. To this union have been born 
five children, three sons and two daughters: Sosthene, Luc, Henry, Bertha, and 
Lucie. Mr. Martin has a good plantation of two hundred acres of land, with 
ninety acres under cultivation, on which he raises principally corn, cotton and 
sweet potatoes. The place is well improved, and has on it a fine orchard. Mr. 
Martin is a systematic, progressive planter, and is considered one of the most 
successful business men in his neighborhood. He gives special attention to 
breeding a superior grade of stock, and now has on his plantation some fine 
specimens. Both he and wife are members of tlie Catholic church. 

» » 
^ J. E. MARTIN, Lafayette. — Mr. Martin is a native of Lafayette parish, 
born 1859. He is the son of F. and Ellen (Eastin) Martin, both natives of 
Louisiana. His father held the office of sheriff and tax collector for many years. 
Both parents died in 1883. 

Our subject was reared and educated in Lafa3'ette. He took a three years' 
course in St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and began business 
life in Lafaj'ette, as clerk in a general mercantile establishment, subsequentl}- 
working two years in the custom house of New Orleans; and in 1881 began 
business where he is now located as general merchant. In this undertaking he 
has been very successful. He married, in 1886, Miss Julie, daughter of F. 
Bourges, of Lafa3fette. Mr. Martin was for a lime treasurer of the parish. He 
and wife are Catholics. ^ 

V A. M. MARTIN, Lafayette.— A. M. Martin, Clerk of the District 
Court at Lafaj^ette, is a native of the place, born 185 1. He is the son of 
Charles and Catherine (Deagle) Martin. Charles Martin was a native of 
Lafayette parish and a successful planter. The mother of our subject is still 
living, being in her eighty-fifth 3-ear. She is the mother of eleven children, of 
whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. 

Mr. Martin early in life became identified with public affairs. At the age 
of sixteen he was made deputy assessor of the parish, and at the age of 
eighteen was appointed one of the enrolling clerks in the House of Represent- 
atives, where he remained for nearly five years, and was a witness to the great 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 245 

Wheeler Compromise. His public experience thus far had well qualified him 
for public lite, and at the age of twenty-three he was elected district clerk 
which office he has filled for sixteen consecutive years. Mr. Martin's 
length of service for one so young, and his influence in Lafayette parish 
bespeak of themselves the esteem in which he is held. He was married 
in Lafayette parish to Miss S. McBride, a native of tliis parish. There have 
been born to this marriage six children, viz: Clara, Nella, Cora, Amy, 
Charles and Agnes. Mr. Martin and famil)' are members of the Roman 

Catholic church. 

* 

PAUL A. AL\RTIN, Scott. — Paul A. Martin, justice of the peace of 
the first ward, was born April, 1850. He is the son of Marius and Zulme 
(Deuvignert) Martin. His father was a native of the Island of Martinique, and 
his mother of Bordeaux, France. They were married on the Island of Mar- 
tinique, from whence they came to New Orleans, in 184S. Marius Martin was 
by occupation a jeweler, and worked at this trade in New Orleans for a period 
of twenty-one years. He was also an artist, and did the first daguerreotype 
work in Louisiana. His removal to New Orleans w^as caused b}- the insur- 
rection of slaves. He was only saved by the timely warning of a faithful 
servant, who had nursed him in his infancy. With his wife and child he 
secretly made his escape from the island, and arrived safely in New Orleans. 
His land on the Island of Martinique has never been disposed of to the knowl- 
edge of his heirs — the subject of this sketch and his brother of New Orleans. 
Marius Martin died in New Orleans, 1853. 

The subject of this sketch began life at the age of nineteen as a cook in 
New Orleans. This he followed for about six years, when he removed to 
Lafayette parish in 1873, and engaged in farming. In 18S8 he opened a hotel 
at Scott Station, and in this he is at present engaged. Mr. Martin was elected 
justice of the peace in 1887, and is the present incumbent of the office. He has 
served as notary public for the past six years. Mr. Martin is united in marriage 
with Miss Emma Comeau, daughter of Francois and Clara (Sonnier) Comeau. 
They are the parents of two children, a son and a daughter: Alexander B., and 
and Ainee, deceased. Mr. Martin and wife are members of the Catholic 
church. 

» * 

URSIN PREJEAN, M. D., CAREXCRO.—Ursin Prejean, M. D., was born 
in St. Landry parish, Louisiana, September 27, 1855. He is the son of Ursin 
T. Prejean, a native of St. Landry parish. Ursin T. was a successful planter 
otSt. Landry parish. He served during the Civil War in the Eigliteenih Lou- 
isiana Infantry, Confederate arm\-, and was in manv of the active campaigns. 
He died at the age of fifty-five years. 



246 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of a family of seven children. He 
received his education in the common schools, and at St. Charles College, Grand 
Coteau. At the age of twenty years he began the study of medicine under the 
direction of Dr. Moss, of St. Landry parish. In 1874 he matriculated in the 
medical department of the now Tulane Universit}', graduating in 1877. He then 
began practice in St. Landry parish, where he was located until 1S80, when he 
removed to Carencro, and has since here resided. His practice is large and ex- 
tends over a considerable area of Lafayette and St. Landry parishes. The 
Doctor has been, though he is not at present, a member of the Attakapas Med- 
ical Association. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Breaux, of Lafaj'ette parish. 
Mrs. Prejean died, and the Doctor afterward married Miss Maria Matthieu. 

» 
* » 

P. B. ROY, YouNGSviLLE. — p. B. Roy, one of the wealthiest and most 
prominent planters and merchants of Lafayette parish, was born near the place 
where he now resides in 1840. He received his education at St. Charles Col- 
lege, Grand Coteau. His parents were botli natives of this State, and died in 
1848 and 1852, respectively. 

Young Roy was but twelve years of age when his mother died and he was 
reared bv his elder brother Desire, who was accidently killed by the explosion 
of a boiler in his gin in 1S67. Another brother died in 1S66. 

P. B. Roy was a soldier in the C. S. A. from 1862 until the close of the 
war. He served in the Eighth Louisiana Cavalry. Mr. Roy has been remarka- 
bly successful in life. He is the owner of twelve plantations in Lafayette parish, 
aggregating about twenty-one hundred acres; four in St. Martin parisii, con- 
sisting of five hundred and twenty-five acres, and four in Vermilion, aggregat- 
ing twelve hundred acres. All are under cultivation except the last three. Mr. 
Roy also conducts a large mercantile business at Royville and one at Broussard- 

ville, Louisiana. , 

» « 

G. W. SCRANTON, M. D., Youngsville.— Dr. Scranton, a popular phy- 
sician of Youngsville, is a native of Lafayette parish, Louisiana, born in 1851. 
His father. Dr. G. W. Scranton, was born in New Haven county, Conn., July 
20, 1812. He graduated in medicine in Yale College, 1834, '"'"^ '" i837' with 
the degree of B. L., from the Michigan University, Grand Rapids, and was 
made attorney general for the county of Ottawa, Mich., 1838. 

He located in Lafayette parish, Louisiana, 1840, and resumed the practice 
of medicine. He was elected-to the State Senate in 1846, and served one term. 
He died February 28, 1853. 

He was progressive and public-spirited in a remarkable degree. To him is 
due the credit of inaugurating the public school system of Lafayette. His 
widow is still a resident of Lafayette. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 247 

Dr. Scranton received his classical education in Virginia, and was a gradu- 
ate of medicine of the medical school of the Tulane University. While attend- 
ing that university he was a resident student of the Charity Hospital. He 
graduated in 1874. Immediately after completing his course, he began practice 
in Lafayette, where he remained two years; at the expiration of which time, he 
removed to Youngsville, and there he has since given his exclusive attention to 
the practice of medicine and conducting a drug business. It is not exaggerating 
to state that Dr. Scranton has the largest practice in this section of the parish. 
As a practitioner he ranks deservedly high. He has accumulated a comfortable 
fortune. Besides his other business interests, he has six fine plantations in La- 
fayette parish. He was married in 1S75 ^'^ Nina Dupleix, and to them have been 
born four children. 

» » 

J. G. ST. JULIEN, Lafayette. — J. G. St. Julien is a native of Louisi- 
ana, born 1844. His father was an extensive planter of Lafayette parish. He 
died in 1867, of yellow fever. 

J. G. St. Julien received the benefit of a good education as a boy. In 1863, 
he enlisted in the Confederate States service, Eighteenth Louisiana Regiment, 
General Mouton's brigade and General Taylcr'^ division. Mr. St. Julien is a 
planter, and in flourishing circumstances. His plantation consists of fifteen 
hundred acres of land, and is a model one. In former years Mr. St. Julien 
gave his exclusive attention to stock raising, and has only recently combined 
with this the raising of cotton. Mr. St. Julien is a member of the police jury 
of Lafayette parish, and as a member of the executive board, he leaves 
nothing in his power undone for the general improvement and development of 
his parish. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is a Democrat in 
politics. In religion he is a Catholic. 

* » 
^ F. R. TOLSON, M. D., Lafayette. — The subject of this sketch is a practis- 
physician at Lafayette, Louisiana. He is the son of Dr. T. T. and Ann 
(Tribble) Tolson. His father was born in Alabama, 1830, and received his edu- 
cation at the university of that State. He was married June 5, 1S49, and be- 
came the father of six children — three sons and three daughters — our subject 
being the eldest. Dr. T. T. Tolson was a successful practitioner. During the 
war he served as surgeon in the Confederate army and had charge of a hos- 
pital. 

Dr. E. R. Tolson was educated in the parish schools of Lafayette, Louis- 
iana. His medical education was received at the medical department, University 
of Louisiana, New Orleans, from which he received his diploma. After the com- 
pletion of his studies he located in Lafayette parish, where he has met with 
deserved success. He is a prominent member of the Attakapas Medical Asso- 



248 SOUTHWEST L O U J SI ANA : 

ciation. Dr. Tolson was married in 1S77 to Miss Martha Young. They are 
the parents of five children — Louisa, John, Julia, Challie, Thomas. 



V H. THEALL, Youngsville. — H. Theall was born in Lafayette parisli in 
1843. His father was a planter of Lafayette parish. He died in 1853. His 
mother is still living. 

Mr. Theall was educated in the schools of Lafayette. For the past four- 
teen years he has given his attention entirely to his mercantile interests at 
Youngsville, in which he has prospered, and now does one of the leading busi- 
nesses of the place. He was united in marriage, in 1865, with Miss Elodie 
Longlinae. To them has been born a daugliter. 

» » 

E. G. VOORHIES, Lafayette. — E. G. Voorhies, attorney at law. Lafay- 
ette, is a native of St. Martin parish, Louisiana, born October 24, 1861. He is 
the son of Felix Voorhies, of whom mention is made in this work. 

E. G. Voorhies was educated in the schools of St. Martinsville. He began 
life as clerk in a mercantile establishment in St. Martin parish. In this he con- 
tinued until 1886, when he entercsd the law office of his father. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar before the the Supreme Court at Opelousas in 1887. Immedi- 
ately thereafter he located in Lafayette, where he has since practised his pro- 
fession. Mr. Voorhies also does an abstracting and notar}' business. He is a 
young man of fine intellectual qualifications and is a rising member of the 
Lafayette bar. „ 

A. D. VEROT, Youngsville. — A. D. Verot was born in 1850. His 
father, M. Verot, was a native of France, born 1812. He devoted himself to 
school teaching in his early life, in Louisiana, where he removed when quite 
young. He married, in 1847, Miss Hermine, the mother of our subject. They 
became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. The father 
died in 1868; his widow still survives him. A. D. Verot is by occupation a 
blacksmith and wheelwright, though at present he is engaged in planting. He 
owns three hundred and sixty-five acres of tillable land, which he partly culti- 
vates and partly uses as a pasture for a fine grade of Jersey and Devonshire 
cattle, of which he is the importer and raiser. The principal products of his 
plantation are cotton, corn and rice. Mr. Verot has never married. 

* 

JEAN VIGNEAUX, Lafayette. — ^Jean Vigneaux, United States marshal 
for the western district of Louisiana, is a native of France, born in 1853. He 
came to America in 1867, and was engaged in business in New Orleans until 
1870, when he located in Lafayette. Here with characteristic energy he began 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 2« 

business, first as a baker, and in fact applied iiimself assiduously to any labor 
from which by industry and business tact he could coin money. Since 1876 
he has conducted a large livery business in this place. Mr. Vigneaux was 
elected marshal of the town of Lafayette, and served in this capacit}^ for a 
period of eight years. He was a member of the town council of Lafaj^ette for 
two years, and in June, 18S7, he was appointed United Slates marshal of the 
western district of Louisiana, of which position he is the present incumbent. Mr. 
Vigneaux is prosperous in his business, and now owns a considerable amount of 
property in Lafayette. He is united in marriage with Miss Emele Oueilhe, 
They are the parents of tliree children : Elia, August and Lucie. 

* * 
^ S. R. WALLIS, Lafayette. — S. R. Wallis was born in Terrebonne 
parish, Louisiana, in 1843. His father, J. C. Wallis, was born in Maryland, 
1805. and removed to Louisiana early in life, where he married Miss Elizabeth 
R. Creighton, 1836. Seven children were born to this marriage, the subject of 
our sketch being the youngest living. J. C. Wallis was an extensive sugar 
planter at the time of his deatli in Terrebonne . 

S. R. Wallis grew to maturity in Lafayette parish, and received a fair 
education. He was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting, 1861, in Company C, 
Eighth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Confederate army. He served dur- 
ing the whole war and received but one slight wound. Mr. Wallis is the owner 
of two liundred arpents of land where he i-esides, and which he cultivates in 
cotton and corn. He gives a part of his attention to his plantation interests. He 
is united in marriage with Miss Josephine Dyer, of Lafayette parish. The}' 
are tlie parents of three living children: Robert L., Ruby and Hugh C. 

» » 

REV. MAURIUS WELTE, Carencro.— Rev. Maurius Welte, pastor of 
St. Peter's Catholic church at Carencro, was born in Lyons, France, 1852. 
He is the son of Charles and Jane (Rey) Welte, both natives of Alsace, then 
France. Both are now deceased. Charles Welte was a book-keeper and was 
engaged in commercial pursuits all his life. Seven children born to our sub- 
ject's parents are still Hving. 

Rev. Maurius Welte when but a bo}', 1867, came to the United States with 
Bishop Odin. He attended St. Charles College, Baltimore, and subsequently 
graduated in New Orleans. Later he pursued his studies in Cincinnati, and 
after their completion he had charge of the church at Napoleonville, Louisiana, 
for over four years. In 1883 Rev. Welte came to Carencro, and through his 
exertions St. Peter's church building, which had been destroyed in 1881, was 
rebuilt. A history of the foundation ot St. Peter's church will be found in the 
historical part of this work. 



250 



SOO THWEST LOUISIANA . 



^' REV. THOMAS F. WEBB, Lafayette.— Rev. Thomas F. Webb is a 
native of England, born 1823. His father, Thomas A. Webb, was a prosperous 
merchant on the east coast of England; early in life he married Miss Susan 
Grinsby, and they became the parents of seventeen children, only two of whom 
are now living, our subjects and his elder brother, the Rev. Edward Webb, who 
resides at Oxford, Pennsylvania. Thomas A. Webb died in 1836; his widow 
survived him until 1855. They were both members of the Congregational 
church. 

Rev. Thomas F. Webb was principally educated in Massachusetts. He 
married in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1848, Miss Sophia Stephens, of New York, 
daughter of Gideon Stephens. Rev. Webb was ordained a minister in the Meth- 
odist church in 1872, and has been engaged in the performance of his minis- 
terial duties since that time. He removed to Louisiana from St. Louis in 1S69 
and located where he now resides. He has a beautiful and fertile plantation 
consisting of four hundred acres of land near Lafayette. Rev. Webb has pros- 
pered as regards worldly goods and his plantation is one of the most success- 
fully operated in this section. He is a member of the Masonic order, Hope 
Lodge 23. He and wife are the parents of six children. His two sons, T. F. 
and Wm. G., are foreign missionaries. Mary G., Edward, Lizzie and Anna are 
at home. 



^f^r^> 




CHAPTER V. 



PARISH OF ACADIA. 



HENRY W. ANDING, Rayne.— Henry "W. Anding was born in Missis- 
sippi in 1850. He is the son of W. H. and Elizabeth (Furr) Anding. W. H. 
Anding was born in South Carolina in 1816. He enlisted in the Black Hawk 
and Seminole wars in 1836, and served under General Scott until its close as a 
private. He removed from South Carolina to Mississippi in 1848, and to Louis- 
iana in i860. Our subject's mother was born in Mississippi in 1823, and mar- 
ried in 1843. Eleven children were born to this marriage, four of whom are 
still living. 

H. W. Anding, the subject of this sketch, was educated in St. Landry par- 
ish. He was elected, in 1S87, the first treasurer of Acadia parish, which posi- 
tion he still occupies. He has been in the mercantile business for eighteen years 
at this place, and conducts one of the largest businesses of the town. Mr. 
Anding was united in marriage in 1S74 with Miss Susan Arenas. They are the 
parents of one child, a daughter, Josephine. 

* 

REV. J. ANTHONOIZ, RayxXe.— Rev. J. Anthonoiz, pastor of St. Jo- 
seph church at this place, was born in Savoy, France, Ma}' 10, 1822, He re- 
ceived his education in his native town, later studying philosophy and theology 
in Vals, near LePuy (St. Soire), France, and was tliere ordained priest in 1855. 
He came to America the same year, locating at Baton Rouge, where he filled a 
chair of mathematics for some time. He was thence transferred to Alabama, 
where he again filled a chair of mathematics for several years. Later he was 
sent to St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, where he remained until he removed 
to Rayne. 

Father Anthonoiz is a man of high personal qualities, and is revered b}' his 

flock. His labors as a priest have been of the most meritorious character. St. 

Joseph church building at this place, which was finished in 1876, is one of the 

finest in this part of tlie st^te. 

* 

MATHIAS ARENAS, Rayne.— The subject of our sketch was born in 
Havana, in 1828. He is the son of Catulo and Dolores (Orduna) Arenas. To 



•>52 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

them were born thirteen children, Mathias being the eldest. Catulo Arenas emi- 
grated to the United States with his family when Mathias was young. 

Mathias Arenas during the war was a member of the State militia, but was 
never called out in active service. In 1880, he established one of the first mer- 
cantile houses in Rayne, to which he has given his attention until very recently. 
His business was the largest of the kind at the place. He was married in Louis- 
iana, 1856, to Miss Leonar Martin. They are the parents of two children, both 
daughters, Mrs. Anding being the elder. Mr. Arenas is now retired from active 
business, his circumstances being such as to render the worry of business un- 
necessary to one of his age. 

* 
» » 

E. O. BRUNER, Rayne.— E. O. Bruner was born in what was then St. 
Landry parish, now Acadia, in the year 1858- He is the son of Francis J. 
Bruner, who was a native of Ohio. He came to Louisiana in 1849, where 
he has since been engaged in planting, in Plaquemine Brulee, a distance of 
ten miles from Rayne, with the exception of the three years he spent in Cali- 
fornia during the gold excitement. 

E. O. Bruner, the subject of this sketch, was educated principally in 
Pontiac, Illinois, under the instruction of his uncle, John W. Bruner, where he 
lived with his father three years during his stay in Illinois. Previous to going 
to lUinois, in 1875, he spent one year in Texas, where he was engaged in a 
shingle manufactory. In 1S79 he returned from Illinois, and married Lela 
Hampton, daughter of T. H. Hampton, and a relative of General Wade 
Hampton. In the winter of 1879 ^^ embarked in the mercantile business, in 
Coulie Crouche. Becoming dissatisfied with the business and the locality, he 
removed to Rayne, where he has ever since been engaged in the livery business 
and farming, somewhat extensively. He owns four farms. He is a justice of 
the peace of the first ward, to which office he has been twice elected. He is 
also a member of the town council and member of the local school board. 
He has one child, a bright boy, nine years old, Howard E. Bruner. Mr. 
Bruner' s future is bright. 

• * 

'' HOMER BAROUSSE, Church Point.— Homer Barousse, planter and 
merchant, living at Church Point, in Acadia parish, Louisiana, was born in that 
parish September, 1850. He is the son of John and Caroline (Fontenot) Ba- 
rousse, the former a native of France, the latter of Louisiana. They were the 
parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters, five of whom are now liv- 
ing: Euphrosine, wife of William McBride ; Homer, the subject; Anise, wife 
of Lucius David; Edgar, and Ora, wife of L. Franques. Their father is one 
of the old settlers of the country, having lived in the State for fifty-one years. He 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 253 

is one of Acadia's most highly respected citizens, and successful planters and busi- 
men. He is now associated with the subject in a mercantile business at Church 
Point, where the}^ carry a stock of ten thousand dollai^s and do an annual busi- 
ness of fifty tliousand dollars. John Barousse owns eight hundred acres of land, 
two hundred of which are in cultivation. During the war he was assessor of 
the southern part of St. Landry parish. 

Homer Barousse obtained his education at Washington, Louisiana. He 
was married in 1869 to Emily Daigle, daughter of T. Daigle. To them have 
been born nine children, seven sons and two daughters: Oscar, Homer, Maurice, 
Lorant, Felix, Bertrand, Fernando, Lydia and Lelia. Our subject was elected 
police juror for his ward in 1887, and is still an incumbent of that office. He 
owns fourteen hundred acres of land in St. Landry and Acadia, two hundred of 
which he cultivates. Mr. Barousse is a man of good business qualifications, 
and is highly respected and well known throughout this section. He and wife 
are members of the Catholic church. He lias been chairman of the Democratic 
Executive Committee of the parish of Acadia since it was first organized, and he 
is also a member of the District Executive Committee of St. Landry and 
Acadia. 

* * '" 

HON. JOSEPH D. BERNARD, R.vyxe.— Hon. Joseph D. Bernard, rep- 
resentative of Acadia parish in the Stale House of Representatives, was born in 
St. Martin parish, Louisiana, November 15, 1832. He is the son of Francois 
and Euphrasie Bernard, both natives of St. Martin parish. Francois Bernard 
was an extensive planter of St. Martin parish. He was a soldier in the war of 
181 2, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. He died when Joseph D. 
was but five years of age. 

Our subject received his primary education in the local schools of St. Mar- 
tin parish, later attending St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. On leaving col- 
lege he engaged as salesman in a mercantile house at Breaux Bridge, St. Martin 
parish. Locating in Rayne, he opened the first mercantile business in that sec- 
tion. Since that time Mr. Bernard has conducted a flourishing business at this 
place, in connection with his plantation. He was elected, in 1882, mayor of 
Rayne, in which capacity he served four years. In 1888 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the State House of Representatives from Acadia parish, and during his 
term of service in that bod}' he has been a member of several important com- 
mittees, and has always taken an active part in leading measures. Mr. Bernard 
was a soldier during the whole of the Civil War, serving in the Army of Virginia. 
He was taken a prisoner in 1863, and confined at Point Lookout until March, 
1864. Being more fortunate than many of his fellow prisoners, Mr. Bernard 
was in possession of sufficient means to bribe those in charge, and consequently 
did not suffer the hardships common to prison life. After his release from im- 



254 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

piisonment he returned home and did not reenter into active service. Mr. Ber- 
nard is united in marriage with Miss Susan Chachere, of St. Landry parish, 
Louisiana. They are the parents of tliree children: Anna, Agatha and Frank G. 



^ WELMAN BRADFORD, Rayne.— Welman Bradford was born in Ascen- 
sion parish October, 1869. He is one of a family of four children, two brothers 
and two sisters, born to Robert H. and Rosa (Welman) Bradford. His father 
was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of New Orleans. Robert H. 
Bradford was a prominent lawyer. He practised for some time in Washington, 

D. C, and later in New Orleans. The last years of his life were spent in 
Florida, where he died in September, 1888. The mother of Mr. Bradford is 
still living with him. 

Welman Bradford receivedthe benefit of a liberal education, and since eigh- 
teen years of age has given his principal attention to surveying and civil engi- 
neering. For the past two }'ears Mr. Bradford has been experimenting in rice 
culture with good results. He has a plantation of four hundred acres of land 
where he resides, one hundred of which he cultivated in rice this year (1890). 
Mr. Bradford also practises in the Land Court. He is the present treasurer of 
the town of Rayne. He is a young man of energy and thrift and is always 
identified with laudable public measures. He is a member of the Episcopal 

church. , 

» • 

W. H. GARY, Mermenteau. — W. H. Cary, in partnership with J. J. 
Bibbins, operates one of the largest rice plantations in Louisiana. The product 
of their plantation in 1889 was thirty-five hundred barrels of rice. The planta- 
tion consists of four hundred and fifty acres of land, one hundred and fifty of 
which are under cultivation. Mr. Gary is a native of Louisiana, born in St. 
Mary parish in 1843. He is the son of J. B. and Eleanor (Gordy) Gar}-. J. B. 
Cary was a native of New York. He removed to Louisiana early in life, where 
he worked at the carpenter trade. He married our subject's motlier in St. 
Mar}^ parish, and they were the parents of eight children, of whom W. H. is 
the third in order of birth. Only three of the family are living, viz: W. H., R. 

E. and J. B. The father died in 1855, and the mother in 1887. Both were 
members of the Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Cary is an enterprising young business man, and has made a good start 
in life. His farm is a model one and well improved; he has on it a small orange 
grove, besides other fruit trees. His partner, Mr. Bibbins, is a young man of 
high standing in business and social circles. He was born in Ohio, in 1854, and 
is the son of J. J. and Mary (Fish) Bibbins, of New York. J. J. is the second 
of a familv of three children born to them. He removed to Louisiana in 1870, 






'^^^-^-Cy-T^ 



^y^^l^^^^ 




1^ 



'-^^ 



"^f^ 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 257 

and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land at this place, which he has since 
well improved. By trade he is a carpenter, but devotes most of his time to 
planting. 



WILLIAM C. CHEVIS, Rayne.— William C. Chevis was born in 
Vermilion parish, Louisiana, February 8, 1862. Dr. John W. Chevis, the 
father of William C, was a native of Virginia, born 1S22. He removed to 
Louisiana in 1850, where he became a successful sugar planter before the war. 
The mother of our subject, Martha Hayes, was born in what is now Acadia 
parish, Louisiana, in 1832. 

The subject is the third of a family of seven children, three brothers and 
four sisters. He received Lis preparatory education in the public schools of 
Acadia parish, and later pursued a course of stud}'^ at the University of Ken- 
tucky, at Lexington, from which institution he graduated in 1S84. After 
leaving school he was for some time engaged as book-keeper, and later as a 
school teacher. Subsequently he became editor of the Acadia Sentinel, one of 
the first papers published in Acadia parish. In 1889, he was appointed by 
Gov. Nicholls assessor of Acadia parish, which position he still holds. He 
was the special correspondent of the "New Delta," at Baton Rouge, during 
the legislative session of 1890, in which capacity he enjoyed the distinction of 
representing at the State capitol the only anti-lottery daily published in New 
Orleans. Mr. Chevis is a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, and the future 
holds much in store for him. 

PROFESSOR T. C. CHERRY, Crowley.— Prof. T. C. Cherry was 
born in Kentuck}^ April 24, 1862. His father, G. W. Cherry, was a native of 
that State, as was also his mother, Martha Stahl. 

T. C. Cherry is one of a familj' of nine children. His father being a 
planter, he was reared on a plantation, and is thoroughly familiar with all kinds 
of farm work. He received his education principally at Bowling Green, 
Kentucky. Later he took a business course at Delaware, Ohio, and at 
Glasgow, Kentucky. At the age of twenty-two years, Prof. Cherry began 
school teaching, and has been engaged in this chiefly since that time. He first 
taught in the public schools of Warren county, Kentucky. Later he taught for 
one year in the Woolwine High School, Nashville, Tennessee. He came here 
as commercial teacher, and was the main factor in the founding of Acadia 
Commercial and Literary College, at Crowley. Prof. Cherry is thoroughly, 
practical and energetic, and his extensive knowledge in educational matters 
will go far in making the college at Crowley one of the most flourishing in 
Louisiana. 

IGa 



258 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

/ RAYMOND T. CLARK, Crowley.— Raymond T. Clark, clerk of the 
district court and ex-ofRcio recorder and notary public for Acadia parish, was 
born in what is now Acadia parish, April 23, 1855. He is the son of Valentine 
C. and Frances (McClelland) Clark, both natives|of this parish, where they died. 
Valentine C. Clark was a stock raiser and planter. 

The subject of this sketch spent his school days in Lake Charles and Opel- 
ousas. Beginning business for himself, he was first engaged in stock raising 
near Rayne. This he followed until quite recently. When Acadia parish was a 
part of St. Landry, Mr. Clark was, for three years, justice of the peace, and, on the 
organization of the parish of Acadia, he was elected clerk of court and ex-oflicio 
recorder at a special election held for that purpose, and was reelected at the 
first regular election. He held the position of town councilman while a resident 
of Rayne. Mr. Clark married, December, 1874, Miss Laura L. Duson, daugh- 
ter of Cornelius Duson, and sister of the Hon. C. C. Duson, State Senator from 
Opelousas, and W. W. Duson, of Crowley. To them eight children have been 
born, two sons and six daughters. Mr. Clark is a member of the Methodist 
church. In politics he is an unwavering democrat. He is a K. of P., and he 
has represented his order in the Grand Lodge of the State. He is also a mem- 
ber of the K. of H. , 

# * 

^ A. S. CHAPPUIS, Rayne. — Anselm Chappuis, one of the most successful 
business men of Acadia parish, was born in Thibodeaux, Lafourche parish, 
November 5, 1849. He is the son of Stephen and Mary Louisa (Sourd) 
Chappuis, natives of Lorraine, France. They both removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, when young, where they married and resided until 1840, at which time 
they removed to Thibodaux, Louisiana, where the father of our subject died, in 
1862, at the age of fifty-three, and the mother, in 1870, at the age of fifty years. 
The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of ten children. He 
attended the schools of Lafourche parish. The breaking out of the Civil War 
prevented him from obtaining a collegiate education. He remained with his 
mother until nineteen j^ears of age, when he went to Cincinnati, where he learned 
the tinner's trade with his uncle. Here he remained for three years, when he 
returned to Louisiana, and worked at his trade in Bayou Lafourche for about 
five years. In 1880 he removed to Napoleonville, where he established a busi- 
ness which he conducted for a year and a half. Looking around for a more 
desirable place, he loca-ted at Rayne, where he has since followed his trade, and 
conducts a general hardware business, in connection with which he carries a 
stock of building materials. His stock in the above goods, together with an 
assortment of improved agricultural implements and wagon and buggy mate- 
rials, is the largest in Southwest Louisiana. Mr. Chappuis has demonstrated his 
business abilitv in the success which has attended his undertakings. He is 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 259 

probabl}' at present the wealthiest business man in Acadia parish. On starting 
out in life for himself he was compelled to borrow money to buy the necessary 
implements with which to carry on his business. Mr. Chappuis has served as a 
member of the board of aldermen since his location in Rayne. On the organiza- 
tion of Acadia parish he was made clerk of the police jury, but soon resigned his 
charge. Mr. Chappuis was instrumental in the erection of the rice mill at this 
place, and was elected president and manager of the company on its organiza- 
tion. He is foremost in all matters that tend to the promotion of the public 
welfare. Through his influence and money, assisted by a few other public- 
spirited citizens, the present commodious two and one-half story brick academy 
was built and the school supported. 

Mr. Chappuis, with a keen eye to business, has invested largely in real 
estate, feeling confident that within a short while it will be greatly enhanced in 
value. He has recently purchased a farm one and one-half miles from town, 
upon which he proposes erecting a fine residence and make it his future home. 

He was married, in 1872, to Miss Emma Bergenon. She died the year fol- 
lowing her marriage, having become the mother of a son, Eugene L., who is at 
present book-keeper in his father's business at this place. Mr. Chappuis mar- 
ried a second time, in 1882, Miss Josephine Christman, of Opelousas. They 
are the parents of four children, viz: Ferdinand, Abner, Lawrence, Archibald. 

» * 

PHILIP J. CHAPPUIS, Crowley, is a native of Lafourche parish, born 
September 26, 1865. He is the son of Julius and Josephine (Toups) Chap- 
puis. The former was born in Lafourche parish in 1836, and the latter in 
the same parish in 1846. Julius Chappuis was a wealthy planter of this 
parish. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of three children. He 
was educated at Thibodeaux college, Louisiana, from which institution he 
graduated in 1883. He then read law under L. P. Caillouet, of Thibodeaux, 
and was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Opelousas, Jul}- 9, 
1887. Mr. Chappuis has practised in Crowley since that time, and judging 
from his present popularity as an attorney, the future holds much in store 

for him. ^ 

« * 

JEAN CASTEX, Meumenteau. — Jean Castex, a prosperous merchant, 
was born in France, March 18, 1836. He is the son of Andres Castex and 
Sturline de Captdeville, both natives of France. Andres Castex was a tanner 
by occupation. He married in France, and to their union were born four 
children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest of the three now living. 
Andres Castex died in France in 1843. His wife died December 26, 1890. 

Jean Castex, the subject of this sketcli, emigrated from France to Louisiana 



260 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

in 1854. H*^ landed in New Orleans June 3 of that year, and from there he 
went to Lafayette, where he engaged in carpentering, and afterward conducted 
a bakery. After about two years he moved to Acadia parish, where he now 
resides. In 1859 '^^ opened a mercantile business where he now resides, and 
his business has grown until he now carries a stock of about four thousand dol- 
lars' worth of goods. He also owns twenty-five hundred acres of land, a portion 
of which he cultivates in cotton and rice. The place is well improved, and has 
on it a steam cotton gin, which was erected in i860. Mr. Castex was appointed 
post-master at Mermenteau in 1867, and was reappointed in 1890, and is the pres- 
ent efficient post-master of the place. He is united in marriage with Miss Alice 
Landry, a native of Louisiana. Thej^ are the parents of four children, viz: 
Jean, Jr., Alice, Rosedale and Rose. The subject is a member of the school 
board, and is active in his efforts to improve the public school S3'stem of this 
parish. As a business man he is abundantly successful. 



•^ H. W. CARVER, Crowley. — Hiram W. Carver, clerk of the police jury, 
Acadia parish, was born in Assumption parish, May, 4, 1862. He is the oldest 
of a family of ten children born to Hiram H. and Emma (Bourg) Carver, the 
former a native of Virginia, the latter of Assumption parish, Louisiana. Hiram 
H. Carver removed to Louisiana when twenty-one years of age. He was a 
graduate of a Virginia college. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 
that State. After removing to Louisiana he located in Assumption parish, where 
he served as district attorney for a time. Later he was made parish judge, 
which office he held for several years. Mr. Carver served during the whole of 
the war in a Louisiana regiment of cavalry. He was a commissioned officer. 
He is now a resident of Lafourche parish, Louisiana. The mother of our sub- 
ject is deceased. 

The subject of this sketch attended school at Napoleonville, Louisiana. At 
the age of sixteen 3'ears he left school and began active life for himself. He first 
engaged in the mercantile business in Iberville parish. In 1886 Mr. Carver came 
to this place and opened a general store, and in 1887 formed a partnership with 
J. Frankel, with whom he is at present associated. His business is flourishing, 
and this year (1890) will amount to fifty thousand dollars. Both are active busi- 
ness men, and have great hopes for the future prospects of this country. They 
deal extensively in rice, and do the largest business in that line in this place. 
Mr. Carver was one of the first councilmen of the town of Crowley, and was 
afterward elected mayor. In 1887 he was elected clerk of the police jury, of 
which position he is the present incumbent. He married, in 1885, Miss Jose- 
phine Sigur, of Iberville parish. To them three children have been born: James 
A., Emma A. and Leon E. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 261 

W. W. DUSON, Crowley. — W. W. Duson, the efficient business manager 
of the Southwest Louisiana Land Company, was born in St. Landry parish, 
Louisiana, October 5, 1853. He is the son of Cornelius Duson, a history of 
whose life appears in the sketch of Hon. C. C. Duson, of St. Landry parish. 

W. W. Duson was reared in this section of the State, and was educated in 
the local schools of the day. He began business life at the age of seventeen 
years, as a clerk in the general mercantile store of James Webb at Plaquemine 
Brulee. He subsequently became a member of the firm of Freeman & Duson, 
successors to James Webb. When Acadia parish was founded, Mr. Duson 
retired from this business and removed to Rayne. In May, 1884, he removed 
to Crowley, and assumed charge of the business of the Southwest Louisiana 
Land Compan}^ in which capacity he continues to act. Since assuming man- 
agement Mr. Duson has bought and sold over 200,000 acres of land for the 
companj'. 

The business of the land company has assumed enormous proportions and 
requires much attention, but besides this Mr. Duson operates the largest rice 
plantation west of the Mississippi River. Mr. Duson is the founder of Acadia 
College, the buildings of which he erected at a cost of $15,000. He founded 
and has since edited and published the "Acadia Signal" at Crowley. He was 
married Januarj- 2, 1879, to Miss M. McClelland. They are the parents of one 
living child, Mamie. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Duson was married 
to Miss Julia Clark, the daughter of a well known citizen of Acadia parish. 

* 
* * 

^ LOUIS ALPHONSE DUCLOS, Rayne.— Louis Alphonse Duclos, post- 
master and druggist, was born in France, February 16, 185 1. His parents, 
Michael and Susanne Duclos, were both natives of France. 

After having followed a full course of studies, both in literature and chem- 
istry, at Bordeaux, and at the " Lj'cee Imperial Bonaparte," Paris, France, the 
subject of this sketch came to the United States in 1865, and opened a drug store 
in 1866, at Labadieville, Louisiana, where he married Miss Evelina Gebelin, a 
member of one of the oldest and most influential families of that place. To their 
marriage two children have been born, Alphanse J. Duclos, a graduate of 
Soule's College, of New Orleans, and a registered pharmacist of Louisiana, and 
Noemie Duclos, now a pupil of Mt. Carmel Convent, Lafayette, Louisiana. 

In 1883 Mr, Duclos came to Rayne, as a clerk for M. P. Young & Co., 
then the only druggist of this place. The fact that in 1886 he was appointed post- 
master, which office he has kept under different administrations to the general 
satisfaction of the public; and also the fact that from a simple clerk, Mr. Du- 
clos has become the proprietor of one of the finest and most prosperous drug 
stores in Southwest Louisiana, are witnesses to his popularity and business 
capacity. Mr. Duclos and family are members of the Catholic church. 



262 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

\/ 

HOMER DAVID, Church Point. — Homer David, a planter living near 

Church Point, was born in St. Landry parish in October, 1848. He is the son 

of J. B. and Elmier (Breaux) David, natives of Louisiana. To them were born 

seven children, four sons and three daughters. The father was a planter by 

occupation. He died In 1856, and our subject's mother in 1872. 

The subject of our sketch is a farmer, which he has made the business of 
his life. He owns three hundred acres of land, 150 of which are in cultivation, 
the principal products being cotton and corn. 

Mr. David was married in 187 1 to Miss Azeline Guidry. They are the 
parents of seven children, five daughters and two sons. Mr. David and wife are 
members of the Catholic church. 

* » 

V MARTIN DOUCET, Crowley.— Martin Doucet, a planter of Ward 5, 
is a native of Louisiana. He is the son of Joseph and Carmelite (Richard) 
Doucet, both natives of Louisiana. To them thirteen children were born, twelve 
of whom are living. The father died in 1872, and the mother, in 1878. Both 
were members of the Catholic church. 

The subject of this sketch enlisted as a soldier in 1862 in the C. S. A., and 
was an active participant in that struggle until the close of the war. He was 
first in the infantry and later in the cavalry service. After the war he re- 
turned to Louisiana and engaged in farming. This he has continued on a 
small scale with success. Mr. Doucet and wife are the parents of eight 
children, four sons and four daughters, seven of whom are living. 

» * ■ 

MELON DOUCET, Cartville. — Melon Doucet, planter, is a native of 

this parish, born in 1834. ^^^ father, Melon Doucet, Sr., was also a planter. 

He died in i860. His mother, a native of the parish, died in 1864. 

Our subject gives his chief attention to agricultural pursuits. The principal 

products of his farm are rice and corn. He is also a successful stock raiser, 

and has on his place a good number of both cattle and horses. In his religious 

views, Mr. Doucet is a Roman Catholic. 

* 
» » 

'^ JOSEPH FABACHER, Canal.— Joseph H. Fabacher, planter and mer- 
chant, living twelve' miles north of Crowley, was born in the city of New Or- 
leans, August 24, 1858. He is the son of Joseph and Magdalene (Frey) Fabacher, 
both natives of Germany. To them were born eleven children, nine sons and 
two daughters. 

Our subject, when but a small boy, emigrated alone to America, landing at 
New Orleans in 1837. He turned his hand to different occupations until he ar- 
rived at man's estate In 1870 lie removed from New Orleans to Acadia parish, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 263 

and engaging in the rice industry. It was through his exertions that rice culture, 
which is now Acadia's best paying industry, was introduced into the parish. In 
1879 h^ ^o\^ his plantation and returned to New Orleans, where he engaged in 
the restaurant business, and in this he is still interested. Mr. Fabacher owns 
two hundred acres of land in this parish, one hundred and twenty-five of which 
are in cultivation, the principal product being rice. He also, on a less extensive 
scale, raises corn and oats. He has a stock of general merchandise on his farm, 
in value about one thousand eight hundred dollars, and is doing a good business. 
Mr. Fabacher is the post-master of Canal. 

He was married, in 1880, to Dora Ginkel, daughter of Abraham Ginkel. 
To them have been born six children, four sons and two daughters : Andrew, 
Frank(deceased), Lawrence, Magdalene and Joseph; one died in infancy. Mr. 
Fabacher and wife are members of tlie Catholic church. 

» » 

THEODORE FLASH, Cartville.— Theodore Flash was born in Baden, 
Germany, 1825, and came to this country in 1847. He was first located in New 
Orleans, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to his present place 
of residence. 

Mr. Flash received a good business education in the schools of his native 
land. His father and mother were both natives of German}^ and removed to 
America, where they spent the latter days of their life. Since his location at 
this place Mr. Flash has been engaged in farming and stock raising, in which 
he has prospered, and is now one of the leading farmers and stockmen in 
this section of Acadia parish. He has twice married, first in 1864, and again in 
1875. In religion Mr. Flash is a Catholic, and in politics, though not partisan, 

he is a Democrat. , 

* » 

l/* D. B. HAYES, Crowley. — D. B. Hayes, deputy clerk and recorder of 
Acadia parish, was born in what is known in Southwest Louisiana as Hayes' 
Prairie, this parish, December 14, 1844. He is the son of Bosman and Eliza E. 
(Simmons) Hayes, both natives of Louisiana. Bosman Hayes was killed in 
1864, by Jayhawkers, in his own yard, while attempting to protect his prop- 
erty. He was a very extensive planter and stock raiser, and before the war 
he owned no less than seventy-five slaves. He was, at the time of his death, six- 
ty-six years of age. The mother of our subject died in 1858, when about fifty- 
four years of age. Both were members of the M. E. Church, South. 

Dallas B. Hayes, the subject of this sketch, was the eighth of a family of 
nine children, and received his education in the schools of his localit}-. He en- 
tered the Confederate service in 1863, enlisting in the Second Louisiana Cavalry, in 
which he served until the close of the war. He participated in many of the skir- 
mishes ; was taken prisoner near Alexandria, Louisiana, and sent to New Orleans, 



■26i SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

where he was confined for four months, after which he was exchantfed and 
again entered the service. After the close of the war, Mr. Hayes opened a mer- 
cantile business at Plaquemine Brulee, where he was located for ten years, when 
he returned to his farm and engaged in stock raising and farming, until he was 
placed in charge of the recorder's office, by the clerk of court, in March, 1887. 
Previous to this he had served as justice of the peace for many years. The 
faithfulness with which he has discharged the public trust reposed upon him 
has made him popular as a public officer. Mr. Hayes was united in marriage 
with Miss Louisa S. Guidry, of St. Landry parish. They are the parents of 
nine livino- children, fouf sons and five daughters. He is a member of the M. E. 
Church South and is also a Mason, with his membership at Opelousas. Politi- 
cally he is a staunch democrat. « 

* * 

W. E. HOCKADAY, Plaquemine Brulee. — W. E. Hockaday was born 
in Kentucky, in 1868. He is the younger of two children born to Eugene and 
Anna (Lake) Hockaday. Eugene Hockaday was educated at Shelbyville, 
Kentuck}', and removed to Louisiana early in life, where he became a prosper- 
ous planter and merchant. 

W. E. Hockaday, the subject of this sketch, received his education princi- 
pally in Illinois. He is one of the most successful planters and stock raisers in 
this section of Louisiana. He has charge of three thousand acres of very 
fertile land. He gives special attention to the breeding and importing of a fine 
grade of Herford and short-horned cattle. Mr. Hockaday is united in marriage 
with Miss Beatrice Lyon, a daughter of Crawford Lj^on of this State. 

* 

* * 

ZENO HUBER, Fabacher. — Zeno Huber was born in 1836 in Germany. 
He is the son of Martin and Mary (Fromnerz) Huber, both natives of Germany, 
where they were reared, married and became the parents of three children, one son 
and two daughters, viz: Caroline, Mary, and Zeno, the subject of this sketch. 
The father was a farmer and inn-keeper; he died 1846. Mrs. Huber after- 
ward married Conrad Baumgarten, and to this union were born two children, 
Frederick and John. Mrs. Baumgarten and family removed to America in 1850, 
landing in New Orleans the 5th of November, having been ninety-six days in 
making the trip. In the yellow fever epidemic of 1853 the whole of the family 
died with the exception of the subject of this sketch. 

Remaining in New Orleans until 1870, he engaged in a grocery and retail 
liquor business. At this time he removed to his present place of residence, 
where he owns eight hundred acres of land, two hundred of which are under 
cultivation. Mr. Huber gives his principal attention to rice culture, though he 
also raises some corn and potatoes. He was one of the first to experiment in 
rice culture. Mr. Huber served as post-master at Fabacher from 187S to 1889. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 265 

With this exception he has given his attention exclusively to his plantation inter- 
ests. He was married in i860 to Mrs. Anna Mees Lote, widow of Martin 
Lote, a native of Germany. During the Civil War, Mr. Huber served for five 
months, 1861, in Company I, Col. Girard's regiment. Returning to New Or- 
leans at the expiration of this time hedid not again enter the service. 

* » 

^ ANDREW HENRY, Mermenteau. — Andrew Henry, an extensive rice 
planter of Ward 5, is a native of Louisiana, born September 13, 1840. He is 
the oldest of a family of twelve children born to Lewis and Emma (Marsh) 
Henry. The father was a native of South Carolina. He was a successful planter 
of St. Landry parish, where he married. He removed to Louisiana when a 
small boy, and here he died in 1865. The mother of our subject is a native of 
Louisiana, and is at present a resident of Acadia parish. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of 
St. Landry parish. He enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate States army in 
Company A, Eighteenth Louisiana Regiment, and served until November, 1864, 
when he was discharged on account of ill health. Returning home he en- 
gaged in farming, in which he has been engaged since that time. His present 
plantation consists of four hundred and fifty acres of land, one hundred and sixty 
of which are under cultivation, the principal productsbeingrice, corn and sweet 
potatoes. Mr. Henry was elected, in 1888, justice of the peace of justice ward 
No. 5. He served as deputy sheriff from 1S69 until 1887 inclusive. During 
this long period of service, by the vigilance and promptness with which he exe- 
cuted his duties, he gained a host of friends. He was married in St. Lan- 
dry parish, 1868, to Miss Amelia Landry, To this union have been born ten 
children, six of whom are living, viz: Alcee, Emma, Andrew, Albert, Ida and 

Alice. «. 

* * 

'^ D. P. JANUARY, M. D., Crowley.— Dr. D. P. January was born near 
Natchez, Mississippi, August 3, 1837. ^'^ i^ ^^^ ^on of B. P. and Drusilla 
(Fontleroy) January, natives of Mississippi and Kentucky, respectively. B. P. 
January is now a resident of Natchez, and is over seventy-seven years of age. 
His wife died November, 1889, at the age of seventy-three years. B. P. January 
was a successful planter in Mississippi and Louisiana before the war. In the 
Civil War he was commissioned by the Confederate government, and stationed 
in Mississippi to transfer prisoners across the river. 

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of a family of eight children. He 
received his literary education at the Kentucky Militar)' Institute, at Frankfort, 
from which he graduated in 1857. In 1858 Dr. January entered the medical 
school of the then Universit}' of Louisiana, from which he graduated in 1S60. 
He then practised in Houston, Texas, and was here at the breaking out of the 



266 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

war, when, abandoning his lucrative practice, he offered his services to the Con- 
federate arn\y. He Vvas assigned assistant surgeon in the Army of Tennessee, 
and during the Geofgia campaign was stationed at Auburn, Alabama. At the 
close of the war he located at St. Joseph, Louisiana, where he practised until 
1887, at which time he removed to Crowley, where he opened a drug store. Dr. 
January was married, in 1861, to Miss Josephine Reeves, of Tensas parish, 
Louisiana. They are the parents of a son, D. R., who is associated with his 
father in the drug business at Crowley, and a daughter, Josephine, wife of Frank 
Burt. Dr. January is a member of the Masonic order, and in religion is an 
Episcopalian. , 

^ W. T. JENKINS, M. D., Prudhomme City.— W. T. Jenkins was 
born in Mississippi, February, 1839. ^^ '^ '^^e son of Rev. David B. and Susan 
(Gordon) Jenkins, natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. His 
parents were married in Georgia, and removed from there to Mississippi in 1820, 
where Mr. Jenkins engaged in farming. He was a minister of the Baptist 
church. He died in 1835, his wife surviving him until 1876. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, six brothers 
and three sisters. He received the benefits of a good literary education, and 
graduated in the medical schooVof the University of Louisiana, in 1850. He 
began practice in 1852 in Mississippi. He was married the same year to Miss 
E. A. Dodds. The Doctor removed from Mississippi to Louisiana in 1866, 
and located on Bayou Teche, where he practised medicine for five years, when 
he removed to Prudhomme City, in 1871. Here he has practised his profession, 
and has also conducted a large plantation, consisting of about one thousand 
acres of land, three hundred of which he cultivates in rice and other products. ' 
The Doctor raised this year (1890) four thousand barrels of rice. He and wife 
are the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, five of whom 
are living: William D., Dr. W. A., Emma, wife of Benjamin Stagg; Dora, and 
Ida, wife of C. J. Hundley. Mr. Jenkins and wife are Baptists. 

^ W. A, JENKINS, M. D., Church Point, was born at Crystal Springs, 
Mississippi, March, i860. He is the son of William T. Jenkins, of whom a 
sketch appears in another part of this work. The mother was a native of Ten- 
nessee. 

The subject of this sketch attended the Louisville Medical College in 1885- 
86-87, graduating with high honors in the last year. Immediately after grad- 
uating he began the practice of his profession at Prudhomme City ; from there 
he removed to Church Point in the fall of 1887, where he now resides. He 
has succeeded in building up a good practice, and is a man of much ability in 
his profession. He was married, in 1887, to Miss Mattie L. Hundley, daughter 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 267 

of J. C. and Mary (Stevens) Hundley. The Doctor owns residence property 

at Church Point. , 

• • 

J. W. KENESON, Crowley.— J. W. Keneson, a native of the State of 
New York, was born in 1848. His father was a native of Ireland, and his mother 
of New York, of Scotch descent. The former is deceased, and the latter is at 
present a resident of Kansas, being about sixty years of age. His father was a 
sailor for about sixteen years of his life. In his latter da3'S he gave his attention 
to farming. He served three years during the Civil War in the command of 
Col. Meyer and later under Colonel Walker, in the Sixteenth Kansas Regiment, 
in which the subject of this sketch, J. W. Keneson, was also a soldier. He en- 
listed in 1863 and served until the war closed. J.W. Keneson has been engaged 
in planting since his location at this place. His plantation consists of three hun- 
dred and fifty acres of land, one hundred and twenty of which he cultivates in 
rice principally. In this industry he has been successful. Mr. Keneson was 
married in 1876 and is the father of seven children, four sons and three 

daughters . , 

* • 

^ J. C. LYONS, Plaquemine Brulee. — J. C. Lyons was born in what is now 
Acadiaparish,Louisiana, July 26, 1842. His father, Gabriel Lyons, was born near 
the birthplace of our subject in 1812. He was reared and spent his whole life in 
Louisiana. He married when young the mother of our subject, Louise Johnson, 
and they became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, of 
whom J. C. is the youngest. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of his lo- 
cality. Planting has been his lifetime vocation. His plantation consists of six 
hundred acres of land, under fence, the principal products being corn and cot- 
ton. Mr. Lyons was married, in 1868, to Miss Clara Arceneaux. They are the 
parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. 

• 

E. W. LYONS, Crowley. — Eldridge W. Lyons, sheriff of Acadia parish, 
was born within what is now Acadia parish on Prairie Hayes, October 11, 1856, 
He is the son of Elisha and Sophie (Hayes) Lyons, both natives of Louisiana. 
Elisha Lyons was a prosperous planter of this parish. He served during the 
late war in the Second Louisiana Cavalry, his field of operations being chiefly 
in Louisiana. He died, in 1864, at the age of twenty-nine, while home on a 
furlough. The mother of our subject is still living in Acadia parish. 

E. W. is the oldest of a family of four children. He received his educa- 
tion in this parish, and when eighteen years of age he entered the employ of 
Sheriff Hayes in the sheriff's office, in which he was engaged for several months. 
Subsequent to this he was for four years engaged in farming, and from that time 



2G8 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

until he was elected sheriff of Acadia parish, at a special election held after its 
organization, he gave his attention to stock raising. Sheriff Lyons is popular as 
an official. 

He was married, in 1874, ^° Miss Alice Harmon, daughter of Joseph Har- 
mon. To them have been born four children, all living, viz: Hiram H., Zoula 
L., Ira A., Martin J. Mr. Lyons and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and 

Knights of Honor. * 

* • 

^ R. R. LYONS, M. D., Crowley. — Raphael Lyons, physician and surgeon, 
was born at Plaquemine Brulee, now Acadia parish, April 3, 1840. He is the 
son of Crawford and Azelie (Johnson) Lj^ons, natives of this State. Crawford 
Lyons was an extensive planter; he died in 1853, at the age of thirty-six years. 
His wife still survives him and is a resident of this parish. There were born 
to them six children, our subject being the second in order of birth. 

Dr. Lyons spent his school days in Opelousas, completing his studies m 
1858. Immediately thereafter he began the study of medicine, with Dr. J. J. 
Lyons as his preceptor. From i860 to 1862 he attended the medical depart- 
ment of the University of Louisiana, at New Orleans. Upon his graduation in 
1862 he joined the Confederate States army as a private in the Second Louisi- 
ana Cavalry, soon after being detailed as assistant surgeon of this regiment. He 
served throughout the war in the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was in the 
battles of the Teche and Morganzie, and was twice taken prisoner, but retained 
as such only two or three months each time. After the close of the war he 
practised medicine at Plaquemine Brulee until December, 1889, when he came to 
Crowley, where he engaged in the drug business with T. J. Toter. Dr. Lyons 
has taken a deep interest in agricultural pursuits, making a specialty of cotton. 
In 1868 he married Miss Johanne Clark, daughter of V. C. Clark. Four 
children hav.e been born to them, viz: Leona M, Leonce L., Lucille M., Leo. 
Dr. Lyons is a member of the M.E. Church, and takes an active part in religious 
matters at this place and is superintendent of the Sunday School. 

^^ J. A. McMillan, M. D., Bourque point.— Dr. J. A. McMillan was 
born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and reared in Alabama. He is the son of 
Neill and Agatha (Ford) McMillan, both natives of North Carohna. His par- 
ents removed to Texas m 1850, where his father was engaged in planting and 
stock raising. Both he and our subject's mother died in that State, the former 
in 1888, the latter in 1883. 

The subject of this sketch began Hfe for himself at the age of nineteen, as 
a clerk in a store at Oxford, Mississippi. Here he was married, in 1845, to 
Mrs. Gillie (Alston) Moore, the widow of Arthur Moore, of Mississippi. The 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 269 

Doctor always had a decided predilection lor tlie study of medicine, and in 1852 
he entered the medical school of the University of Louisiana, New Orleans, 
and in the same year he began practice at Jacksonport, Arkansas, in association 
with Dr. Jones. He only remained here a short while, however, when he re- 
moved to Houston, Texas, and at that place practised for two 3-ears. He located 
in Washington, Louisiana, in 1859, where he remained until 1869, when he re- 
turned to Texas, remaining there one year. In 1870, returning to Louisiana, he 
located at Church Point, but now resides near Crowley, at Bourque's Point. 
Dr. McMillan is a progressive citizen, as well as a phj^sician of high rank. He 
has at different times served as membtr of the parish school board, and is at 
present deputy coroner. The Doctor's first wife died in 1856. He afterward 
married Miss Cleophine Lambert, who died in 1S69, having become the mother 
of one son. Cook. As a result of the first union, four children were born, two 
sons and two daughters. The Doctor is now united in marriage with Miss Louise 
Bourque. They are the parents of seven children, three sons and four daugh- 
ters, four of whom are now living: Malcomb, Viola, Mav and Una. 



JAMES F. MORRIS, M. D., Rayxe.— Dr. James F. Morris, a prominent 
physician of this place, was born in Harden county, Tennessee, Novem- 
ber 2, 1856. He is the son of John H. and Emily (Scott) Morris, both natives 
of Tennessee, where the}' both died, the former in 1873, "^^ the age of forty-two, 
and the latter in 1868, at the age of thirty-six. John H. Morris was a Methodist 
minister belonging to the West Tennessee Conference, and preached to nearly 
all the congregations in that State. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a family of five children. He 
received his education at Purd}' College, Tennessee. He began the study of 
medicine in 1876 at Paris, Texas, Dr. McCristin being his preceptor. In 1878-79 
he graduated at the American Medical College of St. Louis ; later he continued his 
studies in Memphis, making surgery and gynaecology his specialties, and grad- 
uated there in 1884, also taking a course of lectures at Keokuk, Iowa. He began 
the practice of medicine in 1877. In 1886, however, he again took a course of 
medical study in the various hospitals and colleges of San Francisco. In 1887 
Dr. Morris married Miss Emma Hill, of New Orleans. The}' are the parents 
of four children: James B., Bascom F., May and Lillian. The Doctor is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor. He has been a 
member of the town council since the organization of the town. He is also cor- 
oner of Acadia parish. 

» * 

V. MAIGNAUD, Mermexteau. — V. Maignaud is a native of France, 
born 1831. He is the son of Louis and Mary (Dubos) Maignaud, both natives 



270 SO UTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

of France. The father was born in 1806, and the mother in 181 1 ; and died in 
1849 and 1880, respectively. 

The subject of this sketch was the second of a family of three brothers. 
He came to Louisiana in 1847, and for nineteen years was a resident of New 
Orleans. He was for a while engaged in the mercantile business, and later in 
conducting a dairy and bakery. In 1866 he came to what is now Acadia parish 
as a dry goods and notion peddler. In 1870 he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at this place, in which he has continued until the present time. For several 
years he operated a saw-mill in connection with his other business. In 1890 
he became a partner in a rice mill. Mr. Maignaud owns 1200 acres of well 
improved land, which he cultivates principally in rice. He was married in 
New Orleans, in 1885, to Miss Caroline Hinn, of that city. Eight children 
have been born to this marriage, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Maignaud 
has served as post-master at Mermenteau for twenty years. He is an energetic 

and progressive citizen. , 

• • 

DENNIS MILLER, Millersville. — Dennis Miller, a native of this State, 
was born in 1845. His father, Lufroy Miller, was born in t8io and died in 1872, 
and was a prosperous planter and stock raiser of this parish. His mother was 
also a native of this place. She died in 1870. 

What education Mr. Miller has acquired has been principally by observa- 
tion and private application, he never having had the facilities of a literary 
education. Mr. Miller is engaged in the dual occupation of planter and mer- 
chant, in both of which he is very successful. He owns in this parish about one 
thousand four hundred acres of land, three hundred of which he cultivates. He 
also gives special attention to stock raising. His general mercantile store at 
Millersville is well patronized and is flourishing. Mr. Miller is a leader in local 
affairs, and at present represents his ward in the police jur3^ He is also post- 
master at this place, which position he has filled for two years. 

» * 

DANIEL ROSE, Fabaciier. — Daniel Rose was born in Ashtabula county, 
Ohio, November, 1823. He died in Acadia parish, Louisiana, February, 1890. 
He was the son of Abner and Cynthia A. (Simons) Rose, both natives of Massa- 
chusetts. The Rose family were among the pioneer settlers of what is known 
as the Western Reserve of Ohio. The famil}' is of English descent. Abner 
Rose, the father of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He 
was a cooper and farmer b}' trade, and followed this in Ohio. 

The subject of this sketch was the oldest of a family of eleven children, 
seven sons and four daughters. The father died in 1884, at the age of ninety- 
two years, and the mother in 1886, at the age of ninety-one. Both were 
members of the Congregational church. The subject of this sketch began life 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 271 

at the age of eighteen years as the advance agent of Robinson's circus. In this 
he was engaged for thirty-four years, not this full time, however, with one 
circus. March 9, 186S, he was married to Miss Maria Ginett, a lady of English 
birth, who came to America in 1863. Becoming dissatisfied with the life of a 
traveler, and longing for the comforts of a quiet home, Mr. Rose, in 1877, 
bought a large tract of land in Acadia parish, Louisiana, and locating there, 
engaged in rice culture. At the time of his death he owned one thousand acres 
of land, with three hundred and fifty in cultivation. He was a prominent 
member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Rose was a gentleman much honored 
by those who knew him well, and in his death the parish sustained the loss of a 
good citizen. To him and wife was born one daughter, Chattie, an accomplished 

young lady. ^ 

• « 

^ CHRISTIAN RUPPERT, Fabacher, was born in Germany, October, 
1854. He is the son of M. and Barbara (Wagraman) Ruppert, who were also 
natives of Germanjr, They were the parents of six children, four sons and two 
daughters, viz: Jasph, Christian (the subject of this sketch), Elizabeth, Peter 
(deceased), Mary, Frank (deceased). Their mother died in Germany in 
1874. '^^'^ father came to America in 1882, and died at the home of our sub- 
ject. He was a farmer b}' occupation. 

Christian Ruppert came from Germany to Louisiana in 1870, and settled 
in Acadia parish, where he engaged in farming. He was married, in 1875, to 
Miss Mary Wilfert. To this union were born eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, viz: Joseph, Rosa, George, John, Mary, Anthony, Barbara, Agnes. 
Mr. Ruppert owns nine hundred acres of land, three hundred of which are 
under cultivation, the principal product being rice. He operates a saw-mill on 
his farm. Mr. Ruppert is a well-known and highly respected citizen of this 
parish. ^ 

» « 

ROBERT B. SLOANE, Rayne, was born in Acadia parish, Louisiana, 
in 1840. He is the son of David Sloane, who was in the war of 1812, and died 
between 1840 and 1845. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in Acadia parish. In 1862, 
he enlisted in the C. S. A., under Gen. Moulon, serving four years. He was 
first in the infantry service, and afterward transferred to the cavalry service. 
Since the war he has given his attention to planting, and now owns five hundred 
and sixty-one acres of land, part of which is fertile and tillable, and the other, 
thickly wooded with timber, such as pine, oak and gum. The principal products 
of his place are corn and rice. He also manages a stock farm. He was mar- 
ried, in 1866, to Miss Margaret Laughlin, a native of Acadia parish. . To them 
have been born nine children, four boys and five girls. 



272 SOUTH WEST L OUISIANA : 

V FERGUSON B. SLOANE, Rayne, was born February 26, 1831, in 
Acadia parish, Louisiana. He is the son of David Sloane and Catharine 
(Harmon) Sloane. They became the parents of seven children, three boys and 
four girls, our subject being the fourth in order of birth. 

Ferguson Sloane is a planter by occupatioa. He owns one liundred and 

twenty acres of good, tillable land, on which he cultivates rice. He is united 

in marriage with Miss Martha A. Bryan, a native of Louisiana. They are the 

parents of eleven children, four girls and seven boys. 

* 
* « 

V FELIX SIMON, Mermenteau. — Felix Simon, a merchant of Mermenteau, 
is a native of St. Landry parish, Louisiana, born March 18, 1868. He is the son 
of Duplissis and Marcelite (Sellers) Simon, both natives of Louisiana. His 
father was a planter of St. Landry parish, and served as a private in the Confed- 
erate States army during the whole of the war. He died February 17, 1873. 
To him and wife were born six children, five sons and one daughter. 

The subject of this sketch received an ordinary education, and in 1887 en- 
gaged in merchandising. Previous to embarking in business for himself he had 
been in the employ of A. Dupuis and Edward C. Fremeaux, merchants. Mr. 
Simon has been successful in his undertakings, and is a young gentleman of 
strict business habits. He owns a hundred arpents of land in Vermilion parish, 
and three hundred acres in Calcasieu. Mr. Simon was married, August 13, 1880, 
to Miss Olympe Duhon, a native of Louisiana, born in this parish March 27, 

1873- 

» 

« « 

"^ FRANCOIS SAVOY, Church Point, was born December, 1839, i" Aca- 
dia parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Valcour and Eugenie (Rider) Savoy, 
who were also natives of Louisiana. Valcour Savoy reared a family of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters. Valcour Savoy died in 1842 and 
Mrs. Savoy afterward married Thomas H. McGee. To them one child was 
born. 

The subject of this sketch received a common school education in St. 
Landry, now Acadia, parish. He began life as a planter, and this, in connection 
with a mercantile business which he has conducted for several years past, he has 
been engaged to the present time. He owns quite a large tract of land in Aca- 
dia parish and his mercantile business is flourishing. Mr. Savoy has on his 
plantation a gin which he operates. He also buys and sells cotton and rice in a 
considerable amount. Mr. Savoy has served as member of the police jury from 
his ward when Acadia was a portion of St. Landry parish. In politics he is a 
democrat, though he takes no active part in political affairs. He and his wife 
are catholics. 



HJSTiiRICAL AXn lilOirRArillCAL. 27S 

CAPT. JOHN M. TAYLOR. Church Point.— The subject of our .sketch 
was born October 31. 1840, in Holmes county, Mississijipi. He is the son of Job 
Ta\loi-. an eminent physician of Richland, Mississippi, and Mathilda ; Cotton) 
'ra\l(>r. Dr. Job Taylor was a natiye of South Carolina, and his wife of North . 
Carolina. '\ lic\- were married in North Caiolina, and removed from there to 
Alabama, where thev onl\- remained, howeyer, a short while, locating in Mis- 
sissipjii. where the Doctor engaijed in planting and practising his profession. 
Tlu'i-e were horn to them nine children, six sons and three dau<;hters. Mrs. 
^ra\loi- died in 1874. ^^"'' '^^'' husband in 18S5. At the lime of their death they 
wei-e residing at Longview, Texas, where they had removed several years previous. 

The subject of tiiis sketch enlisted in the C. S. A. in 1S61. His field of 
ojier.ition was chielh' in \'irginia. He participated in the battles of Second 
Manassas. Seven Pines 'ind \arious others. In 1863 he was discharged on 
account of ilisability. He returned to Texas, remaining there only a short time, 
however, when he enlisted again in the army, joining the First Texas Rangers, 
uiuier Col. W. P. Lane. At this time he was second lieutenant of the compan\', 
and was soon afterward promoted to captain and assigned to post dut\- the last six 
months of the war in Opelousas, Louisiana. After the war.he engaged in the 
practice of law at Opelousas and subsequently became a school teacher, in 
which occupation he still continues in connection with farming. He is a corre- 
spondent of the Times-Democrat, Opelousas Courier and the Crowle\' Signal. 
He has acquired considerable local distinction as a writer. He was married in 
January. 1865, to Miss Delia Garrigues, daughter of Judge Adolphe and Delia 
( Webb ) Garrigues. To them have been born nine children, four sons and five 
daughters, viz: George (L, printei" in the Signal office at Crowley : Delia, a 
public school teacher in Acadia parish; John jNL, Helen, Liso, Henry, Paul, 
CeceHa and .Mary L Their mofiier died in 1887, near Opelousas. She was a 
men.ber of the Catholic church. The Captain owns thirty-two acres of land in 
the \icinity of Oiielousas. He is a member of the Episcopal church. During 
Gov. Nicholls' first administrati<")n he was elected Superintendent of Instruction 
of St. Landry: Acadia at tliat time not being a parish. He has taken an active 
part in the improvement of the public school sj'stem in the State by the con- 
tribution oi many articles to the parochial newspapers, urging an efficient school 
system and the establishment of a liberal and ample school fund. He will con- 
tinue liis labors in behalf of popular education in the future and endeavor to 
place the school system on a solid basis in Acadia parish. 

JOHN WELCH, Crowlkv. — John Welch is a native of what is now Aca- 
dia parish, born 1835. His father was also a native of St. Landrv parish, and 
was by occupation a planter. He died about 1836, and his wife in 1871. In 
religion, they were both members of the Methodist church. 
f7;i 



274 SOr-77/ll7£sy L OVISIANA : 

Mr. Welch has followed the vocaiioii ol liis father — plaining. He owii.s a 
plantation in the parish, on which he raises principally rice, corn and potatoes. 
He was married in 1850, his wife being a native of Acadia parish. Five chil- 
dren born to their union are now living. Mr. Welch is a recent acquisition to 
the citizenship of Crowley, having come hither only about two years ago. 

^ RUFUS C. WEBB, M. D., R.\yne.— Dr. Rufus C. Webb was born in 
Acadia parish in 1862. He is the son of James and Nancy (Laughlin) Webb. 
The subject is the oldest of three children. James Webb, the present manager of 
a large rice mill in Rayne, is a native of what is now Acadia parish. In former 
years he was an extensive planter. 

Dr. Rufus C. Webb was educated at \^anderbilt University, both in the 
literary and medical schools. Later he took a special course of lectures at the 
medical school of Tulane University. The Doctor has been practising his pro- 
'fession at Rayne since completing his medical course. He is popular as a prac- 
titioner, and keeps well abreast with his profession. Dr. Webb is united in 
marriage with Miss Susan Clark, daughter of Dr. Clark, president of the police 
jury of Acadia p'arish. ^ 

^ COL. JAMES WEBB, Rayne. — Col. James Webb, a prominent citizen of 
Raj-ne and the operator of the rice mill at this place, was born in what is now 
Acadia parish, February 21, 1833. He is the son of John and Anne ( Myers j 
Webb, natives of England and Mississippi, respectively. John Webb came 
to the United States when a young man, and for a time traveled in Texas and 
through portions of the country, and early in the twenties located in what is now 
Acadia parish, Louisiana. He came to the United States as a sailor, and was 
on board the ship of which Nelson was in command at the battle of Trafalgar, 
in which Nelson fell. After coming to Louisiana he learned the tanner and 
saddler trade, at which he worked during most of his life. He died in 1857, at 
the age of seventy years. He was a member of the Church of England. Col. 
Webb's mother was born in Mississippi in 1792. She was of L-isli ancestry. 
She died in 1874 at the age of seventy-four 3'ears. 

Col. James Webb and his two sisters, Sarah A., widow of Cornelius Duson, 
now wife of W. W. Burton, of Acadia parish, and Mary E. (deceased), wife of 
C. Larmand, composed the family of which he is a member. Col. Webb spent 
his school days in this section, obtaining his education in the neighboring schools 
and from private tutorage. He first began business as a saddler, and later turned 
his attention to stock raising, in which he was engaged until the beginning of 
the war. He enlisted, in 1862, in Col. Biangie's regiment. Seventh Louisiana 
Cavalr}', Compan}' D, and was in service during the whole war. After his return 
from the army Col. Webb gave his attention to saw-milling and merchandising, 
in which he continued until the last four vears. He sold his mill interests in 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. -'T--. 

1886, and upon the erection of the rice mill at Rayne he took charge of it as 
nvxna.rer Col. Webb also owns a plantation on Plaquemine Brulee and a cattle 
ran<re\est of Rayne upon which he grazes about six hundred head of stock. Col.^ 
Webb has taken an active part in the local public affairs since being engaged in 
business at this place. Before the war he served for fourteen years as justice of 
the peace, and in 1874 was a State representative of St. Landry parish in the lower 
house He was a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis in 1888 that 
nominated Grover Cleveland for President. Col. Webb married, in 1S53, Miss 
Nancv Laucrhlin, of St. Landry parish. To them four children, three of whom 
arelivin.^, have been born, viz : Rufus C, M. D., Rayne ; Hines C, M. D., Crow- 
ley Laura Bertha, at home. John (deceased) was a merchant ot Plaquemine 
Brulee He died in 1881. Col. Webb has given each of his children a thorough 
collegiate education. His family are members of the M. E. Church, South. 

"f FRANCIS D. YOUNG. M. D.. R.vyxe.— Dr. Francis D. Young was born 
in Vermilion parish, Louisiana, March i, 1835- He is the son of Notley and 
Frazelie (De Villiere) Young. His father was a native of Washington, D. C. 
He was engaged in farming in Maryland until 181 1, when he removed to Louis- 
iana, and located in St. Landry, then Vermilion parish, where he became an 
extensive sucrar planter. In 185 1 he removed to Springfield, Kentucky, where 
he died about the close of the war. The mother of our subject was a native ot 
Louisiana of French extraction, her ancestors having been of the French nobility, 
who fled from their native country. She died when Francis D. was a child. 

The subject of this sketch is the fifth of a family of seven children. He 
received his literary education at St. Joseph College, Perry County, Ohio. 
Soon after leaving college he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Mont- 
gomery, of Springfield, Kentucky. In 1854-5S he was a student at the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. In 1855-56 he attended the medical 
department of the University of Louisiana, from which he graduated in the lat- 
ter year. He practised his profession in Lafayette for one year, when he re- 
moved to Abbeville. Vermilion parish, and practised until 1887, at which time 
he came to this place. Dr. Young is a representative man of his profession, 
and his ability as a physician is attested in the large practice which he has at this 
place. Theboctor was married in 1858 to Miss Jemima Campbell, a native ot 
Vermilion parish, Louisiana. Mrs. Young died December 25, i860, having 
become the'motherof a son— Notley C.-who is engaged in the drug business 
at Abbeville. October, 1862, Dr. Young married Miss Mary M. Guegon, ot 
Vermilion parish. To this union have been born ten children, six sons and tour 
daughters. Mrs. Young died in 1886. The Doctor and family are Catholics. 
Dr Youn^r has an exceptional family, three sons physicians, and a son-in-law, 
Drs. F. F. Young, B. I. Young W. G. Young and C. I. Edwards, all ot whom 
have made bright marks in their profession. 



K^ 



rL, '^J^ 






CHAPTER VI. 



PARISH OF VEl?MILION. 



E. I. ADDISON, Abekvilke. — E. I. Addison, editor of the Meridional, 
was born in Opelousas, Louisiana, December 30, 1S37. He is the son of 
George W. and Arthemise (Richard) Addison. George W. Addison was a 
native of Georgetown, South Carohna. He removed tg Louisiana early in life, 
where he married. He was for manv years editor and proprietor of the 
Opelousas Gazette, at Opelousas, one of the tirst papers published in that part 
of the State. He died in 1852. The mother of our subject was a native of St. 
Landry parish, Louisiana. She died in 1845. 

E. T Addison received his education in the schools of his locality, and 
learned the trade of printer at Abbeville. Louisiana, in the office of tlie Merid- 
ional, then owned and edited by E. L Guegnon, of which he had charge until 
the breaking out of the war. In 1862, he enlisted in Fournet's Yellow Jacket 
Battalion, and ser\ed through the entire war. After the surrender he returned 
home and resumed charge of the Meridional, which he has published up to the 
present time. In Januar}', 1891, Di\ C. J. Edwards acquired an interest in 
the business. The Meridional is a local weekly newspaper. Democratic in 
politics, and de\oted to the interests of Vermilion parisli in general. Mr. 
Addison was married in December, 1S60, to Miss Marie A. Blanchet. To 
them liave been born eight children, five sons and three daughters, viz: Joseph 
F., deceased; P. Gilbert, George C Adolph G., E. I., Jr., deceased: Maria 
C, Marie M. and Marie Augustine. Mrs. Addison died April 16, 1890. 

^ JOHN ABSHIRE, Jr., Abbii:vili.k. — Jolni Abshire, Jr., a prominent 
merchant of Ward 5, was born near his present place of residence, August 17, 
1S43. He is the second of a family of eight children, born to John Abshire. 
John Abshire, Sr., was a nati\e of \"ermilion parish, whose grandfather was 
directly from England. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the sciiools of Vermilion 
parish and from private tutorage. When seventeen years of age, in 1S61, he 
joined the Confederate army, enlisting in Fournet's Battalion. He was after- 



i>7x ^I'l '//liiESJ' Lul /SJAXA: 

waru L..ui>iciicn iu the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, in uuic;! nc ^c^\e(.l until 
the close of the war. He was in the battles of Bayou Lafourche, Camp Bis- 
land. Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. After the war Mr. Abshire returned to Ver- 
milion parish, and commenced farming and stock raising, which has been his 
principal occupation since that time. In 1S79 he opened a mercantile business, 
which he still conducts. He is the owner of twenty-five hundred acres of land, 
which he cultivates in cotton and corn. Mr. Abshire is a successful business 
man. He was married September, 1S65, to Bclzire Broussard. Thev are the 
parents of four children, three of whom are living, to-wit: Joseph T., Olita and 
John Allison. The other died in infancy. In politics Mr. Abshire adheres 
strictly to the principles of Democracy. He and family are members of the 
Catholic church. 

• 

JOS. T. ABSHIRE. M. D., Abbeville. — Dr. Abshire was bom in \'er- 

milion parish, October, 1S6S. He is the son of John Abshire, Jr. Dr. Abshire 
has received the highest possible educational advantages from his earliest years. 
At the age of fifteen he had made considerable progress at the school of St. 
Stanislaus, at Bay St. Louis, and from there he went to Grand Coteau, where 
he attended St. Charles College, graduating in the literar\" course at the age of 
nineteen years, 1SS7. 

His parents were in affluent circutnstances and he might well have returned 
home to his plantation and lived an easy life, but his professional ambitions 
would not permit him to idle any time and he at once entered upon the study of 
medicine, studpng for a short period under a preceptor, when he entered the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md., from which he gradu- 
ated in 1SS9. In tiie studv of his profession, as well as that of uie literary course, 
he was remarkabh* thorough. He made a special study of the eye, ear and 
throat. Immedialeh after having graduated he located on his plantation, close 
to Abbeville, where he remained until a few months since, when, finding his pro- 
fession largely on the increase, he moved to Abbe\-ille. in order to be more cen- 
trally- located. 

Dr. Abshire is an enthusiast in his profession and still pursues his studies 
on all studies tending to the advancement of his profession. He is a member of 
the Vermilion Parisii Medical Society, of which he is president. He is also a 
member of the Attakapas Medical SocietA". Dr. Abshire is not only popular 
among the people for whom he does practice, but stands high in the esteem of 
the best physicians in this section of the State. In politics the Doctor is a demo- 
crat. He is medical examiner of the Catholic Knights of America at this place. 
Dr. Abshire married Miss Ophelia Bourque, a native of AbbeA-ille. October. 
1SS9. They are the parents of one child, Robert LeRoy. 



IlISl'ORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHIC AL. 27'.t 

" HEXRV H. BARTELS, Abbeville.— Henry H. Bartels, a planter ol 
ward seven, is a native ot German}-, born December 23, 1828. He is the onl\- 
son of Frederick G. and Catherine A. (Brickweaden) Bartels, both natives of 
Germany. Frederick G. Bartels removed to Louisiana in 1842, and located in 
what is now Vermilion parish, where he resided until the time ot liis death, in 
1862. His widow survived him until 1880. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of 
German}-. He began business life as a planter and has closely followed this 
until the present time. In partnership with Solomon Wise, he owns seventeen 
hundred acres of land, one hundred and sixty of which they cultivate, princi- 
pally in corn and sugar cane. Thej- have a large sugar house on their planta- 
tion, also a cotton gin and grist mill, and also conduct a general mercantile bu:?i- 
ness at their place on Vermilion Bayou. 

Mr. Bartels was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in 1861, in Com- 
panv C, Eighth Louisiana Infantrv, and served as a private until 1S64, when he 
received a wound which rendered him unable for further service and he was 
discharged. In 1885 he was appointed police juror of the seventh ward and is 
the present incumbent of that position. JMr. Bartels married, in 1865, INIiss 
Elizabeth A. Petry, of Vermilion parish. They are the parents of eight chil- 
dren, three sons and five daughters, seven of whom are living, yiz : Catherine, 
wife of William Morgan ; Elijah E., Alice E., Herman F., Adplph G., Maggie, 
MaryE. Mr. Bartels is a prosperous business man and a worthy citizen. He 
and wife are members of the M. E. Church. South. 

« » 
^ LASTIE BROUSSARD, Abbeville. — Lastie Broussard, attorney at law, 
was born in Vermilion parish, December 15, 183S. He is the son of Augustine' 
A. and Marie Coralie Broussard, both natives of Lafayette parish, and both of 
Acadian ancestry. To them were born eleven children, five sons and six 
daughters, only live of whom are now living, viz: the subject of this sketch. 
Numa A., a resident of Vermilion parish; Marie Estelle. wife of Thogene 
Thibodeaux: Hortense, wife of Dolze Le Blanc, and Emma Bi-oussard, wife 
of Adolphe Le Blanc. Augustin A. Broussard was a farmer and stock raiser; 
he was also for a number of 3-ears police juror. He died in 1885, on his farm 
in Vermilion parish. His wife still .'survives him, being now about seventj'-eight 
years of age. 

The subject of tiiis sketch began life for himself at tiie age of twenty-one, 
as a clerk in a drug store, alter which he was made deputv sheriff for a period 
of two years. He was also assessor and parish treasurer for three years. Later 
he held the position of justice of the peace, and mayor of Abbeville, and for 
twenty-three years he was clerk ot the court. In 1879 '^^ ^^''** admitted to the 
bar, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession since 188S. In 1889 



280 SOr/JIU'EST L oris J. \XA : 

lie L-nlered in jiarUiersliip witli Walter A. White, and he is now one ol the lead 
in^ uttorne}-s of Abbeville. He was married in 1861 to Miss Perpetue Mayard. 
To tliein have been born filteen children, six sons and nine daughters, \iz: 
Odile and Odelia, twins; Odalie, deceased ; Olive, Ophe'ia, deceased; Lastie 
Odelin. Oliver. Octavia, Ovide. Onesia. Olita. Otto, Otis. Omca, deceased, and 
Opta. .Mr. Ijroiissaul owns twentv-tive hundred acres of land in \'ermilion 
])arish, two hundred of which are under cultivation: the principal products 
beins^ cane, corn, and rice. He also owns a considerable amount of property in 
Abbeville, Louisiana. Mr. Brousard and wife are members of the Catholic 
church. ^ 

" TIMOTHY BAGLEY, Ra.msicv. — Timothy Bagley, a prosperous sugar 
planter and manufacturer, of the Hrm of M. & T. Bagley, was born in Kings 
count\-, Ireland, 1845. He is the son of John Bagley. of whom mention is 
made in the sketch of Martin Bagle}'. 

Young Timothy attended the schools of Ireland and was engaged in farm- 
ing in that country until 1867, when he came to the United States and located 
in Lafourche parish, Louisiana, where he engaged in planting. In 1875 ^^*^ 
came to \'ermilion parish, and, in partnership with his brother, Martin Bagley, 
purchased a sugar plantation in \'ermi!ion parish of from tl-^ree to four hundred 
acres, in connection with which he now conducts a mercantile business. The 
Bagley Brothers are characterized by their energv, and their success since com- 
ing to Louisiana has been marked. Mr. Bagley was married, in 1884, to Miss 
Anna Fitzsimmons, a native of Ireland. To their union four children have 
been born. ^ 

* * 

V MARTIN BAGLEY, Ramsey.— Martin Bagley. of the firm of M. & T. 
Bagley, sugar refiners, was born in Kings county, Ireland, March 14, 1850. 
His parents came to America at an early day, but after a few years returned to 
Ireland, where young Martin received his education. John Bagley, the father 
of our subject, died in Ireland, 1852. He was the father of seven sons, of 
whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. 

Martin Bagle}', in company with his brother, Timoth}-, came to America in 
1866. They were first engaged in planting in Lafourche parish, and in 1874 
came to Vermilion parish, since which time the\' ha\e given their attention to 
sugar planting and merchandising. Tlie}' own in Vermilion parish eighteen 
hundred acres of land and raise enormous crops of cane and corn. Their refin- 
ery is fitted up with the latest improved machinery and has the capacity for 
manufacturing about two hundred barrels of sugar per day. The plant was 
erected at a cost of $30,000. Besides this, thev also have a refinery for the 
manufacture of clarified sugar, erected at a cost of $10,000. Tlie present year. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 2x1 

1890, Baglev Brothers ha\e maiiufacuired five thousand barrels ot sugar. Tlieir 
business is rapidly increaisng and the\- contemplate, in the near future, enlarg- 
ing their mill and placing in machinery with the capacity for a more extensive 
manufacture. Martin Bagley has spent a good deal of his time in travel and 
has been engaged in various vocations. lie was contractor on the Rock Island 
& St. Louis Railroad. Since his location at this place, he has given his 
attention exclusively to his planting interests. He was married in 1877 to Miss 
Rosa Lyon, daughter of David Lyon, of Abbeville. The}- are the parents of 
five children, two sons and three daughters, viz: John J., Katie A., Mary R., 
LIugh M., Bessie. Mrs. Bagley was a lady of high culture; she died Januaiy i, 
1881. She as is her husliand was a consistent member of the Chatholic church. 

* * 

JOHN M. BEAUXIS, Abbevii.le. — ^John M. Beauxis was born in France, 
September, 1849. He emigrated to x\merica in 1866, landing in Mexico, where 
he remained for six months as interpreter for the French government custom 
house at Zacatecas. He was driven from there by the Juarez government, after 
the battle of Queretaro. He thereupon came to Eagle Pass, Texas, and was 
employed at this place for three months in a saloon. In 1867 he located in New- 
Orleans and withstood a se\ere attack of yellow fever, which was then carrying 
off from three to four hundred people a day. Later Mr. Beauxis was engaged 
in the dairy business in New Orleans, until 1870, when he located in Abbeville, 
at which place he has resided up to the present time. He was appointed deput}' 
tax collector and served for three years, 1873-74-75, and then clerk in the as- 
sessor's office for three years, during which time he was engaged in mercantile 
pursuits. Mr. Beauxis owns three hundred acres of fine land and about thirt}- 
town lots. He has the most extensive grocery business in the town. He was 
married in 1873 to Miss Marie Trahon. To them two children were born, a 
son and a daughter, Fernand and Leontine. His wife's family were among the 
first settlers of the parish. Her grandfather came to Louisiana in 1792. Mr. 
Beauxis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Oriental Lodge, also the I. O. 
O. F. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. 

» 

* * 

^ JOHN BAPTIST BECKER, Abbeville.— John Baptist Becker, a large 
sugar planter and manufacturer, was born in New Orleans, 1840. He is the son 
of Peter and Ellen (Moore) Becker. His father was a native of Alsace, Ger- 
man}-, and came wath his parents to the United States when he was about twelve 
3'ears of age. Several 3'ears prior to his death he was a grocer in New Orleans. 
The mother of our subject is also a native of 'Alsace. She removed with her 
parents to New York Cit)^ and from thence to New Orleans. She died in that 
city. The subject of this sketch and his brother, Nicholas, are the only two 
survivinir members of the familv. 



■js-2 SOU7'HU'ES7' L0L7S/A.VA : 

John Biiplist Becker spent his school cla\'S in New Orleans, and received a 
good business education. At the beginning of the civil war lie joined the 
Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry and served during the whole war. His field of 
operations was in Louisiana, and he participated in the battles of Camp Bisland, 
Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. After the war he engaged in planting, which he 
has since followed with good success. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Rosalin 
Lecour, of Vermilion parish. The}' are the parents of eleven children, eight 
sons and three daughters. He and wife are members of the Catholic churcli. 

^ J. A. BROOKSHIER, Abbeville. — J. A. Brookshier is a native of North 
Carolina, born in 1845, as were his parents, Benjamin L. and Margaret A. 
(McCall) Brookshier. They removed from North Carolina to Green county, 
Indiana in 1846, where Benjamin L. worked at the blacksmith trade. In 1872 
the}' removed to Vermilion parish, and Mr. Brookshier here engaged in planting. 
He ser\ed as registrar of Vermilion parish for a period of two years, and at the 
time of his death, in 1878, he was a resident of Morgan City. His wife died in 
Abbeville in 1848. They reared a family of seven children, of whom the subject 
of this sketch and his sister, Mrs. Eliza Ewing, of New Iberia, are the only 
surviving members. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Indiana, 
and learned the blacksmith trade with his father. Since locating in Abbeville 
he has conducted a blacksmith shop; also a cotton gin, witli a capacity for baling 
twenty bales of cotton per day. Mr. Brookshier has served as tax collector of 
Vermilion parish for two years, and was inspector of customs at Redfish Point 
from 1870 to 1S75. He served for a number of years as president of the parish 
school board, and takes an active interest in public education. 

He married, in 1868, Miss Emeline Mimms, of Abbeville. Mrs. Brookshier 
died in 1872, having become the mother of a son, Claude O. Mr. Brookshier 
married again. Miss Zerida Harrington, daughter of Joseph W. Harrington, of 
Vermihon parish. They are the parents of one living son, John A. Mr. 
Ijrookshier is a member of the Masonic and Order K. of H. In politics he is a 
Republican, and for a number of years was chairman of the parish Republican 
committee, of which he is the present secretary. 

'^ ADAM BOUDREAU, Abbeville.— Adam Boudreau was born at Roy- 
ville, Lafayette parisli, Louisiana, April 27, 1862. He is the son of Joseph and 
Marie Eulalie (Nufiez) Boudreau, both natives of Louisiana. Joseph Boudreau 
died in 1888, at the age of seventy-one years. In his younger days he gave his at- 
tention to planting, and later in life engaged in merchandising; but the chief 
business in which he engaged during the whole of his life was stock raising, in 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 28:5 

which he was abundantly successful. He removed from Roy\ille, Lalayette 
parish, to \^ermihon in iSSS, and to Abbeville in 18S2. He was a heavy loser 
by the war, but before his death had accumulated quite a fortune. He was 
active in the manipulation of party affairs and was alwaj'S a staunch democrat. 
During the late war he was in the Confederate States senice, and was detailed 
to duty on board a steamboat plving on the Teche and Vermilion Bayous. He 
was twice married, first to Miss JNIarie S. Bourke, of Lafayette parish; she died, 
and he afterward married the mother of our subject, who is the only surviving 
member of a family of five children born to this union. 

Adam Boudreau received his education in the schools of Royville and La- 
f:i3'ette. He subsequently pursued a course of book-keeping at Soulc's Busi- 
ness College, New Orleans. He was engaged with his father in business until 
tiie time of the latter's death; since which time he has conducted a business on 
his own account. That Mr. Boudreau is a business man of high qualifications, 
is attested by the success which has attended his business undertakings. 

He was married in 18S2 to Miss Farzalie Mouton, daughter of Onezime 
Moutor>, of \"ermilion parish. To this union have been born five children, 
■four sons and a daughter. Mi". Boudreau and family are members of the 
Catholic church. In politics lie is a conservative democrat. 

»* WILLIAM CADE, Ramsey. — William Cade is a native of Lafayette par- 
ish, Louisiana, born June 7, 1853. He is the son of Robert and Martha 
(Marsh) Cade, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Hon. Overton Cade, 
of Lafaj-ette. 

Wm. Cade is one of a family of five children, three of whom are now liv- 
ing: William, Charles T., Overlon,the present representative in the State Legis- 
lature from Lafayette parish. Those deceased are Charles and Bancker. 
William Cade was reared on a plantation, and received the benefit of the 
best education the neighboring schools afforded. He has given his entire atten- 
tion to planting, and in this he has been successful. He owns seventeen hun- 
dred acres of land, with about two hundred under cultivation, the principal 
products being cotton and cane. His plantation is situated on Bayou Vermilion, 
eight miles south of Abbeville. In connection with his plantation Mr. Cade 
operates a large combined cotton and grist mill. He was married in Vermilion 
parish, in 18S2, to Miss Margaret Broussard. They are the parents of four liv- 
ing children, viz: Edith L., Bancker, Walter, Margaret O.; John T. is 
deceased. Mr. Cade is a member of the K. of H., and is also a member of the 

Episcopal cliurch. , 

* * 

^ NEWTON R. CAMPBELL, Abbeville.— Newton R. Campbell, one of 
the leading citizens of ward 7, was born, near his present place of residence, 



2JS4 sor'/7/u y:.sy j.urj.siAXA: 

Marcli 9, 1S36. He is the son of Levi Hampton and Delciiia (Landiy) Camp- 
bell. J^evi H. Campbell was born in Georgia, iSoi. His father was a native of 
Scotland, and removed to Georgia early in life. Young Levi II. was about four 
vearb of age when his parents removed to what is now Vermilion parish, thev 
being among the first English families who located in this section. Here Levi 
H. Campbell received a meagre education, married and became a successful 
planter. He died at the age of forty years. Newton R. Campbell's mother 
died in this parish in 1883, at the age of seventy-four years. 

The subject of this sketch is the sixth of ten ciiildren. He received his 
education principally in the home schools, which was quite limited, as he was 
about nine years of age when his father died, and it devolved upon him at an 
early day to labor for the support of the family. Mr. Campbell has gi\en his 
entire attention to planting through his whole life, and in this occupation he has 
been fairly successful. His plantation consists of five hundred acres of valua- 
ble land, which he cultivates principally in cotton, corn and potatoes. Campbell 
prairie, near this place, is the property of our subject. Early in 1862 Mr. Camp- 
bell joined Fournet's Battalion, then the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, in which 
he served until discharged. He was in the battle of Camp Bisland. and was 
there severely wounded, from which he was rendered unfit for further service. 
July 12, 1S65, Mr. Campbell married Mrs. Silina Shaw. To this union five 
children have been born, viz: Don A., Daisy J., Dora D.. Oralind B. and New- 
ton G. ^ 

EUGENE DEMARY, Abbeville. — Eugene Demary was born in France. 
in 1832. He is the son of Nicholas Demary and Mary Verio, both of whom were 
natives of France. They emigrated to America in 1837, locating first in New- 
Orleans, and afterward in Franklin, St. Mary parish. Here Nicholas Demary 
became a successful merchant and sugar planter. After residing there for a few 
years, he removed to Vermilion parish, and built the first house erected in Abbe- 
ville. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace, and was promi- 
nent in all local proceedings. He was a distinguished member of the Masonic 
fraternity. He died in 1S61. Our subject's mother died in 1844. Both were 
members of the Catholic church. The subject of this sketch and a sister are the 
onl}' living members of the family. 

Eugene Demary was married, in 1854, to Miss Josephine Boudreaux. They 
are the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters; P.uiiela 
(deceased), Felix W. (deceased), Leon (deceased), Leopold, Paula, Paolitas, 
and Albert N. Mr. Demary owns one hundred acres of land near Abbeville, 
where he has resided thirty-four years. He has given his attention exclusively 
to planting. Mr. Demar}' was a soldier in the late war, having enHsted in 1S61 
and served until May, 1865. He has at different times held the positions of 



lUSlXlRICAL AND BIOGRAPHTCAL. 2S5 

deputy sheriff, constable, and treasurer, of the town of Abbeville, and is one of 
\'ermilion's most progressive and energetic citizens. 

« 

^ JUDGE W. W. EDWARDS, Abbeville.— Judge Wakeman W.Edwards, 
a prominent member of the Abbeville bar, was born in Saratoga county, New 
York, September 13, 1826. His grandfather, Edwards, was born on Long 
Island, of English parentage. Our subject is the oldest of a familv of three 
children born to Henr\- and Betsy (Rogers) Edwards, both of whom were na- 
tives of New York. Henr)' Edwards was a prosperous farmer. He died in Xrw 
York in 1S52. His wife died in 1856. 

Judge Edwards received his education at Union College, Scheiiectadv, Xew 
York, of which institution he is a graduate. After leaving college young Ed- 
wards emigrated to Mississippi, where he was engaged in school teaching for 
five years, at the same time pursuing a course of stud}'. He was admitted to 
tliL- bar in Canton. Mississi]ipi, 1855, and began practice tlie following year in 
Conwax county. Arkansas. He served as a member of the Legislature from 
1S5S to i860. In 1S59 Judge Edwards removed to Lake Village, Chicot county, 
Arkansas, where he practised law until 1863, when lie entered the Confederate 
Slates army, and served during the latter two years of the war. After the war 
he located in New Orleans, where he remained until 1875, in which year lie 
came to xAbbeville and practised law, and was editor and proprietor of the Ver 
milion Banner. He abandoned the Banner after one year, and since tiiat time 
lias piactissd his profession. Mr. Edwards was appointed district judge in 1889 
to fill the unexpired term of Judge C. Debaillon. He was president of the parish 
school board tor several years; and for two years served as United States Com- 
missioner of the western district of Louisiana. Judge Edwards ranks high as a 
law\'.r, and as a citizen he is public-spirited, and is always identified with meas- 
ures originated for tlie promotion of the public good. 

* 

^ C. J. EDWARDS. M. D., Abbeville.— Dr. Edwards was born near Little 
Rock, Arkansas, October 13. 1858. He is the son of Judge W. W. Edwards, 
whose sketch appears above. Dr. Edwards was reared and educated in New 
Orleans and first engaged in business in 1876 at Abbeville in the publication of 
the Vermilion Banner in conjunction with his father. In 1881 he entered the 
Kentucky School of Medicine, remaining there one year. In 1882-S3 he at- 
tended the University of Louisville, from whicli he graduated in 1883 at the 
head of his class. Tlie same j-ear he began die practice of his profession in 
Chicot county, Arkansas, whence he went to New Iberia, remaining one year, 
and tiien removed to Abbeville, where he formed a partnership with Dr. F. F. 
Young, and with him he was associated until January, 1888. Dr. Edwards has 



286 SOUy-H] VES T LOL IS I A NA : 

a lucrative practice. He wa.s married Oclol)er 7, 1SS7, to Miss Kale M. Yount;-, 
daughter of Francis D. Young, M. D., and Mathilde Gut-goii. They are the 
parents of two sons, Harold G. and Mark H. Dr. Edwards is prominent in 
local affairs and is identified with the leading interests of his localit\-. He is 
president of the local fire department, member of the town council, and one ot 
the directors of the Abbeville Loan Association. He is health officer ot \Y'r 
milion parish. In 1891 he became associated with E. I. Addison in the propri- 
etorship of The Meridional. 

GUS GODCHAUX, Abbeville. — Gus Godchaux, a prosperous merchant 
and planter, was born at Franklin, Louisiana, October 17, 1853. He is the son 
of David and Brunet (Block) Godchaux, both natives of France. They moved 
to St. Mary parish, Louisiana, in the the forties, where they reared a family of 
ten children, si.x sons and four daughters; the subject of this sketch being the 
only one of the children now living. His father has for many years been en- 
gaged in mercantile business at Franklin, where he and his wife still reside. 

Gus Godchaux engaged as a clerk in a store at the age of fifteen years, in 
which capacity he worked for several years in New Orleans, Morgan City, and 
other places. At the age of twenty-three 3'ears he opened a mercantile business 
in Abbeville and has here been engaged since that time. He has prospered and 
owns a considerable amount of property in Vermilion parish. He has four 
hundred and ninety acres of land near Abbeville, and is the possessor of twenty- 
three town lots, some of which are improved. His mercantile business is large 
and under Mr. Godchaux's judicious management is constantly increasing. He 
is a large shipper of cotton, cotton seed and sugar, tie is a member of the 
Masonic Order and K. of H., and has held high offices in both lodges of which 
he is a member. 

JOSEPH T. GUIDRY, Abbeville. — Joseph T. Guidry was born in St. 
Martin parish, Louisiana, December 22, 1837. He is the son of Joseph T. 
Guidry, a native of St. Martin parish. Joseph T. Guidry, Sr., was a successful 
planter of St. Martin parish, and at the beginning of the war possessed a large 
fortune, but as it consisted of slaves and personal property to a great extent, he 
lost nearl}- everything by the war. He died about 1S75, at the age of sixty- 
eight years. 

Joseph T. Guidr}', Jr., was the second of a family of six children, and the 
only one now living. He received his education in St. Martin p irish, in the 
common schools, and remained with liis father on his plantation until he was 
wenty-one years of age, when he removed to Vermilion parish, and located 
where he now resides. His plantation is situated three miles west of Abbeville, 
and is noted for its beauty and fertilitv. Shortly after locating at this place Mr. 



HISTORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. iWl 

Giiitlry married Miss Marie Nunez, a sister of Adrien Nunez, whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere. To this union has been born a daughter, Rose Belle, wife of 
E. C. Kibbe. Since beginning business in Vermilion parish Mr. Guidry 
lias been a stock raiser and planter, and being possessed of the energy which 
characterizes the family he has been abundantly successful. Mr. Guidry was a 
soldier in the late Civil War, having joined Fournet's Battalion in 1862. Later 
he was transferred to the Eighth Louisiana Cavalry, in which he served until 
tlie war closed. .^ 

•^ HOWARD MOFFPAUIR, Inuiax Bayoi.— Edward Iloftpauir. one 
of Vermilion's best known citizens, was born near where he now resides, 
March 21, 1841. He is the second of a family- of six children now living born 
to Isaac and Eliza (Perry) Hoffpauir. His father is a nati\e of Vermilion 
parish, and his mother of St. Landry. Isaac Hoffpauir is a planter of Ver- 
milion parish. He is of direct German descent. Both he and his wife are 
members of the M. E. Church South. 

Howard Hoffpauir, the subject of this sketch, recei\-ed his education in the 
schools ol hislocalit}-. During the war he was in the heavy artillery service, 
C. S. A., at Vicksburg, then again in cavalry service in Louisiana. Immediatety 
after the war he began business as a stock man and merchant in Vermilion 
parish. In the latter occupation he only continued for the period of one year. To 
former he has given his chief attention to the present time. Of recent years, 
also, Mr. Hoffpauir has been quite extensively engaged in planting. He has 
about four hundred acres of land, the greater portion of which he cultivates 
in rice, cotton, and sugar cane. 

Soon after the war Mr. Hauffpauir was elected justice of the peace, and 
held the ofKce for man\- 3'ears, the last time he was elected refusing to accept 
the position. He has served as police juror from his ward for eighteen years, 
and the greater portion of this time has been its president. The present sound 
financial condition of Vermilion parish attests the efficiency with which they 
have been controlled. Mr. Hoffpauir married, December 19, 1868, Ada Spell, 
of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of six sons and five daughters. The 
subject and wife are members of the M. E. Church South, of which Mr. Hoff- 
pauir is a steward and active worker. 

J. T. HAMBLET, M. D., Perry's Bridge.— Dr. J. T. Hamblet was born 
in Lafayette county, Mississippi, May i, 1847. His parents, Samuel and Malissa 
(Beevers) Hamblet, were both natives of Georgia, but removed to Mississippi 
early in life, where they reared a family of fifteen children, of whom Dr. J. T. 
is the eldest. Mrs. Hamblet died in 1885, and Samuel Hamblet married a 
second time, December, 1890, a Miss Cobb. 



•i-^.s SOCTinVES'J' L OUISIANA ■ 

Dr. J. T. Ilamblel received the benefits of a good business education. At 
the age of eighteen vears he was engaged as overseer on a phuitation in Missis- 
sippi, in which capacity he served for about a year, when lie accepted a position 
a-* clerk in a drug store at Water Valley, Mississippi, where he remained lour 
\ears. From there he went to INIemphis, Tennessee, and was for a numbci- of 
vears engaged in a wholesale and retail drug house. In 1872-73 lie attended 
the Memphis Medical College, from which he graduated in the latter \ear. He 
liegan practice in Delav. Mississippi, May. 1874- 

Dr. llamblet was married in Oxford, Mississippi, 1875, to Miss Augusta K. 
Robertson, daugliter of G. W. and Mary ( Winfield) Robertson. Mrs. llamblet 
died October 31, 1886. at Perry's Bridge. Louisiana, where the Doctor had lo- 
cated the vear previous. Dr. llamblet was married a second time, 1887. to Mrs. 
Kate Nourse. widow of Hiram L. Xourse. of New Orleans. 

Dr. llamblet has a large jiractice and conducts a drug business at Pei'ry's 
Bridge. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church South. The Doctor 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H., in botli of which orders lie is a 
prominent worker. ^ 

^ JOSEPH \V. HARRINGTON, Abbevillk.— Joseph \V. Harrington, a 
prominent citizen of Ward 6. was born in \'ermilion parish, on Cow Island, 
March 4. 1S32. He is the son of William antl Sarah (Faulk) Plarrington. 
AVilliam Harrington was a native of Alabama, but his parents removed to Bavfiu 
Teche, Louisiana, when he was about three j-ears of age, being the first English 
speaking settleis who located on the Teche. Mr. Harrington died February 9, 
1882, at a ver\" atlvanced age — probably from one hundred and one to one hun- 
dred and nine vears. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was on his way 
to New Orleans to participate in that celebrated battle, lut did not arrive on the 
scene of conllict uniil after the battle was over. Ilis principal occupation in life 
was planting and stock raising, lie was one of the most methodical of men, and 
in his habits was strictly temperate, and to this he ascribed the extraordiiiar\' 
age to which he attained. In politics he was a whig, and after that part}' was de- 
funct he voted the republican ticket. As a planter and stock raiser he had the 
reputation of being one of the most successful in the section in which he lived, 
but owing to extreme liberality he iiex'er amassed a fortune, though he was com- 
fortabh- situated. The mother of our subject died at the age of sixty-five \-ears. 
Joseph W. Harrington, the subject of this sketch, is the sixth of a family of 
tliirteen children. He received his education in the schools of his locality, and, 
at twenty-one vears of age, began life as a planter and stock raiser on the planta- 
tion where he now resides, which, at that time was wild prairie laiul. His 
plantation is a beautiful one. well improved and favorably located. In 1S62 
Mr. Harrington joined Fournels Battalion, in which he served until he was dis- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 28!) 

cliargt'd. jusl before the battle of Camp Bisland. By the war he lost lieavil)v 
but with patient energy soon regained a solid standing. In 1852 he married 
Miss Aitha Faulk, daughter of Benjamin Faulk. To them have been born five 
children, three of whom are living, viz: Augustus, planter and stock raiser of 
Vermilion parish: Zerilda, wife of John Brookshier, of Abbeville; Robert C.,. 
farmer and merchant of Vermilion parish. Mr. Harrington is a member of the 
Masonic order of Abbeville, and is president of the Farmers' Alliance at this 
place- 



^ \V. G. KIBBE, M. D., Abbkvii-i.e. — Dr. W. G. Kibbe is a native of what 
is now Vermilion parish, born January 25, 1842. His father, William Kibbe, 
was a native of Minehead, Vermont, born in 1813. When a boy his parents 
removed to Louisiana, where Wm. Kibbe married Miss Louise S. Campbell. 
They became the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch 
and Frances L., wife of Delmas Dubois, now residing in Houston, Texas, are 
the only surviving members. Mrs. Kibbe died in 1844, and the Doctor's father 
afterward married Miss Kisiah Campbell, a cousin of his former wife. There 
were born to their marriage five sons and one daughter. William Kibbe was a 
well-known attorney, and was, at the time of his death in 1878, parish judge. 

Dr. W. G. Kibbe received a good business education in the schools of the 
locality in which he was reared. He pursued a medical course at the medical 
school of what is now Tulane University from which he graduated. At the age 
of eighteen he enlisted in the Confederate States Army, and was in the 
first battle of Fort Jackson, in which he received a slight wound. From that 
time until the close of the war, he was engaged in hospital service, principally 
in New Iberia and Shreveport. After the war, in 1865, Dr. Kibbe located at 
Lake Charles. Louisiana, where he practised medicine for five years. He mar- 
ried ill 1863 Miss Sophie Walker, a native of Kentucky. Though her parents 
moved to St. Mary parish, Louisiana, when she was a child. At the time of her 
marriage, she was a resident of Nacogdoches, Texas, where her parents had 
removed as refugees during the war. To this union nine children were born, 
five sons and four daughters, six of wiiom are living, viz: Joseph E., M. D. ; 
Mary Lou, Nora Lee, Fannie E., M. U. Payne. Charles W. Dr. Kibbe moved 
from Lake Charles to Perry's Bridge in 1870, and in 1878 to Abbeville, where 
he has practised his profession since. 

WILLIAM W. KUEHLING. Abbkvillk.— William W. Kuehling. planter, 
ot Ward 2, was born in Virginia, October 8, 1S49. He is the son of John N. and 
Anna C. Kuehling. His father was a native of Strasburg, Germany, and re- 
moved to America when a young man. He married in Washington Citv, and 



2!)(J .S O UTIl WES T LO UISIA NA : 

afterward removed to Virginia, wliere he became a prosperous planter. Mrs. 
Kuehling is still living and is a resident of Fairfax county, Virginia. 

William Kuehling is one of a family of five children, now living. In 1872, 
he removed from Virginia to Louisiana, locating in Vermilion parish. Here he 
married, October 16, 1881, Miss Leonline Loquex, a native of New Orleans. 
Mr. Kuehling was appointed sheriff of Vermilion parish in 1882, and, under 
President Cleveland's administration, served as inspector of customs for this 
section of Louisiana. Since 1881 he has conducted a mercantile business at 
Bayou Ligre. He also owns nine hundred acres of land, sixty of which lie 
cultivates in cotton and corn. His place is well improved, and he has on il an 
orange grove of one hundred and tift}'^ trees, besides a variety of other fruit. 
Mr. Kuehling is a member of the K. of H., at Abbeville, and is a member of the 
M. E. Church South. His wife is a member of tlie the Catholic church. 
They are the parents of six children, three of whom are living, viz : Bertha, 
Warren W., Esther. Those deceased are, William W., Lionel. Leloa. 



^ SEVERIN LeBLANC, Abbeville. — Severin LeBlanc, merchant and 
planter, resides about ten miles northeast of Abbeville. He is a native of 
Vermilion parish, born within a short distance of where he now resides, 
February, 1833. ^^^ parents, Joseph and Clarisse (Trahon) LeBlanc were 
natives of Lafayette parish. His father died in 1850, at the age of fort3'-six 
3'ears, and his mother, in i860, at the age of fifty-three years. Joseph LeBlanc 
was an extensive planter. He was a prominent citizen, and prior to his death 
served for ten years as member of the school board. He was the father of 
eleven children, five of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being 
the second in order of birth. 

Severin LeBlanc, the subject of this sketch, pursued his studies in the local 
schools of Vermilion parish, acquiring a good English and French education. 
After the death of his father he assumed charge of the plantation, and in this, 
and a mercantile business, he has been engaged during the whole of his life. 
His plantation in Vermilion parish consists of one thousand five hundred and 
sixteen arpents of land. In 1882 Mr. LeBlanc opened a store at his present 
place of residence, and since has conducted a flourishing business in that line. 
Mr. LeBlanc has never sought political preferment, and, in fact, has steadfastly 
refused to be the recipient of any political honor. He was married, Jul}', 1853, 
to Miss Leontine Blanchet, of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of eleven 
living children, eiglit sons and three daughters. The family are catholics. 
Mr. LeBlanc in politics is a conservative democrat. He was a soldier through 
nearly the whole of the war, having joined, in 1862, Fournet's Battalion. Com- 
pany F, of which he afterward became first lieutenant. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. -ii)! 

Y 

LUCIUS LkBLANC, M. D., Gregg. — Dr. Lucius LeBlanc was born in 

this parish, February i6, 1861. He is the son of Severin LeBlanc, above 

mentioned. 

The subject of this sketch received his literary education at Holy Cross 

Collejje, New Iberia. On leaving school he conducted a drug business at Royville 

and New Iberia, in the meanwhile devoting his time to the study of medicine. 

From 1883 to 1885 he attended the Tulane University at New Orleans, from 

which institution he graduated in April of the latter year. He thereupon 

located at this place and has succeeded in building up an extensive practice. At 

one lime he was post-master of Gregg. Dr. LeBlanc married, in 1887, Miss 

Emma Broussard. Dr. LeBlanc is a democrat. 



JOSEPH ALCEE LeBLANC, Abbeville.— Joseph Alcee LeBlanc, 
police juror from ward i, was born in St. Mary parish, Louisiana, December 
16, 1849. He is the son of John and Baptiste LeBlanc, both natives of this 
parish, where they were reared and married. They lived for some time after 
their marriage in St. Mary parish, but subsequently returned to Vermilion 
parish, where they have since resided. Mr. John LeBlanc has been a planter 
the whole of his life. He was a soldier in the late war, serving in Four- 
net's Battalion as sergeant of his compan}-, and afterward was transferred to 
the Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, and later was an officer in the Fourth 
Louisiana Cavalry. 

The subject of this sketch spent his school da3S in St. Mary and 
Vermilion parishes, receiving a common school education. He has given his 
attention entirely to his planting interests since engaging in business and is 
one of the well-to-do planters of Vermilion parish. He was appointed member 
of the police jury in 1S84, and in 1S88 was reappointed. Mr. LeBlanc mar- 
ried, in 1872, Miss Broussard, of Vermilion parish. To this union four sons 
and five daughters have been born, all of whom are living. Politically Mr. 
LeBlanc is an unwavering Democrat. 

A. L. LeBLANC, Abbeville. — A. L. LeBlanc, sheriff of Vermilion 
parish, was born in this parish, September 10, 1855. He is one of a family of 
twelve children born to Richard and Ida (Moore) LeBlanc. Both parents were 
natives of this State. His father was a successful farmer and stock raiser. The 
LeBlanc family is one of the first of Louisiana, being descendants from French 
noblemen who sought refuge from the turbulent scenes of the old country in 
Louisiana. Richard LeBlanc is a successful planter of Vermilion parish. 

A. L. LeBlanc, the subject of this sketch, attended school in Jefferson county, 
Texas, for a period of five vears. After returning liome he was engaged in 



292 SOUTHWES7 LOUISIANA: 

farming with his father for a number of years. He married, in 1878, Miss 
Louise Bourque, daughter of Ulger Bourque. Mrs. LeBlanc died in 1880. Mr. 
LeBhinc afterward married Mathilda LeBlanc, and to this union have been born 
five children, four daughters and a son, viz: Louise, Louis, Lelia. Clara, 
Aiphonsine. 

A. L. LeBlanc has served as deputy sheriff of Vermilion parish for a 
period aggregating fourteen years, and was elected sheriff of Vermilion parish in 
1888, of which office he is the present efficient incumbent. He is a prosperous 
planter and owns considerable town property in Abbeville. Having been so long 
engaged in public services there are few men more competent to perform the 
official duties incumbent upon one occupying his responsible position than Mr. 
LeBlanc. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. 

» 

^ ALCIDE LeBLANC, Abbeville. — Alcide LeBlanc was born in Ver- 
milion parish, Louisiana, September, 1840. He is the son of Joseph and Clarisse 
(Trahon) LeBlanc, both natives of Louisiana. Joseph LeBlanc was a planter 
of Vermilion parish. To him and wife were born seven children, four sons and 
three daughters. Mr. LeBlanc died in 1861 and his wife in i860. 

Alcide LeBlanc began business at the age of twenty-one as a merchant in 
Abbeville, in which, however, he only continued for a short time. He was a 
soldier during the late war, having enlisted in the spring of 1862, and served 
until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Mansfield, Bisland, and 
numerous other minor engagements. His command was at Natchitoches at the 
time they received their discharge. Mr. LeBlanc was appointed deputy clerk 
of the district court January, 1883, and elected clerk in April, 1883, of which 
office he is the present incumbent. Mr. LeBlanc was married in 1867 to Miss 
Eliza Bernard. To them eight children have been born, five sons and three 
daughters, viz: Editha, Leonie, Bernard, Gabriel, Lucy, Eli, Joseph, Arthur, 

deceased. , 

» * 

L. LEOTAUD, Abbeville. — L. Leotaud was born in Harrison county, 
Texas, 1859. He is the son of Anthony and Maudeline V. (Ruddy) Leotaud, 
the former a native of Marseilles, France, and the latter of Germany. To them 
were born five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was 
the youngest. Anthony Leotaud was engaged in the hotel business in Galves- 
ton up to the time of his death. In his earlier days he had been captain of a vessel 
on the Gulf of Mexico for a number of years. He died in Texas in 1871. His 
wife died in i860. 

The subject of this sketch was reared principally in Abbeville. At the age 
of thirteen years he became a clerk in a store at Abbeville, Louisiana, and fol- 
lowed this occupation for a number of years. He owns residence property in 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. l'!)S 

Abbtville, and a drinking saloon, which gives him a good income. Mr. Leotaud 
was married, in 1882, to Miss Louise Veazy, of Abbeville, daughter of Theo- 
phile Veazy. They are the parents of three children, two daughters and a son. 
viz: Lily, Anita and Sidney. Mr. Leotaud and wife are members of the Cath- 
olic church. „ 

» » 

\y MARTIN V. LAMPMAN, Abbeville. — Martin V. Lampniaii, a farmer. 
living about a mile east of Abbeville, was born in Columbia county. New York, 
Juhe 18, 1842. He is the son of C. J. and Lydia Lampman, both natives of 
New York. The father was a farmer, which occupation he followed until the 
time of his deatli in 1867. After his death liis wife and children removed to 
Pennsylvania, where she died in 1872. 

The subject of ihis sketch is the fourth of a family of five sons and one 
daugliter. He came to Louisiana in 1873, being the only member of his family 
who came to this countrj'. He owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres of 
land under fence, on which he raises corn, cotton and cane. He also keeps a 
dairy and furnishes milk to the town of Abbeville. 

He was married in New Orleans in 1864, while in the United States army, 
to Miss Hannah Leckert. They were the parents of four children, three sons 
and a daughter, viz: Charles A., Martin, Edgar and Jennie. Mrs. Lampman 
died in 1880, and Mr. Lampman was married a second time, to Miss Pauline 
Stephen. To them four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born. 
Mr. Lampman has been a member of the school board for a number of j'ears, 
and has been commissioner of election ever since he removed to this parish. He 
was president of the first Farmers' Union that was organized in this parish, and 
was vice president of the union for a 3'ear. He is also a member of the Build- 
ing and Loan Association of Abbeville. In religion he is a Methodist. 

« • 
REV. A. M. MEHAULT, Abbeville.— Rev. Father A. M. Mehault, 
parish priest of Vermilion, was born in France, June, 1843. He was educated 
for the priesthood in France, and emigrated to America in 1865, landing 
at New Orleans, where he was ordained priest in 1867. The same year he 
was located at Opelousas as vicar, and was also vicar at Abbeville for one year 
and a half, where, in December, 1868, he was sent. He became parish priest 
in 1870, and in that capacity has continued till the presenttime. Father Mehault 
is known throughout the parish as a high minded Christian gentleman. Under 
his abfe administration, his parochial affairs have been in excellent condition. 
A large $13,000 church house and $15,000 convent have been erected, the 
latter of wliich is attended by a great number of children. Rev. Father 
Mehault was one of the heaviest contributors to the building of these institu- 
tions, which by his untiring energy and perseverance are free from debt. 



204 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ■ 

The immense parish of which he has charge is soon to be divided into three or 
four different ecclesiastical parishes. The new church is now entirely too small 
and inadequate to the growing population — population growing up from children 
born there. ^ 

ELI MONTAGNE, Abbeville. — Eli Montagne was born in Iberia parish, 
Louisiana, Februar)' 20, 1834. He is a son of Eli and Arthemise (LeBlanc) 
Montagne. His father was a native of France, who came to America when 
young. Our subject's maternal grandparents removed to Louisiana from Canada 
at a very early dav, and were among the first settlers of Louisiana. Here they 
reared a family of children, amongst whom was the mother of our subject. She 
is still living. The father died in 18SS, at the age of eighty-three years. Eli 
Montaone received a common school education. The first business in which 
he embarked was merchandising, in which he was engaged up to the beginning 
of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate States army as second 
lieutenant in Captain Fuller's Independent Company of Fournet's Battalion. 
At the battle of Bisland, and in two subsequent engagements, Mr. Montagne re- 
ceived serious wounds, from which he was rendered unfit for active service, and 
was detailed to contract the manufacture of clothing for the Confederate States 
armv. In the latter part of the war he conducted a tan yard at Natchitocnes for 
a short period, and was afterward engaged in steamboating on Bayou Teche 
for some time. He subsequently opened a commission business in New Orleans, 
but was not successful; and after conducting it for a few years he removed to 
New Iberia and engaged in merchandising, in which he was more successful. 
In 1874 he removed to Vermilion parish and purchased at tax Sctles a large tract 
of land. He has served as surveyor since 1878. Mr. Montague conducts a 
grcjcery store in Abbeville. He was married, in 1856, to Odilie Segura, a de- 
scendant of the original settlers of the Spanish colony at Iberia. To this union 
ten children have been born, five of whom are living, viz : Fernand. Paul. Eli U., 

Henry, Elmira. ^ 

« » 
/ 

ALEXANDER MOSS, Abbeville. — Alexander Moss was born in La- 
fayette parish, near Royville, in 1831. He is the son of Joseph and Clara 
(Thibodeaux) Moss. Joseph Moss was a native of Georgia, and came to Louis- 
iana with his parents when 3'oung, locating in Vermilion parish, they being 
among the pioneer settlers of this section. Joseph Moss afterward located in 
Lafayette parish, where he became a prosperous planter. He died in the prime 
of his life. 

The subject of this sketch is the second of ten children, of whom A. J 
Moss, of Lafayette, whose sketch appears in another part of this work, is a 
brother. Young Alexander worked on his father's plantation and attended 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. •>!).> 

school alternately until he attained his majority. At his father's death he re- 
moved to Vermilion parish and assumed charge of the sugar plantation which 
his father possessed in that parish. He located permanently in his present phice 
of residence in 1868, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of land under 
the best of improvement, the principal product of his plantation being sugar cane. 
Mr. Moss has also a fine orange grove of from one thousand to twelve liundred 
trees, with a variety of other fruits. He was a soldier in the late war, having 
enlisted in 1862, in Fournet's Yellow Jacket Battalion, afterward being trans- 
ferred to the Eighteenth Louisiana. He participated in the battles at Bisland, 
Yellow Bayou and in other minor engagements. At Bisland he was taken pris- 
oner, and detained a short while at New Orleans. Mr. Moss was united in 
marriage, in 1861, with Miss Martha Rice, daughter of Samuel R. Rice. They 
are the parents of eight living children, seven daughters and a son. Our sub- 
ject is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is an ardent democrat. 

V * * 

HENRY J. MOSS, Abbevii.le. — Henr\' J. Moss is a native of Louisiana, 
born in what is now Vermilion parish, 1835. ^^ '^ one of a famih' of seven 
children born to Alfred and Joanna (Hartley) Moss. Alfred Moss was born 
in Georgia, removing to Louisiana with his parents when a boy, and here 
received his education. He was a soldier in the Mexican War. During the 
whole of his life he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He died in 
Vermilion parish in 1845, his widow surviving him until 1853. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of the localitv in which 
he was reared, and on beginning business life engaged in farming, to which he 
has devoted himself during the whole of his life. He served as a soldier in the 
Civil War, having enlisted in the infantry service. He only served a short 
while, when he was wounded and was disabled for active service and received his 
discharge. Mr. Moss owns six hundred acres of land in Vermilion parish, three 
hundred of which he cultivates, principally in corn, rice and cane. In 1858 he 
married Miss Jane Primeaux, of Vermilion parish. Thev are the parents of 
sixteen children, fifteen of whom are living, viz: Maticia, x\nna, Clarence, 
Franklin, Henrietta, Laura, Carrie INL, Hartlev, Oliver, Howard, Cornelius, 

Clifton, Lih', Lilian and Walter. ^ 

* * 

THOMAS J. MORGAN, Henry.— Thomas J. Morgan is a native of 
Alabama, born Januarj' i. 1830. He is the son of James S. and Susan G. 
(Lloyd ) Morgan. His father was a native of South Carolina, born December 
30, 1804. His mother was born January 10, 1808. James S. Morgan was a 
farmer by occupation. He married in South Carolina in 1829, and became the 
father of eight children, six sons and two daughters, two of whom are living, our 
subject being the elder. Thos. J. was reared and educated in Alabama, where he 



iiiif, SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA . 

resided until 1S67, when he removed to Vermilion parish, and has here since 
been engaged in planting. He served in the Confederate army during the Civil 
War, having enlisted in 1861 in Company A, Third Alabama Infantry. He was 
in the battles of Corinth, Murfreesboro, and numerous other engagements. Mr. 
Morgan is prominent in local affairs. He was appointed member of the police 
jury from the second ward in 1884, and served in this capacity for four years. 
He is one of Vermilion's successful planters, and has amassed a comfortable 
fortune. The principal products of his plantation are corn, cotton and rice. 
Mr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic order at Abbeville. 

He was married in Ringold county, Alabama, September 16, 1867, to Miss 
Mary L. Jones, a native of Wilcox county, Alabama, daughter of Gray B. and 
Elizabeth (Kennedy) Jones, nativesof South Carolina and Alabama, respectively. 
Ten children have been born to their union, six sons and four daughters, nine 
of whom are now living, viz: Elizabeth M., wife of S. M. Henr}'; William J., 
Thomas J., Jr., Luke L., John G., Mattie A., wite of Clarence Moss; Susan 
G., Eddie K., and Mary R. Mrs. Morgan died October 26, 1888. She. as is 
her husband, was a member of the M. E. Church South. 



^ ALBERT G. MAXWELL, Ramskv.— Albert G. Maxwell, one of the 
pioneer settlers of what is now Vermilion parish, is a native of Maryland, born 
in Chestertown, Kent county, October 6. 1815. He is the son of John and 
Rebecca (Coats) Maxwell. John Maxwell was a soldier in the war of 1812, as 
a m^ber of the Light Horse Company. He was in the battle near Chester- 
town, Maryland, where Sir Peter Parker was killed : and also in the bat- 
tle of Calksfield. Early in life he pursued a medical course, in which he gradu- 
ated, but the practice of medicine not proving congenial to his taste, he after- 
ward studied law, though he was never admitted to the bar; and tinally planting 
became his lifetime occupation. He was an extensive and prominent planter, 
and was a large slave holder. He was the first slave owner in Marjland who 
emancipated his slaves. This he did bv giving the young ones their freedom at 
the age of twenty-one years, and the old ones were liberated at his death. He 
died at the age of forty-nine years, Albert G. being at the time ten 3'ears old. 
He was a member of the Episcopal church, and an active worker. In politics 
he adhered strictly to the principles of the whig party. Rebecca Coats Maxwell 
was a daughter of John Coats, of Easton, Maryland. He was aprominent Mason, 
and served for a number of years as first worshipful master in the Stale Grand 
Lodge. He was a sergeant in the division that Arnold commanded during the 
Revolutionary War. After the war in recognition of his services the government 
bestowed upon him grants of land in Franklin county, Ohio. He was an inti- 
mate friend and associate of Jolin Knox, of revolutionary fame. Dr. Coats 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 297 

never amassed a fortune, though his income was large. He was generous almost 
to a fault. 

Albert G. Maxwell, the subject of this sketch, is one of a family of four 
children, only two of whom are living — himself and Sophia, widow of Dr. Henry 
M. Robertson, of Huntsville. Susan Henrietta married J. C. Wallis, of Mary- 
land. She died at the age of twenty-one years. John M. was a merchant in 
New Brunswick, who came to Louisiana in 1851, and located in Lafayette par- 
ish, where he was married, and resided until the time of his death, at the age 
of forty-nine years. 

Albert G. Maxwell received a thorough academic education. At the age of 
seventeen j'ears, he removed to Louisiana, and was for some time engaged as 
a book-keeper for Smith & Sons, of Franklin, Louisiana. Two years after en- 
tering their employ, he opened an establishment on his own account, and was 
engaged in the business for a period of several years. Subsequent to this he 
was for twelve years occupied in planting in Lafaj-ette parish, when he removed 
to this parish, and has given his attention since to conducting his plantation. In 
18S7 he purchased the Pecan Grove plantation, which consists of four hundred 
and fifty acres of fertile land near Abbeville. Mr. Maxwell v^'as married at the 
age of twenty-three years to Miss Martha Nixon, of Lafayette parish. Slie died 
in 1875. He afterward married Miss Mary E. Tilden, of Kent county, Mary- 
land, a cousin of Samuel J. Tilden. Mrs. Maxwell died in 1880. Before the 
dissolution of that part}', Mr. Maxwell was a Whig. He is a prominent member 

oi the Masonic fraternity. ^ 

* » 

^ MARCUS L. MORTON, xAbbeville.— Marcus L. Morton was born in 
Vermilion parish, December 11, 1848. His father, John W. Morton, was a native 
of Kentucky, and on his way to join the United States army during the Mexican 
war he stopped in Louisiana, remaining for some time. While here he married Miss 
Adelaide Mouton, our subject's mother. Subsequently he removed to Jefferson 
county, Texas. He became sheriff of Jefferson county, and in 185 1 was killed in 
an attempt to make an arrest. 

Marcus L. Morton received his education in the public school.s of Vermilion 
parish. At the age of fourteen years he joined the State Guards and was afterward 
transferred to the Eighth Louisiana Regiment, dismounted cavalry, and with his 
regiment was a participant in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and the 
skirmislies on Lafourche bayou and the Mississippi river 

Since the war Mr. Morton has been successfully engaged in farming and 
stock raising. His place, located fifteen miles southwest of Abbeville, consists 
of four hundred acres of land on Cow Island and two hundred acres on Pine 
Island. Mr. Morton married, in 1870, Miss Begir Mouton. To this union five 
children have been born, viz: Augustus A., Adams O., Adelaide. Agnes and 



298 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

Joseph A. Mr. Morton and familx' are members of the Catholic church. He is 
a Mason and a member ot the Farmers" Alliance. He is a Democrat. 



^ HON. ADRIEN NUNEZ, Abbeville.— Hon. Adrien Nuiiez was born in 
what is now Vermilion parish, October 22, 1829. He is the oldest son of a 
family of five children born to Joseph and Mary (Loups) Nunez, both of whom 
were natives of Louisiana. His father was a large planter and stock dealer of 
Lafayette parish. He died in this parish in 1887 at the age of eight3r-seven 
years. The mother of our subject was born in Lafayette parish in 1806 and died 
in 1874. ^^ '^^'^ '^^^ children born to them four are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Vermil- 
ion parish. Since engaging in business he has given his chief attention to plant- 
ing and stock raising. Mr. Nuiiez has taken a prominent part in public affairs, 
and was elected member of the Legislature from Vermilion parish in 185 1, serv- 
ing for one term. He was again elected in i860, and reelected in 1862. In 
1874 he was elected to the lower house, and served until 1877. In iSSo he was 
elected member of the State Senate, and served four years. His public services 
have been marked by their conservatism, and the vigilance with which he has 
represented the interest of his constituency. Mr. Nunez enjoys an enviable popu- 
larity, and if he chooses to accept them, he is looked upon as the subject of high 
future honors. In a financial sense Mr. Nunez has been remarkably successful. 
He owns fourteen thousand acres of excellent land, bounded on the south bvthe 
Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by Vermilion Bayou. Three hundred acres 
are in a high state of cultivation, the principal products being rice, corn and 
cane. He also deals extensively in a fine grade of stock, and has on his planta- 
tion a number of Durham cattle, and a superior grade of horses, sheep, and 
hogs. Mr. Nunez was married in 1848 to Miss Olivia Guidry, a native of St. 
Martin parish, born 1832, and daughter of Oliver Guidry. To their union have 
been born two sons and seven daughters, eight of whom are living. His wife 
died in 1874. Mr. Nunez, in 1876, married Miss Lillie Breaux, of Vermilion 
parish. They are the parents of four children: Nellie, C. B., Maud and Olgar. 

>/ . . * * 

ADRIEN HEBRARD NUNEZ, Abbeville.— Adrien H. Nunez, a suc- 
cessful stock raiser, was born at Spring Hill, June 6, 1859. He is the son of 
Adrien Nunez, whose sketch appears above. He was but an infant when his 
father removed to what is now Nufiez Island, where he was reared. He received 
his education at Thibodeauxville and Lafayette, graduating from Thibodeaux- 
ville at the age of nineteen years. Mr. Nuiiez educated himself with the view 
of becoming a physician, but changed his mind and gave his attention to stock 
raising and planting. He is probably the most extensive stock dealer in this sec- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 29!> 

tion of the country. He has on his place a huge number of a tine jfrade of 
horses and cattle. His plantation consists of three thousand acres of land, finely 
located and well improved. 

Mr. Nunez married, February 19, 1884, Miss Mary LeonaKibbe, daughter 
of Levi Kibbe, of Vermilion parish. The}' are the parents of two children, a 
son and a daughter. Both Mr. Nunez and wife are members of the Catholic 
church. He has taken quite an active part in the local affairs of his parish, and 
has served as deputy sheriff and tax collector. In politics he is an uncompro- 
mising democrat. ^ 

'^ HON. OLIVER H. O'BRYAN, Abbeville.— Mr. O'Bryan, assessor of 
Vermilion parish, was born in this parish, Februarj^ 20, 1862. He is the son 
of Daniel O'Bryan, whose sketch appears elsewhere. 

Mr. 0'Br3'an spent his school days in Lafayette and Abbeville, and was 
eight years of age at the time of his father's death. At an earl}' age he 
entered agricultural pursuits, and successfully pursued it until twenty years old; 
when, seeking a more active vocation, he learned the trade of carpenter, which, 
however, he abandoned for that of cooper, working at the last mentioned trade 
for the manufacturers of sugar in the vicinity for a period of two years. He 
then became a salesman, and for four years was justice of the peace. Having 
grown well acquainted with the parish, and established a reputation for his re- 
liability, he secured the deputy clerkship of the district court under Lastie 
Broussard, and served for a considerable period, during which time he became 
well acquainted with the business of the parish. In January, 1S89, he was 
appointed assessor of Vermilion parish, and is the present incumbent of that 
office. Mr. O'Bryan is a young man of prepossessing appearance, and the con- 
fidence which he has established between himself and the citizens of Vermilion 
parish makes him their probable subject of the future honors of her people. 
He is united in marriage with Miss Ruth Abigail Nourse, a native of New 
Orleans. They are the parents of two children: John Winford and Edwin 
Paul. Mr. O'Bryan and wife are stanch members of the Catholic church, 
and he is a prominent member of the K. of H., being reporter of his lodge at 
this place. 

"^ LEVI S. RICE, Abbeville. — Levi S. Rice was born in St. Mary parish 
on what was then known as Rice's Island, January 6, 1820. He is the son of 
Samuel Rice, who was born in Kentucky, and removed to Louisiana when he 
was a young man, while Louisiana belonged to France. He resided on Rice's 
Island until 1828, when he removed to what is now Vermilion parish, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1848, at the age of sixty-two years. 
His wife died in 1839, '^' about the age of thirty-nine years. 



;{(iO SOUTH WEST LOUISIANA : 

The subiect of lliis sketch is the oldest of a family of ten children. He 
spent his school days in St. Mary and Vermilion parishes. He remained with 
his father until his death, when he assumed charge of the plantation, and later 
beg;in planting for himself. Early in the Civil War Mr. Rice was appointed 
quartermaster of the Vermilion Regiment, in which capacity he served for a 
short while, subsequently engaging as department agent at Lafayette. After 
the war he taught school several years, when he again resumed planting, in 
which he is at present engaged. Mr. Rice was married, in 184S, to Miss Elmira 
Campbell, a native of Vermilion parisli, Louisiana. To them ten children have 
been born, four of whom are living, viz: Ella C, Olive, Reese and Weeta. 
Mr. Rice is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and has served as president of 

this union. • 

» • 

CORNELIUS L. RICE, Ramsey. — CorneHus L. Rice was born in what is 
cow Vermilion parish, August 15, 1835. He is the son of Samuel Rice, of 
whom mention is made in his sketch of Levi Rice. 

Young Cornelius L. received his education in his native parish, and through 
the whole of his life has been a planter and stock raiser. In 1861 he joined the 
Eighth Louisiana Infantry, C. S. A., in which he served for two years, when he 
was transferred to the Second Louisiana Cavalry, which was assigned to service 
in the Trans-Mississippi department. While in the Eighth Louisiana, his field 
of operation was principally in Virginia, and he participated in many engage- 
ments of the Virginia campaign. After he was transferred to the Trans-Missis- 
sippi department, Mr. Rice was on duty principally as a scout and a guide. 
The regiment disbanded on Red River; Mr. Rice, at that time, being home on 
a furlough. He married, in 1862, Miss Laura Perr}-, who lived three years after 
her marriage. Mr. Rice married again in 1867, Miss Nancy O'Brien. To 
them thirteen children have been born, five sons and eight daughters, all of 
whom are living. Politically Mr. Rice is a democrat. He is a member of the 
Farmers' Alliance, of which he has been vice president. He owns six hundred 
acres of very fertile woodland, a small portion of which is under cultivation. 

V' LORENZO C. RICE, Ramsey. — Lorenzo C. Rice, a prosperous farmer 
and stock raiser of the seventh ward, was born in V^ermilion parish. June 9, 
1828. He is the son of Samuel R. Rice, mentioned elsewhere. 

Our subject spent his school days in this parish, receiving a fair education. 
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Rice began farming and stock raising, in 
which he has been constantly engaged since that time. He was a soldier in the 
Confederate States service during the late Civil War, enlisting, in 1861, in 
Fournet's Battalion. He was atterward transferred to the Eighth Louisiana 
Cavalry, in which he served the remainder of the war. He was in the battles at 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ;W1 

Camp Bisland and Donaldsonville. At the former place lie only escaped being 
captured by accepting the prerogative of untold hardships, having gone for eight 
days without food and with little water. At the close of the war Mr. Rice re- 
turned home and resumed planting. He owns three hundred and ninety acres 
of land of the greatest fertility, a portion of which is under cultivation. 



^ JAMES B. RAMSEY, M. D., Ramsey.— James B. Ramsey was born in 
Chatham county, N. C, August 27, 1820. He is the son of Ambrose Knox 
Ramsey and Nancy Yancey, of Yanceyville, N. C. natives of North Carolina. 
Ambrose K. Ramsey was a wealthy farmer and mill owner and North Carolina 
legislator. Wlien James B. was but a boy, his parents removed to Alabama 
where his mother died. The father died at the age of ninety-one years in Meri- 
dian, Miss. James B. Ramsey's grandfather and two of his great-uncles were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary War — true whigs. 

James B. is the second of a family of ten children, seven now living. He re- 
ceived his literary education at the University of Alabama, at Tuscaloosa. 
Later he matriculated in the medical school of Transylvania University, Lexington, 
Ky., from which he graduated in 1843. He first practised medicine in Wash- 
ington county, Alabama, and subsequently in Mississippi. In 1871 he removed 
to Iberia parish, Louisiana, and in 1872 located at his present place of residence. 
During the late war he was surgeon of Harrison's Regiment. He had been a 
member of the Secession Convention in Mississippi, and signed the Secession 
Ordinance. Doctor Ramsey has given his attention to planting since 1847. He 
now owns four hundred acres of veiy fertile land where he resides, which he 
conducts to the best advantage. He was married in 1846 to Miss Elizabeth A. 
Cole, daughter of a prominent planter of Mississippi, and representative in North 
Carolina and Mississippi Convention in 1851. They are the parents of seven 
living children, three sons and four daughters. Doctor Ramsey is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, Master of Royal Arch Mason. He is a whole-souled 
democrat and takes an active part in the manipulation of part)' affairs. Ramsey 
postoffice, at his place of residence, is named in his honor or from his former 
residence at the place. He is opposed to the Louisiana letter)' and all lotteries, 
and is using his influence to prevent a recharter. 

* 

* * 

"/ H. J. STANSBURY. Pkrrv's Bridgp:.— H. J. Stansbury, of the firm of 
S. Stansbur}' & Son, was born on the plantation where he now lives, December 
2, 1858. He is the son of Summerfield and Rachael (Stakes) Stansbury. 
Summerfield Stansburj'^ is yet living and a resident of this parish, born on the 
plantation where he now resides. He is about fifty-si.K years of age. He has 
been a ver\- successful planter all his life. In 1868 he engaged in the manufac- 



302 SO UTH WEST L O UlSIA NA : 

ture of sugar and syrup on a limited scale. In iSSi he erected a more exten- 
sive plant. For a while before the war he was in the mercantile business at 
New Iberia. On the breaking out of hostilities, he enlisted in the Confederate 
armj', his field of operation being on the east of the Mississippi River, where 
he participated in many hard-fought battles. He was taken prisoner, but only 
held in captivity one month. His wife is still living. Siie is a member of the 
M. E. Church South. He is a Mason, with his membership at Abbeville, and 
has alvvaj's been a stanch democrat. 

Our subject is tlie oldest of three sons, and the second of eight children. 
He spent his school days at Abbeville, later attending the Normal School of 
Chicago, Illinois, in 1875 and 1876. On leaving school he immediately com- 
menced farming on his father's plantation. In 1882 he was engaged on Mr. 
Putnam's plantation for the period of two years as overseer, later becoming a 
partner in the culture of sugar cane. In 1886 he took charge of his father's 
sugar house and in 1888 became his partner. In this he has been since engaged. 
His management is most effective and able, and his repeated successes have be- 
come proverbial. In 1876 Mr. Stansbury married Miss Rosa Feray, daughter of 
Capt. Feray, of this parish. To them have been born four children: Dora M., 
Francis V., Benny H. and Leon. The subject is a Mason, holding the posi- 
tion of secretary of Abbeville Lodge, No. 192, F. and A. M., and is a member 
of the K. of H., Lodge No. 3240. Politically he is a democrat. 

» 
» » 

^ HON. GRANVILLE B. SHAW, Abbeville.— Hon. Granville B. Shaw, 
Representative in the lower house of the Legislature from Vermilion parish, 
was born in what is known as Nunez Island, August 14, 1848. He is the son of 
John Shaw and Rebecca Merriman. John Shaw was born in Raleigh, North 
Carolina, and came to Louisiana when a young man. He served as a soldier in 
the war of 1S12. After locating in Louisiana Mr. Shav\' became a large sugar 
planter, and operated the place now owned b}' Adrien Nuiiez. He died in what 
is now Vermilion parish, in 1867. The subject's grandfatlier was Commodore 
John Shaw, of the United States Nav}', a native of England, who removed to 
Ireland, and, later, to the United States. 

Granville B. Shaw is one of seven children. He received his education in 
Orange, Texas, in Dr. Houston's school, and was in attendance at this place 
when the Civil War broke out. Leaving school in 1862 he joined Company B, 
Selby's Brigade, and was in active service during the remainder of the war. He 
participated in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, and other 
engagements in Louisiana. In one of these engagements he was slightly wound- 
ed, though not rendered unable for active service. After the war Mr. Shaw 
learned the carpenter's trade, and in 186S came to Abbeville and engaged in 
mercantile puisuits. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Vermilion parish and. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 303 

with the exception of the years 1873-74, occupied the office until 1883. In 1888 

he became an independent candidate for the lower house of the Legislature 

and was elected by a handsome majority over the regular democratic nominee. 

Mr. Shaw was married, August 8, 1870, to Miss Zulma Marie Bernard. They 

r.re the parents of three living children: Daisy J., born August 2, 1871 ; Jolin 

Berwick, born August 7, 1873, and Mercedes, born March 30, 1878. 

* 
* * 

MARTIN SARVER, Indian Bayou. — Martin Sarver was born in Ver- 
milion parish September 17, 1832. He is the son of William and Denice 
(Rolen) Sarver. His father was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and removed 
to Louisiana when a j^oung man. He located in Vermilion parish, where he 
married our subject's mother. He afterward removed to St. Landry parish, and 
was connected with a tan-3^ard. In this he was engaged until the lime of his 
death in 1870. His wife died in 1878. Mrs. Sarver was a lad}' of Frencli de- 
scent, lier parents having been natives of France. 

Martin Sarver is the eldest of a family of twelve children. He received 
his education in the schools of St. Landry parish, where he resided until 185 1 
or 1S52. when he removed to his present place of residence in Vermilion parisli, 
which was then a wild prairie. He has always given his attention chiefly to 
farming and has been successful. He was elected a member of the police jury 
before the war and served in this capacity for seventeen consecutive years, a 
portion of which time he was the president. He also served for many years as 
justice of the 'peace from his ward. He is the present post-master at Indian 
Bayou, which position he has held since 18S2. Mr. Sarver served the latter 
two 3'ears of the Civil War, having enlisted in the Shreveport Battalion, or Sev- 
enth Louisiana Regiment, as sergeant, in which he served until the close of the 
war. Two of his brothers were [)rivates in the same regiment. Mr. Sarver 
was married July 4, 1S51, to Miss Altha Z. Morgan, of Vermilion parish. Thev 
are the parents of six living children, three sons and three daughters. The 
family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he is 
steward. , 

^ JOSEPH THEALL, Abbeville. — Joseph Theall, planter and stock 
raiser, was born at Perry's Bridge, Vermilion parish, July 19, 1847. He is the 
son of Andrew J. and Marie (Nunez) Theall, both natives of what is now Ver- 
milion parish. Andrew J. Theall was a successful planter of this parish. He 
was for several years parish assessor, and was a well known and respected 
citizen. 

The subject of this sketch is the second of tive children. He received his 
education in the Lafayette high school. In the latter part of the late war he 
joined the Eleventh Louisiana Infantry, in which he served until the surrender. 



;i04 SOUTHWEST LOU/S/ANA: 

After the war he again entered school, only remaiiiiiiy;, liovvever, a short while. 
On leaving school he took charge of a stock farm. Farming and stock raising 
has been his principal occupation through life; and by industry and judicious 
management he has been quite successful, being now one of Vermilion's well- 
to-do farmers. He owns over six hundred acres of land, situated twelve miles 
south of Abbeville. In 1870 Mr. Theall was united in marriage with Mathilde 
Guidry, of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of five sons and four 
dauofhters. 



AURELIEN THEALL, Abbeville.— Aurelien Theall was born in Ver- 
milion parish, February, 185 1. His father, Andrew Jackson Theall died wlien 
Aurelien was but three years of age. His mother is still living. 

Aurelien Tlieall spent his school days in Vermilion parish and recei\'ed a 
fair education. At an early age he accepted a position as salesman in a 
mercantile business in this parish, which he followed for some time, sub- 
sequently turning his attention to farming. This he pursued for several years, 
when he entered the store of V. Broussard as clerk, with whom he remained 
three years, at the expiration of which time he removed to his present place of 
residence, in 1880, and opened a store in partnership with his brother Joseph. 
In connection with this Mr. Theall owns six hundred arpents of land, which he 
concucts as a stock farm principally. He was mgrried, April 25, 187 1, to Miss 
Eusiede Guidry, of Lafayette parish. They are the parents of one son and five 
dauirhters. The familv are all Catholics. 



MAURICE VILLIEN, Milton. — Maurice Villien, a successful and ener- 
getic merchant and planter of Ward 4, is a native of Savoie, France, and came 
to the United States when a 3'oung man, locating in Louisiana. He first was 
engaged in business in New Orleans, later, Iberia, and subsequently removed to 
Vermilion parish. In all these places he has been engaged in merchandising. 
Maurice Villien has two living children, Joseph A., M. D., and John. Dr. Joseph 
Villien was born in Vermilion parish, and received his literary education at St. 
Charles College, Grand Coteau, graduating with the degree of B. A. in 1887. 
Immediateh^ after his graduation Joseph A. Villien began the study of medicine 
under the direction ot Dr. M. R. Cushman. In 18S7 lie matricul.ited in the 
medical college of the Tulane University, of Louisiana, from which institution 
he graduated in 1890- He is a member ot Attakapas Medical Association, also 
a member of tlie C. K. of A., at Abbeville, of which he was financial secretary 
in 1891. John \'illien is now attending school in Grand Coteau. All the family 
are practical Roman Catliolics. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 305 

W. L. VANSLYKE, Abbeville. — W. L. Vanslyke, a successful planter, 
who resides about two miles and a half south of Abbeville, was born in Green 
county, Indiana, in 1849. He is the son of Henry and Harriet (Leonard) Van- 
slyke, the former a native of New York and the latter of Indiana. They reared 
a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters, of whom the subject 
of this sketch is the third. The parents both spent their whole lives in Green 
county, where Mr. Vanslyke was a successful farmer. He died in 1887 and his 
wife in 1873. The children are all living and are scattered over the different 
states, Mr. W. L. Vanslyke being the onl}' member of the family in Louisiana. 
Removing to his present place of residence in 1870 he engaged in farming, in which 
he has continued with success. He owns two hundred and seventy acres of land, 
mostly under cultivation and well improved. He has on his place a sugar-mill, 
in which he manufactures his own product. He raises about a hundred acres of 
cane annually, manufacturing a hundred hogsheads of sugar besides raising a 
large amount of corn. He is a methodical and successful business man. He 
was married in 1872 to Miss Margaret Vanslyke. To them have been born seven 
children, a son and six daughters, viz : Beulah, Ira, Neosha, Daisy, Birdie, 
Nita (deceased). Hazel. Mr. Vanslyke has served. for three years as member 
of the police jury and is an active participant in public matters. He is a member 
of the Knights of Honor. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. ^ 

• * 

THOS. S. WINSTON, Ramsey.— T. S. Winston was born in Louisa 
county, Virginia, July 20, 1826. He is the son of John H. and Demarias 
(Campbell) Winston. The Winston family came from England and Scotland. 
They have always been noted for their longevity and handsome appearance. 
John H. Winston was by occupation a tanner and farmer, and in this was very 
successful. In politics he was a whig. He died in 1853, at the age of seventy 
years. His wife died in 1845, at the age sixty years. 

The subject of this sketch is the second eldest of five brothers, all of 
whom are living. He was educated partly in Virginia and partly in the 
schools of his locality. AH of his brothers are graduates of the University of 
Virginia. Early in life he turned his attention to farming, and in 1845 he left 
his home in Virginia and came to Louisiana, locating in St. Mary parish, and 
resided there seven years, when he returned to Virginia. Here he remained, 
however, only a short while, when he again came to Louisiana, and located in 
Vermilion parish. Soon afterward he bought a part of the plantation which he 
now owns, consisting of fourteen hundred acres of as fine land as there is to be 
found in the State. He has made a specialty of the culture of sugar cane, and 
in 1855 he erected a sugar house, and since then has manufactured sugar every 
year. During the late war he offered his services to the Confederacy, and was 
19a 



306 . SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

detailed to furnisli tlie government with supplies. In 1S55 he married Miss 
Mary C. Moss, of St. Mary parish. The}- are the parents of three living 
children, viz: Frank E., of this parish, planter and stock raiser; Mrs. Mar}' C. 
Boiling, of Virginia; Rosa, at home. Those deceased are John H., wlio at 
the time of his death was a student at King's College, Bristol, Tennessee : 
Beulah and James. Mr. Winston is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a democrat. 

^ W. D. WHITE, M. D., Abbeville.— Dr. W. D. White was born in Frank- 
lin. Williamson county, Tennessee, August 31, 1836. He is one of a family of 
nine children born to Benj. R. and Eliza M. (Kenny) White. His father was 
a native of North Carolina. He removed to Tennessee, where he received his 
education and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1859 he removed with his 
family to Opelou.«as, where he died in 1870. 

The mother of Dr. White was a native of South Carolina. She died in 
Opelousas in 1S73. 

Dr. White received his literary training at Shelbyville University. He 
learned the carpenter's trade after leaving school and worked at this for a short 
while. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the medical school of the 
University of Nashville, from which he graduated in i860. He first practised his 
profession in Franklin county, Tennessee, from whence he removed to Ver- 
milion parisli, and the last twenty years has resided in Abbeville. He has 
served as parish coroner for fifteen consecutive years. Dr. White's experience 
coupled with his extended learning make him a physician of high merit. The 
Doctor has been successful in a financial sense and owns considerable propert}' 
in Vermilion parish. He was married in 1862 to Miss L. R. Lyons, daughter of 
A- and Elizabeth (Reeves) Lyons. To this union fourteen children have been 
born, seven sons and seven daughters, eight of whom are living, viz: James 
E., Mary E., Carrie, H. Bascom, Elizabeth, Rosa, Thomas, Milton. Dr. 
White is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Knights Templar and K. of H. 

* 
* » 

J. N. WILLIAMS, Ramsey. — J. N. Williams, a planter of ward 2, is a 
native of Mississippi, born in Yazoo county, June 24, 1846. He is the son of 
B. and Anne (Newton) Williams. His father was a successful farmer. Early 
in life he removed to Mississippi, and in 1858 to Louisiana, locating in what is 
now Vermilion parish. He died in 1877. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of six children, three sons 'and 
three daughters, two of whom are now living, James N. and Anna, wife of Sidney 
Border, of Austin, Texas. James N. Williams received his education in Missis- 
sippi and Louisiana. He began life as a planter, to which he has devoted his full 
attention the whole of his life. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1862, 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 307 

in the heavy artillery, and was one of the first who fired a cannon in the siege 
of Vicksburg. Soon after entering the service he was discharged on account of 
being under age. June 1864, he enlisted in the cavalry service, Company A, 
Eighth Louisiana Regiment, in which he served until the close of the war. After 
the war he returned home and engaged in farming. In 1S77 Mr. Williams was 
appointed member of the parish school board, which position he has held since 
that time. He is also clerk of the police jury and member of K. of H., 3240. 
He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Williams was married, March 5, 
1874, ^o Miss Sarah A. Burt, daughter of Henry A. and Minerva (Brooks) 
Burt, natives of Massachusetts and Mississippi, respectively. To them have 
been born six children, five sons and a daughter, viz: Francis B., Newton P., 
Thomas H., James H., Herbert O. and Henrietta. 

« 
* • 

SOLOMON WISE, Abbeville. — Solomon Wise was born in Russia, May 
26, 1824. He emigrated to America in 1854, locating at Perry's Bridge, Ver- 
milion parish, Louisiana, where he became an itinerant merchant in the dry goods 
line. In 1859 1^*^ located in Abbeville and opened a store with a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. In this business he has continued until the presenttime. Mr. 
Wise came to Vermilion parish when it was sparsely settled and has been largely in- 
strumental in building up the country. He is ver}' successful in his business af- 
fairs. Beginning with a very small capital he has added to it until now he is the 
most extensive dealer and the largest business man in the town of Abbeville. 
His stock of general merchandise is worth fifteen thousand dollars. He has also 
two thousand acres of land, besides a sugar plantation of about seventeen hun- 
dred acres. He owns a residence and business propert}' in Abbeville assessed 
at forty thousand dollars. He was married in Europe before he came to Amer- 
ica, in 1849, to Miss Fanny Truskalaski. To them have been born four children, 
two sons and two daughters, viz: Anna, wife of J. A. Bergman; Isaac, Harriet, 
wife of L. Sakaloski; Eli. , 

^ S. P. WATTS, Abbeville.— S. P. Watts, editor and proprietor of the 
Vermilion Star, of Abbeville, was born in Georgia, December 29, 1854. He is 
the son of S. B. and Anna (Pendleton) Watts, who were also natives of Georgia. 
They became the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters. S. 
B. Watts was a merchant and planter at Palmetto, Georgia. He died in 1846 
and his wife in 1857, being at the time of their death residents of Georgia. 

The subject of this sketch began life for himself at the age of eighteen as a 
farm hand. After working for a year he engaged, in 1880, as a clerk in a drug 
store at Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1881 he was a student in the law department 
of the Tulane University, of New Orleans, and was admitted to the bar in 
1884. Hs began the practice of his profession the same year in Shreveport, 



308 5 O UTH WES T LO U IS I ANA : 

being thus engaged until April, 1890, when he removed to Abbeville to take 
charge of his present business. Mr. Watts obtained some knowledge of the 
newspaper business by doing editorial work on the Louisiana Advance, pub- 
lished in Acadia parish in 1880. Becoming interested in newspaper work he 
moved to Abbeville and took charge of the Vermilion Scar, to which he now gives 
almost his entire attention. He is also agent for a loan and insurance company. 
Mr. Watts was married in De Soto parish, Louisiana, in 1884, to Miss Adele Wil- 
Hams. She died, January, 1886, in Shreveport. Mr. Watts next married, 
October, 1887, Mrs. Jodie Moraland, widow of L. E. Moraland. They are the 
parents of two children, a son, Lovice A., and a daughter, Anna May. 
Mr. Walts is a member of the Knights of Honor, being dictator of Acadia 
Lodge 3240. He is an ardent supporter of democracy, to the interest of which 
his newspaper is devoted. 

» » 
/ 

N. C. YOUNG, Abbeville. — N. C. Young, druggist, was born in Ver- 
milion parish, Louisiana, January, i860. He is the son of Dr. F. D. Young, whose 
sketch appears in the Acadia biographies. 

Mr. Young received his education in the schools of Vermilion parish, and 
at the age of seventeen years entered a drug store in Abbeville as clerk. In 1880, 
in partnership witli F. R. Tolson, he opened a drug store in Abbeville and the 
business was conducted jointly until 1883, when Mr. Young purchased the 
interest of his partner and has since that time conducted an independent 
business. 

Mr. Young is a thorough business man and is public spirited. He was for 
two years treasurer of Vermilion parish, and is now president of the parish 
school board. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Pipillia Abadie, of Abbeville. 
They are the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter. Mr. Young 
and wife are members of tlie Catholic church. 

* * 
'^ R. J. YOUNG, M. D., Abbeville.— Dr. R. J. Young was born in 
VermiHon parish, Louisiana, October 10, 1865. He is the son of Dr. F. D. 
Young, whose sketch appears in this work. He studied medicine with his 
father and subsequently attended the medical school of Tulane University. In 
1885-86 he attended the Hospital College, of Louisville, Kentucky, from which 
he graduated with high honors. Immediately after graduating he began the 
practice of medicine at Abbeville and is now recognized to be one of the leading 
physicians of the parish. He was united in marriage, in 1887, with Miss Olive 
Broussard, daughter of Laslie and Perpetue (Mayer) Broussard. They are the 
parents of two children, May and Mabel. Dr. Young and wife are members 
of the Catholic church. 



CHAPTER VII. 



PARISH OF ST. MARTIN. 



J. B. ANGELE, La Place. — Mr. Angele is a native of St. Martin parish, 
born April, 1843. He is the son of A. Ancrele, also a native of Louisiana. 

Mr. Angele received a limited education in the public schools, and began 
life on a plantation at the age of thirteen years. He served during the Civil 
War as a private in the Confederate service. After the close of the war Mr. 
Angele returned to St. Martin parish, where he began farming. Of recent years 
he has conducted a mercantile business in connection with his plantation. He 
is a successful business man and a respected citizen. Mr. Angele is united in 
marriage with Miss Arith Dupuis, daughter of Leon and Adelaide (Angele) 
Dupuis, of St. Martin parish. They are the parents of seven children. 

^ JUDGE CARTER BASSETT, St. Martinville. — Judge Bassett was 
born in Washington, D. C, 1822. He is the son of Wm. H. and Eleanor 
(O'Neill) Bassett. Judge Bassett's father was for many years the captain of a 
vessel on the Atlantic. After the year 1834, ^^ was engaged in planting. The 
subject's mother died in 1852 and his father in 1873. 

Judge Bassett is the eldest of a family of nine children. Planting has 
been his principal occupation in life. At the breaking out of the war he en- 
listed in the Confederate service, serving in the Second Louisiana Regiment. 
He was wounded in the battle of Malvern Hill three times within the space of 
as many seconds, though not seriously. He enlisted as a private, but was sub- 
sequently promoted a captain, with staff appointment. He removed to St. Martin 
parish in 1870 ; was elected justice of the peace in 1871, which office he shortly 
after resigned, to accept an appointmeni as parish surveyor. He was elected 
judge of St. Martin parish in 1876, and reelected in 1878. In this capacity 
he served until the office was abolished by the constitution of 1879. 

Judge Bassett married in 1868, Miss Eugenie Richard, daughter of G. and 
Cora (Delahoussaye) Richard. They became the parents of seven children : 
Ameiie, Eleanor, Coralie, Eugene, Virginia, Wm. J. and Alice. Judge Bassett 
has always been a conservative in politics, and takes an active part in all public 
affairs. He and his family are Catholics. 



y 10 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA ■ 

^ MONROE BAKER, St. Martinville. — Mr. Baker is an enterprising 
citizen and successful planter of St. Martin parish. He is a native of St. 
Mary parish, born in 1S24. He is the son of Isaac and Margaret Baker, both 
of whom are natives of Nashville, Tenn. They moved to St. Mary parish at an 
early date, and later to St. Martinville. Isaac Baker was one of the leading mem- 
bers of the St. Martinville bar. He died in the prime of his manhood in 1832. 

The subject of this sketch is an only child. His father had accumulated 
quite a fortune before his death, and left his widow and son a competenc}-. He 
had good educational advantages, and improved them. 

Mr. Baker was married in 1S45 to Miss Mary L. Barrier, of St. Martin- 
ville, daughter of Felix and Harriet Barrier. To this union have been born 
twelve children: Gustave, Samuel, Rosa, Emily, Felix, Narinska, Anthony, 
Joseph, Gualbert, Valmort, Lanc}' and Anne. 

Mr. Baker has considerable property in St. Martinville, and has given all 
his children a good start in life. He and his family are Catholics. 

» * 
LOUIS G. BERNARD, Jr., St. Martinville. — The subject of this 
sketch is a native of St. Martin parish. He is the son of Louis and Pilina 
(Broussard) Bernard. Mr. Bernard commenced business as a planter in St. 
Martin parish. He has prospered, and is one of St. Martin's most successful 
planters and stock raisers. Politically he is a democrat, though he is not active 
in political affairs. He and his family are Catholics. 

» * 

LOUIS BERNARD, St. Martinville. — Mr. Bernard was born in St. 
Martin parish in 1821. He is the son of Francois and Constance CLeblanc) 
Bernard. Both were natives of St. Martin parish. Francois Bernard was a 
wealthy and influential planter and owned a large amount of land in the parish. 

The subject of this sketch received a good business education and began 
life as a planter, in which business he is still engaged. He now owns and 
operates a valuable plantation in St. Martin parish of four hundred acres of 
land. He is one of St. Martin's most successful planters. 

Mr. Bernard has been married five times, and is the father of nine children. 
He and family are members of the Catholic church. 

* 

« * 

CARLOS BERNARD, St. Martinville —Carlos Bernard is a native of 
St. Martin parish and is the son of Francois Bernard. 

Mr. Bernard received but a limited education in St. Martin parish, and 
began business life at the age of twenty-one years as a planter. He has a fine 
plantation four miles east of St. Martinville and is a prosperous planter. He is 
a member of the Catholic church. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 311 

ARTENARDBENARD, Arnaudville.— Mr. Benard is the son of Valsin 
and Madeline (Nezat) Benard. lie was born in St. Martin parish in 1837. He 
was reared in this parish and received a fair education in the schools of the 
place. At the age of seventeen he began farming, and at the age of nineteen 
married Miss Marie Dignaud, of St. Martin parish, daughter of Goesen Dignaud 
and Josephine Guilbeau, both natives of Louisiana. Mr. Benard has devoted 
his attention to planting, and has a good plantation, on which lie raises cotton and 
corn. He and his wife are the parents of three sons and two daughters, only 
one of whom is living. 

* * 

BERTRAND BELLNICE, St. Martinville. — The subject of this 
sketch is a native of France, born in 1837. ^^ emigrated from France in 1839, 
locating in St. Martin parish, Louisiana, shortly after arriving in the state. 
When young he learned the trade of carpenter, to which he has given his chief 
attention for a number of years. 

Mr. Bellnice was married, in 1S71, to Miss Inez Shakesn^-der. To this 
union have been born nine children. Mr. Bellnice is a public-spirited citizen, 
and is never called on in vain to support laudable enterprises. He and family 

are members of the Catholic church. 

• * 

AMAZAN BECNEL, St. Martinville. — Mr. Becnel was born in the 
parish of St. John the Baptist in 1824. He is the son of Florestan and Josephine 
(Haydel) Becnel, both of whom are natives of Louisiana. Mr. Becnel received 
a good business education in the schools of his native parish. When young he 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed up to the present time. 

Mr. Becnel was married, in 1844, to Miss Clara Borne, daughter of Benjamin 
and A. (Laurent) Borne, of this State. Ten children have been born to this 
union, five sons and five daughter.s, all of whom but one are married and doing 
for themselves. Mr. Becnel and family are members of the Catholic church. 



^ R. J. BIENVENU, St. Martinville. — Mr. Bienvenu was born in St. 
Martinville, March 4, 1863. He is the son of Alphonse and Angelina Bienvenu, 
both natives of St. Martin parish. Alphonse Bienvenu was for many years 
deputy sheriff of the parish. He is now retired from active life and is spending 
his declining days amongst his children. The mother died September 22, 1890. 
The subject of our sketch was reared and educated in St. Martinville". His 
education was rather limited, as he entered, at the age of fourteen, a mercantile 
store, where he remained for nine years, at the expiration of which time he 
opened a mercantile business for himself, in which he was engaged for two 
years. He was for several years employed as agent for the Southern Pacific 



312 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Railroad Company at Eola and Chene3ville. He is now traveling agent for the 
Singer Sewing Machine Company in this section. 

In 1883 he married Miss Gabrille Ratier, of St. Martin parish. Mrs. Bien- 
venii is a highly accomplished and educated lad}'. She attended school at the 
convent at Grand Coteau, Sacred Heart, of St. James and New Orleans, and 
completed her education at Maryville and at Natchitoches, Louisiana, in a 
school of the same faith. Mr. and Mrs. Bienvenu are the parents of four chil- 
dren, one son and three daughters, viz: Bernadette, Sj'dney, Helen, Angelina 
(died in infancy). Mr. Bienvenu and family are Catholics. 

• 

* * 

«^ ALBERT BIENVENU, St. Martinville.— Albert Bienvenu was born 
in St. Martinville in 1856. He is the son of Martial and Elodie (Broussard) 
Bienvenu. Martial Broussard was born in St. Martinville in 1836. Elodie 
Bienvenu is also a native of St. Martin parish. They were married in 1853 and 
became the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom are still living. 

Albert Bienvenu received his education in the common schools. He 
opened up mercantile business for himself in 1881. He also owned a tele- 
graph line from St. Martinsville to New Iberia. He owned the telegraph line 
for nine years and the store for five years. He was appointed assistant post- 
master in 1886, which position he now fills. He founded a weekly newspaper 
in St. Martinsville in 1886 — the Messenger — which he now owns and which has 
an excellent local circulation. 

Mr. Bienvenu was married, in 1878, to Miss Emma Eastin, of St. Martin- 
ville. There were born to their marriage four children, three sons and one 
daughter. The father of Mrs. Bienvenu, Judge R. T. Eastin, was judge of the 
court here for a number of years and also a heavy sugar planter. He died in 
1873- 

* * 

^ HIPOLITE BARRAS, St. Martinville. — H. Barras was born in St. 
Martin parish in 1825. He is a son of H. and Sarah Barras, both of whom 
are natives of St. Martin parish. H. Barras, Sr., was a planter and stock 
raiser. 

The subject of this sketch followed the same business. He owns and con- 
trols about 1000 acres of land. He gives his chief attention to the raising of 
stock. Mr. Barras is united in marriage with Miss Clementine Barras. To them 
have been born six children. Five of tlie children are married, and all reside on 
our subject's plantation. Mr. Barras and family are Catholics. 

* 

^ ALBERT BARRAS, St. Martinville.— Mr. Barras was born in St. 
Martin parish, in 1862. He is the son of H. and Clementine Barras, who are 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 313 

natives of St. Martin parish. Mr. Barras is a large planter and stock raiser 
of St. Martin parish. Our subject's mother died December i, 1S90. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in St. Martin parish. 
Brought up on the plantation he has chosen planting as the business of his life, 
and he is now a successful planter. Mr. Barras was married, in 1880, to Miss 
Belle Launchen, daughter of Wm. and Margaret Launchen, natives of Louisiana. 
They are the parents of six children. All the family are members of the Catholic 

church. * 

« * 

WM. BOUCNALT, St. Martinville. — Mr. Boucnalt, a native of St. 
Martin parish, was born in St. Martinsville, November 24, 1849. He is the 
son of Alphonse and Eliza (Frye) Boucnalt. His father was a native of Louis- 
iana of French descent. He died at Richmond, Virginia, in 1862, while in 
the Confederate service, at the age of forty-four years. Eliza (Frye) Boucnalt, 
the mother of our subject, is a native of Mississippi, born in 1825. Having lost 
her father when quite young, she removed with her mother to Louisiana, where 
she was reared and married. She is still living in the town of St. Martin- 
ville, and is the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of 
whom William is the eldest. 

William Boucnalt was reared in St. Martinville, where he received a com- 
mon school education. Being left fatherless when quite young he began active 
business life ere his childhood days were past. At the age of eight he com- 
menced to work at such labor as he was able to secure and perform, and all 
he has accomplished in his life is due to his own individual effort. He is now 
engaged in the retail liquor business. 

In February, 1880, lie married Miss Albertine Horrent, daughter of Charles 
Horrent, whose parents were natives of France and resided in New Orleans at 
the time of their death. 

Mr. Boucnalt is conservative in political affairs, taking very little interest 
in such matters. He is a member of the Crescent City Association, a benevolent 
order. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. 



^ FELIX BERARD, St. Martinville.— Mr. Berard is the descendant of 
one of the oldest Louisiana families. His father, Rosamond Berard, was a native 
of St. Martinville, born 1807, died 1867. The subject's mother, Odile Hubel, 
was also a native of the parish. She died in 1857- 

Feli.x Berard was born September, 1847. He was reared in St. Martin 
parish, and received his education at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, where 
he was in attendance on the breaking out of the war, being at the time seventeen 
years of age. He entered as a volunteer Company C, Second Louisiana Cavalry. 
He was a gallant soldier, and fought for the cause which he believed to be right 



y 1 1 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

until the close of the war; after which lie returned to Louisiana, and in associa- 
tion with his father engaged in agricultural pursuits. Upon the death of the 
father the care of the family devolved upon him. He was thus brought to face 
the realties of life when quite young. He now resides upon the old homestead 
plantation, which he operates with success. 

In 1872, he was married, in St. IMaitlnville, Louisiana, to Miss O'Rouke, 
daughter of James and Juliet Bienvenu. Her parents have been dead a number 
of years. To tliis union have been born five cliildren, Marie, Therese, Alma, 
Anita and Rosamond. Mr. Berard and family are all Catholics. 

* 

^ ULGER BOURQUE, St. Martinville.— The subject of this sketch was 
born in St. James parish, Louisiana, in 1827. He received a fair education 
and began life as a planter. He now owns three hundred acres of fine su- 
gar land in St. Martin parish, and is one of St. Martin's prosperous plant- 
ers. In 1848 he married Miss Aglas Pettavin, a native of St. James parish, 
Louisiana. This union has been blessed with seven children, all of whom 
are residents of this parish. Mr. Bourque and family are Catholics. 

* 

* « 

"^ LUDJUR BOURQUE, St. Martinville.— Mr. Bourque was born in St. 
Martin parish in 1864. He is the son of Ulger and Aglas (Pettavin) Bourque, 
whose sketch appears above. 

Mr. Bourque received a common school education and began life as a 
farmer, in which business he has since continued. He married, in 1885, Miss 
Eliza LeBlanc, daughter of Oglus and Mary LeBlanc. They are the parents 
of two children, viz: Oglus and Nulla. Mr. Bourque and family are members 
of St. Martinville Catholic church. 

• * 

"^ JULES BOURQUE, St. Martinville.— Mr. Bourque is a native of the 
parish in which he resides, and was born in 1874. ^^ '^^ ^'^ ^°" °^ J* '^'^^ ^• 
Bourque, also natives of Louisiana. J. Bourque died in June, 1874, ^^ ^^ '^S^ 
of seventy-four years. His wife still survives him, and resides with our sub- 
ject. 

Jules Bourque married Miss Ailene Girard, a native of Lafayette parish, and 
daughter of Dominique and Eusid (Valet) Girard. To this union have been born 
six children, viz: Ellis K., Joseph, Calles, Jules, Felix Belsil. 

Mrs. Bourque died in 1886, and in 1887 Mr. Bourque married Miss L. Mail- 
lot, daughter of Dominique and Christina (Blaze) Maillot, of Lafayette par- 
ish. They have one child, Alena. Mr. Bourque owns and operates a caneplan- 
tation. He and famil}' are Catholics. v 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 315 

ALADIN BROUSSARD, Cade.— Mr. Broussard was born in Calcasieu 
parish in 1854. ^'^ father, Napoleon Broussard, is a native of Iberia parish, 
born in 1813. Asp.isie Broussard, his mother, was born in Lafayette parish. 
His parents now reside near Lake Arthur, Louisiana. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of five children. He began 
business for himself in 1877 as a merchant, and this has been his business since. 
He married in 1886 Miss Augusta Tenney, daughter of John P. and Anna 
Tenney, natives of this State. They became the parents of two children. Mr. 
Broussard and family are Catholics. 

SAVIQUE BROUSSARD, Bkeaux Bridge.— Savique Broussard is a 
successful planter, residing near Breaux Bridge. He is the son of Z. and Car- 
melite (Martin) Broussard, both of whom are natives of this parish. Z. 
Broussard was for six years sheriff of St. Martin parish. He was a successful 
sugar planter. He died in 1878. His wife died in 1859. 

Savique Broussard is the eldest of a family of three children. He received 
his education in St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. After leaving school he 
engaged as clerk for a period of two years in a mercantile establishment in St. 
Martinville. Later he removed to his plantation, and has since given his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits. Upon his plantation he raises principally cotton, 
to which the land is specially adapted. 

Mr. Broussard married, October, 1850, Miss Alice Mouton, a native of Lafay- 
ette, born 1835, and daughter of Edmund and Eulalie Mouton. They became 
the parents of seven children: Edmund, Albert, Paul, Louise, Alice, Elise and 

Angel. , 

» * 

A. G. BROUSSARD, Breaux Bridge.— Mr. Broussard was born in St. 
Martin parish, February 21, 1832. He is the son of Z. and Carmelite 
(Martin) Broussard, both of whom are natives of the parish. Mr. Broussard 
received a liberal education, having attended St. Charles College for a period of 
three years, afterward completing his education in the West Military Institute, 
of Kentucky. Upon the completion of his Hterar}' studies, Mr. Broussard 
entered the law department of the Tulane University, New Orleans, where he 
pursued a course, and was admitted to the bar at St. Martinville. He practised 
his profession at St. Martinville for a period of three years, when, finding 
plantation lite more congenial to his taste, he retired from his profession, and 
has since been engaged in planting and school teaching. 

During the " late unpleasantness " he was in active service. He entered 
the army on the breaking out of the war as sergeant in the New Orleans Guards. 
He dien volunteered in the regular service for three months, and engaged in the 
battle of Shiloh; after which he had an attack of sickness, which so disabled 



316 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

him as to unfit him for service, and he received his discharge and returned 
home. 

Mr. Broussard is united in marriage with Miss Cecile Mouton, daughter of 
Edmund and Eulalie (Voorhies) Mouton, of Lafayette parish. They are the 
parents of ten children, seven of whom are living. 

» * 
'^ JOHN A. BOYD, M. D., Breaux Bridge.— Dr. Boyd was born in 
Newbur}' district, South Carolina. He is the son of John Boyd and Mary 
Wilson, both natives of South Carolina. He was reared in his native county 
and attended the schools of that place, from which he received a thorough 
academic education, chiefly at Beaver Dam Academy. After completing his 
literary studies he began the study of medicine under Dr. William G. Dierson, 
of Franklin, Tennessee, where he pursued his studies for four years, when he 
entered the medical college at Lexington, Kentucky, and, after attending one 
session, received his diploma. He began practice in Giles county, Tennessee, 
and removed after a short while to Hines county, Mississippi. After practising 
in this place for three years, he emigrated to Breaux Bridge, St. Martin parish, 
Louisiana, where he continued to practice. The Doctor stands high in his pro- 
fession, and has a large practice at this place. He is united in marriage with 
Miss Belzere Ledoux, daughter of August and Ludsin (Cormier) Ledoux, of St. 
Martin parish. They have two living children, John L., and Boyd. 

» 

• * 

^ N. A. CORMIER, St. Martinville. — Mr. Cormier was born in St. Mar- 
tin parish, July 6, 1853. He is the son of N. and E. (Ledoux) Cormier. He 
received a good education and began business for himself as a planter and stock 
raiser. He has a good plantation of nine hundred acres in this parish which 
he has operated with success. Mr. Cormier is united in marriage with Miss 
Josette Olivier, daughter of C. M. and Aminlhe (Berard) OHvier. They are 
the parents of three children, viz: Anna, Joseph, and Louise. Mr. Cormier 

and family are Catholics. # 

* » 

V ANATOLE CORMIER, St. Martinville.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of St. Martin parish, born 1855. He is the son of N. and E. (Le- 
doux) Cormier, mentioned elsewhere. 

Anatole Cormier is the youngest of a family of three children. He was 
reared in his native parish, and received fair educational advantages. He has 
been a planter since he began business for himself, and has prospered in his 
vocation. He married, in 1882, Miss Aminthe Oliver, daughter of C. M. and 
Aminthe (Berard) Oliver, of St. Martin parish. To them have been born two 
children, Isabella and Jane. Mr. Cormier and family are Catholics. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 317 

^ NUMA CORMIER, Breaux Bridge. — Mr. Cormier is a successful planter 
and merchant of this place. He is a native of St. Martin parish, and was born 
near where he now resides. He is the son of Emile and Julie (Broussard) Cor- 
mier, both of whom are natives of St. Martin parish. 

Mr. Cormier was born in 1850, and was reared on the homestead where he 
now resides. He attended private school at this place, where he received a 
good education, principally in his parent tongue — French. Completing his 
studies, he engaged with his father in carrj'ing on the plantation, in which occu- 
pation he still continues. 

In 1874 ^^ ^'^^ united in marriage with Cecile Domengeaux, daughter of 
A. F. and Julia (Guidry) Domengeaux, of St. Martin parish. To this union have 
been born six children, one son and five daughters: Corinne, Lota, Julie, Ar- 
thur, Edith and Magda. Mr. Cormier is a prosperous planter. He has a planta- 
tion of one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivates in a variety of products, 
chiefly in cotton and corn. He also operates a large cotton gin on his plantation. 
Of recent vears he has added to his business a grocery on his plantation. 
Beginning witti a very small stock he has increased his business until he now 
carries a large stock of general merchandise, and does an annual business of 
fifteen thousand dollars. 

Mr. Cormier's father is still living witii him, being about sixty-seven years 
of age. His mother died in 1850, at about thirty years of age. 

# 
* * 

LAURENT CULKIN, M. D., St. Martinville.— By birth, Dr. Culkin is 
a Mississippian, but by adoption a Louisianian. He was born in Yazoo (now 
Sharkey) county, Mississippi, November i, 1839. ^^'^ father, Edward Culkin, 
was born in Ireland, but removed to America when a boy. After attaining the 
years of manhood he located in Yazoo, Mississippi, where he began planting, 
and was very successful, and at the beginning of the war he operated a large 
and valuable plantation. By the war he lost nearly everytliing he possessed. 
But, accepting the decree of fate, he began with determined zeal to amend his 
fallen fortune, but ere he attained his hope he died, in 1866. Our subject's 
mother was Miss Mary Conley; she became the mother of five sons and two 
daughters, the Doctor being the youngest of the family. 

Dr. Culkin was reared in Mississippi, where he received good educational 
advantages. When eighteen years of age he entered Trinity Medical College, 
Dul)lin, Ireland, where he remained four years, graduating with honors. Return- 
ing to his native State with the intention of practising his profession, he 
entered the Confederate service, and was surgeon in the command of Bedford 
Forrest until the close of the war. After the war he resumed his practice in 
Mississippi. In 1871 he removed to Louisiana, and first located in New Orleans 
in 1882. He then removed to this place, where he has since practised and 



318 SOUTHWES7' L OUISIANA : 

become recognized as one of the leading pliysicians of his section. Dr. Culkin 
married quite early in life Miss Dorothea Owen, a native of Kentucky, though 
reared and educated in Mississippi. To this union were born two sons; one died 
in infancy tlie other when just on the verge of manhood. 

* 

E. G. CROWSON, St. Martinville — Mr. Crowson is a native of Ken- 
tucky. He is the son of Hucal and Nanc)' (Morris) Crowson, natives of North 
Carolina. The father of our subject was a large land holder in Kentucky, where 
he had removed early in life. 

E. G. Crowson received his early education in Kentucky, and began busi- 
ness for himself at the age of seventeen years. Since living in St. Martin par- 
ish he has been engaged in conducting a mercantile and lumber business. He 
has a good plantation of about two hundred and twenty-five acres in St. Martin 
parish. Mr. Crowson has been married twice, first in 1855, and a second time, 
in 1864, to Miss Gabrille Lafountian, daughter of Jules and Amelia (Tenneson) 
Lafountian. Mr. Crowson is one of St. Martin's successful business men. 

* » 

J. U. CHAMPAGNE, Breaux Bridge. — Mr. Champagne, a merchant of 
Breaux Bridge, is a native of Louisiana, born September 27, 1863. He is the 
son of O. and Pilama (Thibodeaux) Champagne, both of whom are natives of 
Lafourche parish, Louisiana. 

J. U. Champagne is one of a family of eight children, seven of whom are 
living. He was reared and educated in Lafourche parish. He began business 
at the age of nineteen as a clerk in the mercantile establishment of F. M. Sey- 
mour, of Abbeville, where he remained for two years, when he removed to St. 
Martin parish, and engaged in merchandise at Breaux Bridge. He began busi- 
ness on a capital of $250 in a rented building. He has been very successful in 
his business undertakings, and now carries a stock of $3000 worth of goods, and 
does an annual business of from $15,00010 $18,000. He owns his own business 
property, having agood two-story building, eighteen by sixty feet. Mr. Champagne 
is a thorough-going, energetic business man. He was married. May 18, 1890, 
to Miss Hebert, daughter of A. Hebert, of St. Martin parish. Both Mr. 
Champagne and wife are members of the Breaux Bridge Dramatic Association, 
and he of the Breaux Bridge brass band. 

/ 

F. D. D. DeLaCROIX, St. Martinville. — The subject of this sketch 

was born in Jefferson[parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Joseph Dusuan De- 
LaCroi.v, and Estelle D. DeBlanc, both natives of Louisiana. Joseph Dusuan 
DeLaCroix was at one time a ver}' extensive planter and land holder of St. 
Martin parish. He died in 1841, his wife surviving him until 1885. The 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 319 

/ 
DeBlanc family has been in this country since 1696; and the DeLaCroix 

since 1740. The ancestor of the DeBlanc family was Jussereau DeBlanc de 
St. Denis, who founded the city of Natchitoches in 1703. 

The subject of this sketch received a good education, and is a gentle- 
man of culture and intelligence. He has been planting a great part of his 
life, and now operates in this parish a plantation of thirteen hundred acres, 
belonging to his sister. Miss Elizabeth D. DeLiCroiv. In the beginning 
of hostilities, Mr. DeLaCroix enlisted in tlie Confederate army and served 
for three years. He was married in 1878 to Miss Mary J. Frankford, of 
New Orleans. They are the parents of three children, viz: Albert, Eliza- 
beth, Georgiana. Mr. DeLaCroix and family are Catliolics. 

* 
f * * 

O. J. DURAND, St. Martinville. — Mr. Durand is a successful planter 
of the third ward of St. Martin parish. He is a native of the parish, born in 
1846. His father, Charley J. Durand, is a native of France, but removed to 
Louisiana when a young man, where he married and became a successful and 
extensive planter. He was twice married and became the father of twenty- 
four children. He died in 1876 at the age of sixty-two years. Our subject's 
mother is a native of St. Mary parish, born in 1832, and died in 1882. 

O. J. Durand was reared and educated in St. Landry parish, and com- 
menced active business life at the age of eighteen, as manager of his 
father's plantation. Planting has been Mr. Durand's chtef occupation. He 
now owns a plantation of 430 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation and 
yields him a handsome income. It is generally conceded that Mr. Durand is 
one of the most successful planters of this section. He married in 1867 Miss 
Felicie DeBlanc, a native of St. Martin parish. They are the parents of thir- 
teen children, viz: Louise, Gilbert, Agnes, Blanche, Felicie, Oscar, Albert, 
Stella, Osward, Therese, Eveline, Corinne and Marcel. Mr. Durand and 

family are Catholics. « 

« * 

RENE M. DURAND, St. Martinville. — Rene Durand was born in St. 
Martin parish in 1855. He spent his early school days in New Orleans, and subse- 
quentl}'^ attended school at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He entered the mercantile 
business as a clerk, and subsequently followed planting until 1882, when he 
entered the employment of the Morgan Railroad Company, in whose employment 
he still remains. He was married in the year of 1875 to Miss A. Bienvenu, of 
St. Martinsville. To them have been born seven children, of whom four are 
living, two sons and two daughters. 

Mr. Durand is a most efficient employe, standing well with the company, 
to wliose business he attends assiduousl}'. He also gives general satisfaction in 
dealing with the public. 



S 20 SO UTN IVES 7' L O UISIA NA : 

DANIEL DeBLANC, St. Martinville. — Mr. DeBlanc, telegraph oper- 
ator at St. Martinville, was born April 5, 1858. He is a son of Alcibiade and 
Mathilde (Bryant) DeBlanc, who were the parents of ten children, our subject 
being the eighth in order of birth. 

Daniel DeBlanc spent his school days in Bloomington, Indiana, where he 
received a common school education. On leaving school he entered the em- 
ployment of the Morgan Railway Company, and is now a telegraph operator. 
He has been in their employment about ten years, and has been stationed at the 
following places: Sunset, Garland, Carencro, Broussardville, and is at present 

in St. Martinville. , 

• * 

^ A. DUPUIS, Jr., Arnaudville. — Mr. Dupuis was born in St. Martin 
parish, September 21, 1847. He is the son of A. Dupuis, Sr. His parents 
were both natives of Louisiana, and his father a successful planter. 

A. Dupuis, Jr., was reared in the parish in which he was born and now re- 
sides. He attended the public schools, from whicli he received a good education. 
Early in life he engaged in farming, to which he has given his full attention 
since. He now owns a good plantation of one hundred and sixt}' acres of land, 
upon which he raises corn and cotton chiefly. He also conducts a flourishing 
mercantile business in connection with his plantation. Mr. Dupuis served for 
three years as post-master of Leonville, and is the captain of the Breaux Bridge 
militia. Mr. Dupuis is united in marriage with Miss Em'ilise Cormier, a native 
of St. Landry parish, and daughter of Z. Cormier. They are the parents of 
five children, viz: Adolphena, Adolph, Celeine, Leonce and Eugenie. 

* 

* » 

JOS. V. DUGAS, Breaux Bridge. — Mr. Dugas was born in St. Martin 
parish in 1845. He is the son of Valerian and Victois (Guidry) Dugas; the 
former is a native of Lafaj-ette parish, the latter of St. Martin parish, Louisiana. 

The subject of this sketch at the age of thirteen entered St. Charles Col- 
lege, attending two sessions, when he entered the Confederate service, and 
served for a period of two years, after which he returned to St. Martin parish, 
and was shortly afteward married to Miss Josephine Thibodeaux, daughter of 
Olive and A. (Melangon) Thibodeaux, of St. Martin parish. Jos. Dugas is a 
planter, and to this vocation he has given his whole attention. He has a small 
fertile plantation near Breaux Bridge, which he has operated with success. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dugas are parents of eight children. 

» 
/ » * 

EUGENE D. DUCHAMP, Cade.— Mr. Duchamp is a native of the par- 
ish and was born in .1863. He is the son of E. A. and Emily Duchamp, natives 
of New Jersey, but who removed to St. Martin parish early in life. They have 
reared a large family and now reside near St. Martinville. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 323 

The subject of our sketch grew to manhood and received his education in 
St. Martin parish. He has been a planter since he began business, and now 
owns and controls a fine plantation seven miles west of St. Martinsville, where 
he cultivates sugar cane. He was married in 1883. Mr. Duchamp and family 
are members of the Catholic church. 

♦ » 

E. A. DUCHAMP, St. Martinville. — The subject of this sketch is a 
native of New Jersey; born in Morns county in 1837. He is the son of G. B. 
and Emily (Sandoz) Duchamp. G. B. Duchamp is a native of the West Indies; 
born on the Island of Martinique. He removed to Morris county, New Jersey 
in 1830. After remaining here thirteen years, lie returned to the home of his youth 
on a visit in 1846, remaining about four years. After his arrival in the United 
Siates he removed to New Orleans. Our subject's mother was a native of New 
York; born, 1809; died, 1848. 

The subject of our sketch removed to St. Martin parish in 1853, wliere he 
began the operation of the plantation wliere he now resides, three miles west of St. 
Martinsville. This plantation consists of about one tliousand five hundred acres 
of as fine land as there is in the parish. He also owns a large plantation in Iberia 
parish of more than three thousand acres. He has been very successful in his 
agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. Duchamp married, in i860. Miss Emily Sandoz, daughter of David and 
Claire C. (Labbe) Sandoz. Mrs. Duchamp's father was a native of Switzer- 
land ; her mother, of St. Martin parish, Louisiana. Mr. Duchamp and family 

are Catliolics. , 

« » 

^ LOUIS C. DUCHAMP De CHASTAIGNE, St. Martin Parish.— Mr. 
Duchamp is a native of Morris county, New Jersey, born February 8, 1842. 
He is the son of J. B. Eugene Duchamp de Chastaigne and Marie Louise Jose- 
phine Sophie Merope Martin de Lamartiniere, both from the Island of Marti- 
nique. 

At the age of three years Mr. Duchamp's parents left New Jersey for Mar- 
tinique, in 1845, and at the age of eight years left Martinique (in the year 1850) 
for New Orleans, Louisiana, and thence for St. Martinville, in 1853, where he 
attended school. When the war broke out he was a druggist, assisting his father 
in that capacity. He enlisted in the Confederate service on the 5th of May, but 
left for active service with his two brothers on June 5, i86i,in Company C, Eighth 
Louisiana Regiment, First Louisiana Brigade, under the command of General 
Dick Taylor, and made the campaign under Stonewall Jackson. He was severely 
wounded on the 27th of June, 1862, at Cold Harbor (Seven Days' Fight before 
Richmond), and was detailed intheTrans-Mississippi department, as druggist, for 
a few months. After recovering frorii his wound he reenlisted for active service 
20a 



324 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

and assisted at the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. At the 
close of the war he went back to his family and occupation. September i8, 
1866, he married Miss Marie Philomene Emma Voorhies, daughter of Edgar 
Voorhies, a prominent lawyer, and Marie Eugeide Martin, of this parish. To 
this union have been born six children: Theobald E., Marie Louise (wife of 
Eugene Olivier), Louis Joseph, Marie Emma, Marie Cidalise and Francis T. 
Mr. Duchampis a successful planter, and owns a sugar plantation of five hundred 
acres in St. Martin parish, which he cultivates principally in sugar cane. Mr. 
Duchamp and family are Catholics. 

J. ARTHUR DOMENGEAU, Breaux Bridge.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of St. Martin parish, born October 11, 1849. He is the son of J. S. 
Domengeau and a native of St. Martin parish. 

Young Arthur received a good preparatory education in the public schools, 
and at the age of thirteen he entered the St. Charles College at Grand Coteau, 
where he remained for a period of six years. He began life as a merchant in 
partnership with his father. In 1874 he retired from this business, and, with the 
exception of the time he has given to his official duties, he has given since his 
chief attention to planting. In 1874 ^"<^ 1879 ^^ served as justice of the peace 
from his ward. At the expiration of this time he was elected assessor of St. 
Martin parish, in which capacity he served until 1884. In 1885 he was appointed 
notary public under Governor S. D. McEnery, and was again elected as justice 
of the peace in 1888, and is the present incumbent of this position. His strict 
attention to business and the faitlifulness with which he has discharged his 
official duties has gained for Mr. Domengeau something of a local reputation. 
He was married in 1870 to Miss Emily D. Gallagher, the daughter of F. W. and 
Emily Gallagher, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Louisiana. 
They are the parents of nine children — ^J. Randolph, Frank, Azele, Dora, 
John, Zachery, Arthur, Etta and Ward. Mr. Domengeau and family are 

Catholics. , 

* » 

A. F. DOMENGEAUX, Bre.\ux Bridge. — Mr. Domengeaux is a merchant 
of Breaux Bridge. He was born in 1855, in St. Martin parish. His parents 
were F. A. and Julie (Guidry) Domengeaux, both being natives of the same 
parish. A. F. Domengeaux received his education in the public and private 
schools of this parish. He began business life at the age of seventeen as clerk 
in the store of O. Broussard, Breaux Bridge, with whom and other mercantile 
firms he remained for a period of four years, when he opened business for him- 
self. Beginning with a small stock of merchandise, he has increased it by care- 
ful management and business tact, until he now does one of the chief businesses 
of the place. His business amounts to about $20,000 annually. He is an 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 325 

extensive cotton buyer and shipper. He also owns and operates a steam cotton 
gin and grist mill. Mr. Domengeaux has taken an active part in the political 
affairs of St. Martin parish. In 1884 he was elected clerk of the district court, 
but he did not serve. He has represented his party in the last three guber- 
natorial conventions, and has been a member of numerous congressional and 
judicial conventions. He is a member of the Breaux Bridge Literary and 
Dramatic Association, and the Breaux Bridge Turf Association, of which organ- 
ization he was first president and is now one of the directors. 

Mr. Domengeaux was married, January i, 1883, to Miss Edmie Ledoux, 
a native of St. Martin parish. They are the parents of three children, Leta L., 
Louise L., and Henry Clay. , 

^ JEAN DOMEC, Arnaudville. — The subject of this sketch is a native of 
France, born February 9, 1848. His father, John Louis Domec, was a native 
of France and spent his whole life in that country. Our subject's mother was 
Miss Jennie Frechen, also a native of France. 

John Domec was reared in his native country and received his education 
from good private schools. He began life as a farmer and was for nine years 
engaged on his father's farm in France. He was subsequently engaged in the 
same business for himself for two years, at which time he emigrated to America 
and located in St. Landry parish, near Grand Coteau, where he purchased a 
plantation and began planting, which he continued for a period of eighteen 
years. He then removed to St. Martin parish and purchased a tract of land of 
eighteen hundred acres, eight hundred of which are under cultivation. He 
raises cotton chiefly. Mr. Domec was married to Miss Ozemia Lier, of St. 
Landry parish. To them have been born three sons and two daughters, viz: 
Firmin, Jean, Louis, Hypolite, Alice, Clara. 

Mr. Domec is one of the most extensive and successful planters in this sec- 
tion. , 

» * 

1/ HERVILLIEN DAVID, Jr., BreauxBridge.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of St. Martin parish, born September 12, 1837. He is the son of H. 
David and Elise Guidry, of Louisiana. H. David, Jr., received a good educa- 
tion in the private schools of St. Martin parish, and began life as a planter. His 
father having died while he was a boy, the responsibility of the family devolved 
upon him; and he remained upon his mother's plantation until she died. Since 
that time he has operated the plantation with success, and is considered one of 
the most progressive planters in his native parish. 

Mr. David was married, in 1873, to Miss Cecelia Babin of this parish. She 
only lived for a short while after her marriage; and in 1881 Mr. David married 
a second time. Miss Azelie Martin, daughter of Balthazar and Julie (LeBlanc) 
Martin. To them have been born one daughter, Elise. 



326 SO UTH WEST LO UISIA NA : 

WILLIAM B. EASTIN, St. Martinville.— William B. Eastin, chief 
deputy clerk of the court of St. Martin parish, Louisiana, was born in St. 
Martinsville, July 4, 1849. 

lie is the son of Richard T. and Octavia (Fontenette) Eastin. Richard T. 
Eastin was appointed second lieutenant and afterward first lieutenant in the 
Mexican war by President James K. Polk. Octavia Eastin was born in St. Mar- 
tinsville, Louisiana, 184S. Ten children were born to this marriage, of whom 
our subject was the oldest. His mother is still living. 

William B. Eastin spent his earlier school days in Grand Coteau College, 
Louisiana, and subsequently attended St. Johns College, Fordham, New York, 
where he completed his classical course. 

On his return home he read law for two years in the office of Jules Gray in 
St. Martinsville. lie preferred the freedom of the plantation, however, to the 
confinement of the office, and at this period turned his attention to planting, at 
which he remained for three years. He was then appointed justice of the peace 
and served two years, after which he was appointed chief deputy recorder of 
St. Martin parish, which position he held until 1880, at which the recorder's 
and clerk's offices were consolidated into one. He was appointed chief deputy 
clerk of the court, 1881, and still occupies that position. 

He was married in December, 1882, to Miss Gabrielle Guereniere. She 
was born in St. Martinsville, 1851. Nine children were born to this marriage, 
seven sons and two daughters, all of which are now alive. 

Mr. W. B, Eastin stands high in public favor and is looked upon as a 

rising man of St. Martin parish. , 

* • 

" ALEXANDER V. FOURNET, St. Martinville.— Mr. Fournet, clerk 
of the court at St. Martinville, was born in St. Martin parish, August 2, 1849. 

He is the son of Valsin A. Fournet, who was born at Breaux Bridge, St. 
Martin parish, in 1818. He enlisted for the war with Mexico, but on reaching 
the City of New Orleans found that the City of Mexico had been captured 
and that there was no necessity for going further. 

Alexander V. Fournet received excellent educational advantages. He 
attended St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, from 1861 till 1863, and was then 
sent for a short period to St. Mary's College, Montreal, Canada, after which 
he attended St. Johns College, Fordham, New York, uniil 1868. Having 
completed his course of mental discipline he I'eturned to his home at St. 
Martinville and engaged in planting until 187 1, at which time he was appointed 
assessor of St. Martin parish by Governor Nicholls. He served until the con- 
stitutional convention of 1879, when he tendered his resignation to Governor 
L. A. Wiltz and returned to his plantation, where he remained until he became 
deputy clerk of the court at St. Martinville, 1881. In 18S2 he was appointed 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 337 

clerk of the court by Gov. McEnery, and has been elected to the same position 
twice since that time by the people of St. Martin parish, and still fills the office 
in a most efficient and satisfactory manner. 

Mr. Fournet was married to Miss Mary L. Monge, in May, 1S70, and there 
has been born to this marriage twelve children, all of whom are now alive. 

Mrs. A. V. Fournet is the daughter of the late Edmond Monge, a prominent 

citizen, who was recorder of St. Martin parish for a number of years. 

* 
» » 

"^ L. P. FOURNET, Cade.— Mr. Fournet is a native of this parish, born 

1843. He is the son of A. V. and Pauline Fournet, both of whom are natives 

of St. Martin parish, and of the early settlers of this section. A. V. Fournet 

was quite a prominent man in St. Martin parish, and for a number of years prior 

to his death was clerk of the district court of this place. He was an extensive 

planter. He died in 1879. Mrs. Fournet died in 1863. 

The subject of this sketch spent his early days in St. Martin parish, and 
received the benefit of such schools as then existed. At twenty years of age, in 
1863, he enlisted in the Confederate service and served until the close of the 
war. He commenced active business life for himself in 1865, upon his return 
from the army. He has given his whole attention since that time to planting. 
He now owns a plantation of six hundred acres in St. Martin parish, which 
yields a handsome income. 

Mr. Fournet is united in marriage with Miss Edmie Morge, of this parish. 
They became the parents of nine children: Michael, Alfred, Leon, Lee, Paul, 
Charles, Walter, Darcaine and Andin. Mr. Fournet and family are members 

of the Catholic church. , 

* • 

^ ALFRED FUSELIER, St. Martinville.— Alfred Fuselier was born in 
St. Martin parish, Louisiana, December 22, 1848. He is the son of Alcide 
Gabriel and Auron (Gadenego) Fuselier. The father was born in St. Martin 
parish, Louisiana, in 1816, and is now a resident of this parish. He has occu- 
pied many official positions in the parish, and takes an active part in social and 
pohtical affairs. The mother was born in Italy about 1828, and died in Louis- 
iana in 1855. There have been born to them fourteen children, nine sons and 
five daughters. Of these nine are living, the oldest being fifty-two years of age. 

The subject of our sketch was reared in Louisiana, and educated at St. 
Charles College, Grand Coteau. He received a liberal education, which has 
fitted him for a successful business life. He entered the Confederate army in 
1863, enlisting as a private in the Eighth Louisiana Infantrj^ and with them 
served until the close of the war; upon whicli event he returned to his home 
and engaged in the sugar industry. 

In 1884 he married Miss Elouido Beraud, a native of St. Martin parish, the 



338 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

daughter of a prominent and highly respected planter of this parish. Both of 
her parents are dead. The result of this marriage is three children: Amelia, 
Loranzo and Philomene. 

Mr. Fuselier is deputy sheriff of St. Martin parish, and has performed the 
duties of his office with the greatest vigilance. He, as were his ancestors, is of 

the Catholic religion. , 

* « 

L. FOURGEAUD, M. D., Breaux Bridge. — Dr. Fourgeaud is a native 
of France, born in 1856. He is a son of Charles and A. S. Fourgeaud. The 
subject of this sketch received his literary education at Bordeaux and his medical 
in the Faculte de Medicine of the same place, of which institution he is a grad- 
uate. Upon the completion of his course he emigrated to Louisiana in i88l. 
In 1883 he received the degree of M. D. from the Tulane Universit}'. He first 
practised at Rockport, Bayou Lafourche, remaining there until 1885, when he 
came to Breaux Bridge, where he has since practised. 

The Doctor married in June, 1880, Isabelle, daughter of J. M. Lawson, a 
prominent business man of New Orleans. Dr. Fourgeaud has an extensive and 

remunerative practice. , 

« • 

J. A. GUERRIN, St. Martinville. — J. A. Guerrin was born in New 
Orleans, i860. He is the son of A. and Amelia (Fonrugu) Guerrin. A. Guerrin 
was born in New Orleans 1822, and Amelia Guerrin was also born in New 
Orleans, 1845. They became parents of thirteen children, our subject being the 
youngest boy. A. Guerrin was a hatter by trade and lived in New Iberia. He 
was a Confederate soldier during the war and served first as a private and sub- 
sequently in the tin shop. He spent his school days in New Iberia. He worked 
in his father's tin shop till he was twenty-four years old, when he married 
Miss Eva Bonin, of St. Martin parish. She is the daughter of A. Bonin, a 
large planter in St. Martin parish, who died of yellow fever in 1867. 

J. A. Guerrin is father of three children, all of whom are now living. Mr. 
Guerrin is now proprietor of a hotel in St. Martinville. 

• » 

LOUIS C. GAUTHIER, St. Martinville.— The subject of this sketch 
was born in St. Martin parish in 1850. He is the son of A. C. and Mary 
(Lebert) Gauthier. A. C. Gauthier was a native of New York, born in 1796 
and died in 1878. He was an extensive planter and stock jraiser of St. Martin 
parish. 

Louis Gauthier, as a boy, had good educational opportunities, and obtained 
a good practical business education. He began business in 1875 as a planter 
and stock raiser, in which he has since continued with marked success. He 
now own a plantation of six hundred acres of land, five miles north of St. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 829 

Martinville. He has on his place about $5000 worth of hve stock. His plan- 
tation is chiefly cultivated in sugar, cane and cotton. Mr. Gauthieralso operates 
a cotton gin. He was married in 1876 to Miss Mary Locker, a daughter of 
Joseph and Leontine (Billeaud) Locker, natives of France. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gauthier are the parents of eight children, viz: Leona, Angelina, Charles, 
George, Francis, Henry, Lorenza, Amelia. Mr. Gauthier js giving his children 
the best educational advantages, having employed a teacher who gives them 
instructions at their home. Mr. Gauthier and family are Catholics. 

» * 

^ A. GAUTHIER, St. Martinville. — The subject of this sketch was 
born in St. Martin parish in 1856, and is the son of A. C. Gauthier, mentioned 
above. 

The subject of this sketch spent his j'outhful daj's in St. Martin parish. 
He received his education at St. Charles College. He has followed the same 
business in which his father was engaged, and is now a prosperous planter and 
stock raiser. His plantation, six miles northwest of St. Martinville, consists of 
three hundred and sixty-five acres of valuable land on the Teche. 

Mr. Gauthier is united in marriage with Miss Lucy Thimecourt Bienvenu. 
She is a native of St. Martin parish, and is the daughter of Thomas E. and 
Eliza (Potier) Thimecourt Bienvenu. Mr. and Mrs. Gauthier are the parents 
of seven children, viz : Edgar A., Regina M., Lucy, Virginia E., Helen, Syd- 
ney, Cornillie. Mr. Gauthier and family are Catholics. 

» 
« • 

^ C. M. GAUTHIER, St. Martinville.— Mr. Gauthier was born in St. 

Martin parish in 1830. He is the son of Charles and Marselite (Cormier) 

Gauthier, natives of France and St. Martinville, Louisiana, respectively. 

Charles Gauthier died in 1878. His wife died in 1844. 

At the age of seventeen C. M. Gauthier began life for himself as a farmer, 
and to this he has given his chief attention since that time. He is also quite an 
extensive stock raiser. Mr. Gauthier has a fine plantation in this parish of 
about twelve hundred acres, on which he cultivates principally sugar and corn. 
He is considered one of the most successful planters of this section. 

Mr. Gauthier was married in 1859 ^° Miss Alice Andrus, a native of Cal- 
casieu parish, and daughter of Hiram Andrus, of Louisiana. To this union 
have been born six children. Mr. Gauthier and family are members of the 

Catholic church of St. Martinsville. 

* 
* » 

GABRIEL GARDEMAL, St. Martinville.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of Louisiana, and was born February 18, 1858. His father, Titus 
Gardemal was a native of French Island, Guadeloupe. He was partly reared 



330 SOUTHWEST L O ITS J ANA : 

and educated in Guadeloupe. He attended college in Paris, France, where he 
completed his education. After leaving college he emigrated to America in 
1848 and was for a time engaged in steamboating on the Teche and the Missis- 
sippi. During this time he was a resident of New Orleans. For many )'ears 
before his death in 1864, he was a resident of St. Martinville. Our subject's 
mother was Miss Eu^olie Josephine Fontenette, died December, 1883, having 
become the mother of six children, four of whom are living. Both father and 
mother were devoted Catholics. Mrs. Gardemal gave much of her attention 
and means to the furtherance of the interest of the church. 

Our subject was reared and educated in St. Martinville, subsequently pur- 
suing a business course in New Orleans. His father dying when he was quite 
a boy, he was thrown entirely upon his own resources and compelled to map out 
his own course in life. Beginning at the age of fifteen as a common laborer, he 
devoted all his leisure time to the study of telegraphy, which he soon mastered, 
and at the age of twenty became operator at Vermilionville (now Lafayette). For 
many years he was engaged as agent at different points on the Southern Pacific 
Railroad. Desiring a change, he removed to Texas, where he was engaged in 
the same business. In 1884 he returned to his home to attend his mother in her 
dying hours. After her death he embarked in the mercantile business in St. 
Martinville. The success which has attended his business undertaking is en- 
tirely due to his tact and energy, of which he possesses a large amount. Dur- 
ing four years in which he was engaged in this business, he served as deputy 
sheriff, and in 1887 he was elected mayor of St. Martinville. In 18S8 he was 
elected sheriff of St. Martin parish, of whicli position he is the present incum- 
bent. Politically, he is a Republican. While taking an active interest in his 
respective party, he is by no means a partisan. Indeed, so conservative is he in 
the discharge of his official duties that he enjoys the utmost respect even of his 
strong political opponents. He was married, in 1884, t° MissMalvina Faurries, 
a native of New Orleans, but a resident of St. Martinsville at that time. She 
is the daughter of Pierre and Mary (Wolf) Faurries. Her father is of French 
descent, and her mother German. To this union have been born three children, 
viz: Louise Eudolie, Volina Marie, Mozella Jeanne. 

» » 

PROFESSOR ALBERT GABRIEL, St. Martinville.— Professor 
Gabriel is a native of France; born near Marseilles, April, 1846. His father, 
Antoine Gabriel, was a native of the same place; he died at Marseilles in 1881. 
He was a man of extraordinary ability and culture. He was a graduate of the 
College of Langues, of Lyons, and was president of a college at Marseilles for 
thirty-six years. The mother of our subject, Miss Isabelle Coer, was also a 
native of Marseilles. She died in 1854. 

Professor Gabriel was reared and educated in his native land. Attending 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 331 

school at Marseilles, he graduated from one of the best institutions of that city 
with high honors. He chose as his profession teaching, and, with this in view, 
he attended the Normal School at Aix, of which he is a graduate. After leaving 
school he became secretary to one of the government engineers, and during the 
four years he was engaged in this capacity he visited Africa and other foreign 
countries. He entered the army in 1866, enlisting in the Third Regiment Zou- 
aves. Here he remained for seven years, as was made compulsory by the 
laws of France at that date. He was in many of the hard-fought battles in the 
Franco-German war. Two of his brothers fell in service. 

After the war he returned to his home, where he remained for two years, 
when he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York in March, 1873, 
He procured a position as teacher and remained there for nine years. With a 
view to being located in a milder climate he removed to Louisiana and located 
in St. Martinville, where he resumed school teaching, which he still follows. 
In 1884 he married Miss Emily M. Griswold, an accomplished young lady of 
New York. Like her husband, she is a teacher of high standing. The Pro- 
fessor has prospered and now owns considerable property in this parish. 

» 
• * 

^ CHAS. GUTEKUNST, Bayou Chene.— The subject of this sketch was 

born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 14, 1848. His father, Jno. G. Gute- 

kunst, was a native of the province of Wurtemberg. He was born 1820 ; and 

gave his chief attention to his milling interests in this province. He enlisted as 

a soldier during the French Revolution of '48, and fell in one of the battles. 

The mother of our subject, Fredrica Gans, was also a native of Wurtemberg, 

where she now resides. The whole family are Lutheran in religion. 

Charles Gutekunst is one of a family of two children. His father died 
before he was born. Young Charles was reared and educated in Germany. 
He is a graduate of Heidenheim College, receiving his diploma in 1868. While 
in college he gave special attention to the study of civil engineering, in which 
he has become practically proficient. 

Believing that the New World offered better inducement to a young man, 
and more scope for the exercise of his ambition, Charles emigrated to America 
in 1870. He located in St. Martin parish, Louisiana, where he soon found 
profitable employment. He entered the timber industry, in which he has since 
been more or less interested. Since 1878 he has devoted considefable of his 
time to civil engineering. He was elected justice of the peace in 1882. He is 
also a member of the poHce jury from this ward. Many beneficent measures 
owe their origin to his efforts as a representative of the people's interests. 

In March, 1874, Mr. Gutekunst married Miss Eloise J. Mendoza, a de- 
scendant of an old Spanish famil}'. She is a native of Louisiana, and the 
daughter of Jos. and Mary Mendoza, who are now residents of St. Mary 



332 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

parish. To this marriage have been born three children, one son and two 
daughters, to-wit : Octave Orto, Charlotte and Laura. 

Mr. Gutekunst has prospered, and owns considerable property in this 

parish. , 

« • 

^ CHAS. GUERINIERE, St. Martinville.— Chas. Gueriniere, a planter 
of St. Martin parish, was born in St. Martinville, January 21, 1848. He is 
the son of Chas. and Hersilie (Delahoussaye) Gueriniere, both of whom are 
natives of St. Martin parish. Chas. Gueriniere, Sr., was a planter and miller 
by occupation. He died in 1883. His wife died in 1856. 

The subject of this sketch received his schooling in his native parish. 
When only fourteen years of age Mr. Gueriniere enlisted in the Confederate 
service, and served two years. He began business for himself as a merchant 
and miller, in which occupations he has been chiefly engaged ever since. In 
1876 Mr. Gueriniere was elected sheriff of St. Martin parish, and was reelected 
in 1878. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Pearl Oliver, a native of St. Mar- 
tin parish, and daughter of Chas. O. and Elodie (Mouton) Oliver. To them 
have been born seven children: Elodie, Hersilie, Charles, Oliver, Pearl, Laure, 
Blanche and Gaston. Mr. Gueriniere has given his children good educational 
advantages. He and family are members of the Catholic church. 

» » 
^ EDWIN GUERINIERE, St. Martinville.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of St. Martinville, born in 1855. He is the son of Chas. and Her- 
silie (Delahoussaye) Gueriniere. 

Mr. Gueriniere received a liberal education. He is the manager of a large 
saw-mill, of this place, and is a progressive, thoroughly wide-awake business 
man He married, in 1874, Miss Darcin Bienvenu, of St. Martinville, the 
daughter of Numa Bienvenu, of St. Martinville. Mr. and Mrs. Gueriniere are 
the parents of four children: Adrinin, Edwin, James and Darcum. He and his 
family are members of the Catholic church at St. Martinville. 

» 
• « 

LEON F. GILLARD, Breaux Bridge. — Mr. Gillard was born in Rapides 
parish, Louisiana, January 5, 1837. He is the son of G. B. Gillard and Celes- 
tine Robin, natives of Louisiana. 

Leon F. Gillard at the age of nine years entered St. Charles College, Grand 
Coteau, where he pursued a course of study for a period of four years; after- 
ward pursuing a private course, until the age of eighteen, when he entered a 
general mercantile store at Washington, Louisiana, as a clerk. Here he re- 
mained for four years, when he removed to St. Martin parish and engaged in 
planting, in which he continued until the breaking out of the war, when he en- 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 333 

listed in the Confederate service, Company A, Fournet Battalion. On the or- 
ganization of the compan}' he was elected second lieutenant. After having served 
for a short period, he was discharged on account of ill health. After recruiting 
for awhile, he again volunteered in the cavalry service, and remained until the 
close of the war. After the war was over he resumed the operation of his plan- 
tation at this place. He now alternately gives his time to school teaching and 
the management of his plantation. 

Mr. Gillard is united in marriage with Miss Alzima David, of St. Martin 
parish. They are the parents of nine children. 

» 
» » 

ERNEST J. GILLARD, Arnaudville.— Ernest Gillard, a planter resid- 
ing near Arnaudville, is a native of St. Martin parish, and was born March i8, 
1837. His parents, Joseph B. Gillard and Celestine Robin, are natives of Lou- 
isiana, the former of Avoyelles and the latter of St. Landry parish. 

Ernest Gillard was attending school at St. Charles College when the war 
broke out, and he left school to enlist in the Confederate service. He enlisted 
as a private and was in the service for about fourteen months. After his return 
home he was engaged in the general mercantile business at this place. After 
having been engaged in this business for a short period he married Miss Aspasie, 
daughter of Valsin and Madeline Benard, of St. Martin parish. Since that time 
he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Gillard owns and controls a 
plantation of two hundred and twenty-five arpents of land, on which he raises a 
variety of crops. He has never taken any special part in politics, but is inter- 
ested in all public affairs. Mr. Gillard and wife are the parents of ten children. 

» 

* « 

^ G. ARISTA GUILBEAU, La Place.— Mr. Guilbeau was born in St. 
Martin parish December 28, 1858. He is a son of Alphonse Guilbeau and 
Ophelia Dugas, natives of Louisiana. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated principally in Lafayette 
parish, where he married Miss Mary Rose Bernard, daughter of Odile and Car- 
melite (Broussard) Bernard. After his marriage he removed to Breaux Bridge, 
St. Martin parish, where he resided for two years. Since that time he has 
devoted his attention to planting and merchandising, in which he has pros- 
pered. Mr. Guilbeau and wife are the parents of eight children, viz : Ophelia, 
Desamon, Mary, Rita, Carmene, Carmelite, G. Arista, Jr., Blanche. 

* 

* » 

JOHN GILLESPIE, St. Martinville.— Mr. Gillespie is a native of 
North Louisiana, born January i, 1856. He is a son of John Preston Gillespie, 
a native of Pennsylvania. John Preston Gillespie removed to Louisiana early in 



334 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

life, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He died from yellow fever 
in 1855. 

The subject of our sketch was one of a family of five children. He was 
reared in his native parish, and received his education in the Jesuit College of 
New Orleans. At the age of nineteen years he engaged in planting, and 
since that time he has given his attention exclusively to this business, in which 
he has been fairly successful. He was married, December20, 1881 , to Miss Marie 
Amelia Melancon of St. Martin parish. To them have been born two children, 
Marie Rose and M. Theresa. Mr. Gillespie and family are members of the 

Catholic church. , 

» » 

EDGARD HARDY, Arnaudville. — Mr. Hardy was born in St. Martin 
parish January 4, 1845. He is the son of J. J. Hardy and Ehza Broussard, the 
former a native of New Orleans and the latter of St. Martin parish. 

Young Edgard Hardy attended school in St. Martin parish until seventeen 
years of age, when he enlisted as a private in the Confederate service and served 
for a period of one year. Immediately upon his return home he married Miss 
ErminieLeBlanc, daughter of J. B. LeBlanc and Adrienne Guilbeau, now of St. 
Martin parish. Mr. Hardy is a planter and has alwa3's followed that vocation, 
in which he is successful. He and wife are the parents of nine children, four 
sons and five daughters, six of whom are living. Mrs. Hardy died July 29, 1890. 

» 
* • 

FREDERIC W. HART, M. D., St. Martinville.— Dr. Hart is a native 
of Canada and was born November 22, 1814. His father, Benjamin Hart, was 
also a Canadian and a prominent merchant of his province. He died in 1884. 
Our subject's mother, Harriet Hart, was a native of New York. To this union 
were born seven sons and seven daughters. 

Dr. Hart was reared and educated in Canada. He pursued a thorough 
classical and scientific course at McGill's College, of which institution he is a 
graduate. He studied medicine in Montreal, after leaving college, graduating 
in 1835. In 1836 he emigrated to the United States and located at Grand Gulf, 
Mississippi, where he remained two years. He subsequently removed to Yazoo 
county, and two years later to New Orleans, where he remained for nine years. 
Tiring of the constant labors connected with his professional duties, the Doctor 
purchased a plantation in Iberville parish and removed to that place, where he 
attended to his agricultural interests. In 1857 he went to Colorado and invested 
in the mining interests; remaining there for three years. Being a strong South- 
ern sympathizer, he moved to Mississippi and enlisted in the Confederate ser- 
vice, Regiment 6, Mississippi Cavalry. He was assigned to the staff of Gen. 
Witherspoon, and served with him until the close of the war. Since that time 
he has devoted his time and attention to his profession. The Doctor is the 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 335 

author of several essa3'S on difierent medical subjects which have been of much 
benefit to the profession. He has been thrice married and is now a widower. 



JAMES O. HALPHEN, St. Martinville.— James O. Halphen was 
born October 7, 1858. He is the son of Michael and Fanny D. (De La Croix) 
Halphen, both natives of Louisiana. Michael Halphen was born and reared in 
Natchitoches parish, Louisiana, where he resided until the time of his deau.. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of seven children, four sons 
and three daughters, four of whom are living, to-wit : Zalina, wife of Albert 
Gillaud ; James O., the subject, Dussnan and Zoe. 

James O. Halphen was educated in Paris, France. At the age of eighteen 
■years he accepted a position as steamboat clerk. This he followed for some 
time, and since then he has been engaged in various occupations. At the pres- 
ent time he is deputy sheriff of St. Martin parish. Mr. Halphen possesses 
superior business qualities, and has made a success of whatever he has under- 
taken. He was married, March, 1859, t*' Mary Zalina Chretien, of St. Mary 
parish, a daughter of D. and Ruth Chretien. Mrs. Halphen died May i, 1881, 
having become the mother of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, 
seven of whom are living; Francis, Ferdinand, Joseph O., Robert Albert, Mary 
Teresa, Fanny and Nolle. Those deceased are, Andrew, Achille and Zaline. 
Mr. Halphen married a second time. Miss Harmonia Fuise, of New Orleans. 
They are the parents of two children ; a son, Garbriel, and a daughter, Louise. 
Mr. Halphen and family are Catholics. 



■^ J. O. HALPHEN, Jr., St. Martinville.— J. O. Halphen, Jr., is a son 
of J. O. Halphen, whose sketch appears above. He was born in Opelousas, 
St. Landry parish, Louisiana, March 28, 1861. He received a fair education 
in early life and began business as a salesman in a general mercantile store at 
the age of sixteen, in which he was engaged for a short period. He has 
been engaged in various occupations since that time and is at present the 
constable and deputy sheriff of St. Martin parish. As a public official Mr. 
Halphen has been strictly attentive to the interests of the people and is a popular 
officer. 

He was married, January 9, 1885, to Miss Emilie DeBlanc, a daughter of 
Louis DeBlanc, of St. Martin parish. Mrs. Halphen is a highly educated lady 
and a graduate of the college of Mobile, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Halphen are 
the parents of three children, viz: James F., Conrad F., Fabio. The family 
are all members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Halphen is a Republi- 
can, though conservative in his views. 



336 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

JNO. ALFRED HITTER, St. Martinville.— The subject of this 
sketch was born in St. Martinville, November 4, 1848. His father, Sebastian 
Hitter, is a native of France. His ancestors were prominent in the French Rev- 
olution. He came to America in 1848. While on the journey across the ocean, 
cholera broke out among the passengers, and of the twenty-eight sufferers from 
this dreadful disease he was the only survivor. Shortly after his arrival in New 
Orleans he removed to St. Martin parish, where he now resides. Louise (Gei- 
ger) Hitter, the mother of our subject, was also a native of France, and ra«Jkved 
to Louisiana when a child. 

John A. Hitter was reared in St. Martin parish, and received his chief edu- 
cation at St. Martinville. At the age of sixteen years he accepted the position 
of salesman in a mercantile establishment in New Orleans, in which capacity he 
served four years, when he returned to St. Martinville and entered a mercantile 
business on his own account, in which he was engaged until 1882. In this, 
however, he was not successful, and he retired from busmess, embarking in 
other pursuits, which were attended with better success. He soon accumulated 
sufficient capital to put up a manufacturing and repairing establishment, where 
he manufactures and repairs buggies, harness, etc. 

On the 22d of September, 1873, he married Miss Marie Broussard, of St 
Martin parish. To them have been born six children: Josephine, Joseph, 
Louise, Celonine, Alphonse and Beatrice. Mr. Hitter and wife are members 
of the Catholic church. , 

ROBERT HUGHES IRVIN, St. Martinville.— Mr. Irvin is a native of 
Kentucky, born October 19, 1S69. His father. Col. Wm. J. Irvin, was a native 
of Ireland, though reared and educated in the United States. He was a gal- 
lant soldier in the Civil War, and was a colonel in the Sixth Indiana Regiment. 
He was severely wounded during sen'ice, from the effects of which he subse- 
quently died, December 3, 1875. R. H. Irvin's mother, Eliza O'Neil, was 
of Scotch parentage. She was reared in Louisville, Ky., where she married 
the subject's father in 1853. To them were born three sons and five daughters, 
of whom our subject is the third. He was reared and educated in Louisiana. 
He completed his education at St. John's College. After leaving school he took 
a course of civil engineering in Cincinnati, serving as an apprentice for five 
years. On the completion of his apprenticeship he became engineer fer the F. 
O. & I. M. Railroad, where he was engaged for the period of one year. Since 
that time he has been engaged on different roads, until recently, when he became 
identified with the timber business of this parish. 

Mr. Irvin is an ardent Democrat, and has figured prominently in the local 
politics of the parish. He was appointed census enumerator for the second 
ward, in St. Martin, parish, 1890. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 337 

JULES JEANMARD, Breaux Bridge. — Mr. Jeanmard was born in St. 
Martin parish January 15, 1840. He is the son of Francois and Eulalie (Artache) 
Jeanmard, the former a native of Italy and the latter of St. Martin parish, Lou- 
isiana. Francois Jeanmard removed to Louisiana when quite a 3^oung man, and 
resided here until the time of his death, in 1S64. His wife died in 1845. At 
the age of ten years Jules Jeanmard removed to Texas, where he remained until 
he was eighteen years of age. He received his education in the schools of 
Beaumont; during this tmie he alternately went to school and tended a stock 
farm. At the breaking out of the war he came to Louisiana and joined the De- 
clouet Guards, which was afterward attached to the New Orleans Guard Bat- 
talion. He was in the engagements at Shiloh and Vicksburg, where he was 
prostrated with measles and sent to the hospital at Jackson, Mississippi. Having 
recuperated he went to Camp Moore and received his discharge. Later he en- 
tered the Thirteenth Louisiana Regiment, Company A, and participated in the 
battles at Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. With his division he was ordered 
back to Vicksburg, where they were detained until the 4th of July, and re- 
ceived orders to return to Jackson, Mississippi. Here they were engaged in the 
ten days' bombardment. They were then dispatched to Mobile, Alabama, and 
attached to Longstreet's division to assist in the Tennessee campaign, and were 
in the retreat from Atlanta. At Jonesboro, Tennessee, Mr. Jeanmard was se- 
verely injured and sent to the hospital at Montgomery, Alabama. He was at 
home on a furlough when the war ended. He suffered a complete loss of 
property from the effects of the war and had to begin life anew. Shortly after 
the war was over he entered an employment as ferryman for the parish of St. 
Martin, for which he received five hundred dollars a year. He was subsequent- 
ly engaged in running a private ferry for a short period. He then removed to 
New Orleans, and was engaged in an ice factory there for one year, when he re- 
turned to St. Martin parish, and was there engaged as a mail carrier from 
Breaux Bridge to New Iberia. Shortly after this he began a mercantile business 
with his brother-in-law, C. C. Brown. In this they were not successful, and 
after conducting business for a short while dissolved partnership. He was assist- 
ed by Levi Loeb & Co., and our subject reopened a store in which he has been 
remarkably successful. He also owns a store in West Melville, St. Landry par- 
ish. Mr. Jeanmard is the father of six sons and three daughters, viz: Joseph R., 
Rosa, Charles, Frank, George, Jules, Jr., Anna, Henry. 

* • 
FRANK L. JEWELL, M. D., St. Martinville.— Dr. Jewell is a native 
of Louisiana, and was born in St. Landry parish January 16, 1839. He is the 
son of John M. Jewell, who was a native of Kentucky, reared and educated 
there, but removed to Louisiana when quite a young man. He located in St. 
Landry where he married our .subject's mother, Miss Clarissa Lewis, a native 



338 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

of this State and a member of one of the prominent families of St. Landry. The 
issue of this marriage was four children — two sons and two daughters. John 
M. Jewell was killed in 1845 in a duel fought with a man b}- the name of 
Marshal. 

The subject of this sketch left his parental roof at the age of about seven- 
teen and entered the Centenary College. He afterward studied medicine in 
the Medical College of New Orleans, Louisiana, from which institution he grad- 
uated with high honors in i860. Upon the completion of his course in medicine 
he began to practise his profession in St. Bernard, Louisiana, but not being sat- 
isfied with the location he removed after a few months to New Orleans, where he 
practised for eleven years. Tiring of his arduous professional duties, he re- 
moved from the cit}' and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits for two years. 
Not being as successful as he anticipated, he removed to New Iberia, where he 
resumed the practice of his profession. Twelve years later he removed to St. 
Martin parish, locating in the town of St. Martinville, where he now resides 
and practices his profession. 

The Doctor has been thrice married, his last wife being Mrs. Corinne Four- 
net, a native of St. Martin parish. 

Dr. Jewell is a gentleman of fine literary attainments and superior profes- 
sional ability. He has had a large amount of experience in his profession and 
enjoys the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has cast his lot. 

* 
* » 

Mrs. EDWIN KNIGHT, St. Martinville.— Mrs. Edwin Knight was 
born in St. Martinville, September 2, 1842. She is the daughter of George 
and Evelina (Armstrong) Foster. George Foster was a native of Boston, Mas- 
sachusetts, where he received his education. He was born April 22, 1818, and 
was the son of Thomas Foster, an early settler of Massachusetts. Evelina 
Armstrong Foster is a native of St. Martinville, born July 20, 1820. She is the 
daughter of William and Agnes McCormick Armstrong. She is still alive, and 
makes her home with her daughter, the subject of this sketch. There were 
two children born to this marriage, both girls — Agnes, born October 17, 1839, 
and our subject. 

Mrs. Edwin Knight received her education at St. Martinville and Franklin, 
and has a fair knowledge of the English and French languages. She was married 
at the age of twenty-seven years to Edwin Knight, a native of St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, born December 27, 1844. His death occurred July 31, 1887. They were 
the parents of nine children, viz: George B., born Ma}' 17, 1870. Ella E., 
born June 17, 1871; Samuel R., born June 12, 1872; Percy, born February 4, 
1874; Mary A., born January 24, 1876, died November, 1882; Lizzie R., born 
August 24, 1877; Edwin R., born June 12, 1879; Isabella E., born November 
14, 1880; Lee, born August 25, 1882. 'George B., the oldest son, is a worthy 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 330 

young man just entering manhood, and has a good business (Education. He is 
at present engaged as salesman in a general store in East St. Martinville, where 
he was born and reared. By his upright and manly conduct he has obtained 
the confidence and respect of those with whom he has associated. He is full 

of energy and integrity. * 

* * 

Mrs. a. p. LASTRAPES, St. Martin Parish.— Mrs. A. P. Lastrapes, 
born December 30, 1859, is a native of St. Martm parish. She is the daughter 
of P. D. D. DeLaCroix and Rosa Dt. DeBlanc. 

Mrs. Lastrapes was reared in this parish. She entered the Convent of the 
Sacred Heart at New Orleans at an early age, where she remained for live years, 
after which she returned to her home and was shortly afterward married to 
Andre P. Lastrapes. They became the parents of one son, Andre. Her 
husband only lived two years after their marriage. Shortly after his death Mrs. 
Lastrapes was appointed post-mistress of LaPlace post-office, which position 
she has occupied since that tim'^, discharging the duties with eminent satisfac- 
tion. She also teaches a private school at this place. 

» 

^ W. H. LIVINGSTON, St. Martinville.— Mr. Livingston was born in 
St. Martin parish in 1854 ^""^ ''^ '^^ ^°" °^ George and Caroline Livingston. 
George Livingston was a native of Ewson, Indiana; born 1829 and died 1864. 
He moved to Louisiana in 1844 and was engaged in what is known as " swamp- 
ing, " or getting out cypress from the swamps of St. Martin parish. He enlisted 
in the Confederate army in 1862 and served for two years, but owing to physi- 
cal inability he was discharged. 

The subject of this sketch received a limited education and has been en- 
gaged in the timber business from the time of his boyhood until 1890, when he 
began a mercantile business in St. Martinville. He was married in 1887 to Miss 
Louise Cozine. To this union have been born six children, viz: George H., 
Percy M., Charles G., Lilian, John E., William E. Mr. Livingston is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal church. * 

"^ THEOBALD J. LABBE, St. Martinville. — Mr. Labbe, a prominent 
young business man of St. Martinville, was born in St. Martin parish, Novem- 
ber 6, 1867. His father, Arthur Labbe, is a native of St. Martin parish. He 
was born near St. Martinville about 1845, where he has since made his home. 
For many years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising. 
The mother of our subject is a native of the Island of Martinique. She came 
to Louisiana while a child, where she was united in marriage with our subject's 
father in 1866. They are the parents of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, six of whom are living. 
21a 



340 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

The subject of our sketch is the oldest of the family. He received the best 
educational advantages the schools of the parish afforded and entered the 
State University of Baton Rouge, but on account of ill health he was compelled 
to leave college before having completed his course of stud}'. After leavin"' 
school he devoted himself to the study of pharmac}' at the National Institute of 
Pharmac}' at Chicago. Two years later he passed his examination before the 
State Pharmaceutical Board of Alabama, there being no examining board of 
pharmac}- in Louisiana at that time. He entered the drug business in associa- 
tion with his father at about the time he began the stud}^ of pharmac}'. The 
business, under the firm st3'le of Labbe & Son, was continued for two 5-ears : at 
the expiration of which our subject purchased his father's interest and became 
the sole owner and proprietor of the business. He has the leading drug business 
of the place. Mr. Labbe has also taken a thorough course in stenography, and 
hopes to be able to facilitate his business by its use. 

He married, May 24, 1889, Miss Corinne Fleming, a native of St. Martin 
parish, the daughter of August and Alice (Broussard) Fleming. 

Both Mr. Labbe and wife are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. 
Labbe is a member of the Knights of Honor, and has occupied the office of 
dictator of the lodi-e. 



^ S. V. MARTIN, St. Martinville. — There are few families of St. Martin 
parish that occupv a higher social standing than the Martin famil)-. The subject 
of this sketch is a son of Placide Martin and Eroisie Bernard, both natives of 
St. Martin parish. Placide Martin was a successful sugar planter of St. Martin 
parish in the earlier days of that industry. Both he and wife were of French 
descent and members of the Catholic church. Mr. Martin died from injuries 
received irom being thrown from a horse in 1846. Mrs. Martin died in 1832. 
Three sons and one daughter were born to tiiis union. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated near the home of his 
birth. He was married early in life to Miss Celima DeBlanc, the daughter of 
Aspasie Caslille and Derneville DeBlanc, one of the prominent families of St. 
Martin parish. Mr. Martin and wife are the parents of nine children, viz: 
Louise, who is the mother superior at the convent at Charenton, Louisi- 
ana, Agnes, Robert, Marie, Aspasie, Bertha, Lucie. Philomene and Joseph. 
Mr. Martin is by occupation a civil engineer, and to this profession he has 
devoted most of his life and made a success of it. He has been parish survej'or 
for twenty years and is the present parish 'assessor. He and his family are 
Catholics. All his children have received a classical education in academies of 
Louisiana. The last son, Joseph, is now at Georgetown College, Washington, 
D. C. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 341 

F. R. MARTIN, M. D., Breaux Brid(;e.— Dr. F. R. Martin is a native 
of St. Martin parish, born June 15, 1859. ^^^ ^® '''^ ^^"^ °^ Omer and Elise 
(Estilette) Martin. Omer Martin was a native of St. Martin parish, born in 
1832. He is the son of Placide Martin. Elise Estilette is also a native of this 
parish, and was born in 1S36. She is the daughter of Alexander Estilette. a 
native of St. Landrj- parish. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, seven of 
whom are living, viz: Dr. William Martin, of Arnaudville ; Francis R. Martin, 
Dr. George A. Martin, of Breaux Bridge ; Joseph A. Martin, student at Louisi- 
ana State Agricultural and Mechanical College ; Eva Martin, Theolinde,Juanita, 
student at the Mount Carmel Convent at Lafa3'ette, Louisiana. His father hav- 
ing lost nearl}' everything from the war. Dr. Martin was thrown on his own 
resources for obtaining an education. He attended the common schools at Breaux 
Bridge until the age of twelve j'ears when he engaged as a workman in the 
fields until he secured sufficient means to attend college. He pursued a ht- 
erarv course at Hiwasse College, Tennessee, from which institution he graduated 
in 1878 with the degree of B. S. After leaving college he entered the office of 
Dr. N. Betournay, where he pursued the study of medicine for four years, when 
he entered the medical department of Tulane University, from which institution 
he graduated in 1885. Returning to Breaux Bridge, he immediately began the 
practice of medicine. He has succeeded, and he now has one of the largfist 
practices in this section. As a surgeon the Doctor has been especialh' success- 
ful, and lias performed many diflicult and intricate surgical operations. His 
practice extends over the parishes of St. Martin, Lafayette and St. Landry. 
Dr. Martin is a close thinker and a hard student; he has a fine library and 
keeps well posted on everything pertaining to his profession. Subsequent to 
1886 Dr. Martin was engaged in the drug business in partnership with A. 
H. Vander Cruyssen until recently. The Doctor is now associated with his 
brother in the business. Though Dr. Martin gives his chief time to his profes- 
sional work, he is also interested in all the affairs of this section and is a leading 
citizen. The Doctor owns a plantation located east of Breaux Bridge, which is 
cultivated in cotton. He also owns a sugar plantation and stock farm near this 
place. 

He has been president of the Literar}- and Gymnastic Association since its 
organization. He is also president of the Breaux Bridge Turf Association, 
which was organized in 1889. He is the local president of the Columbus, 
Georgia, Building and Loan Association. He is a member of the Attakapas 
Medical Association, and is the parish correspondent for the experimental sta- 
tion at Baton Rouge. He is also a member of tlie Public School Board of St. 
Martin, appointed by Governor Nicholls. In October, 1878, Dr. Martin mar- 
ried Miss Constance Thibodeau, daughter of Hypolite and Elise (Zeringue) 



342 SOUrj/WEST L OCJSIA.YA : 

Thibodeau, of St. Martin parish. The}' are the parents of five children, viz: 
Joseph Aimes, Anna, Lewis, Francis, George (deceased). The Doctor and 
his family are members of the Catholic church. 

CYP. MfiLANCON, Breaux Bridge.— Mr. Melancon is a native of St. 
Martin parish, born in 1832. He is the son of Marcelin and Scholastic (Guidry) 
Melancon, who were both natives of St. Martin parish. 

C. Melancon is one of a family of sixteen children, seven of whom are now 
living. He began planting at the age of twenty-one years, in which he was en- 
gaged until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Confederate army and 
served until the latter part of 1864, when he was discharged as unfit for duty on 
account of ill health. After recovering he again enlisted in the service for about 
six months, when his health gave way, and he was again discharged. January, 
1866, Mr. Melancon opened a mercantile business at Breaux Bridge, beginning 
with a small capital; he has since increased his business until he now carries a 
large stock and does a good business. He carries a general stock of merchan- 
dise, and deals in cotton extensively. He also owns four plantations in this par- 
ish, aggregating about eight hundred acres, upon which he raises cotton and 
corn. In politics Mr. Melancon is a Democrat, though not partisan. In 1S66 
he filled the office of constable, and was afterward post-master at Breaux Bridge 
eighteen years, and since that time has refused to accept public positions. He 
was married in 1853 to Miss Fclicie Broussard, .daughter of Sasthine and Mar- 
celite (Begnaud) Broussard. Two children, a son and a daughter, are the re- 
sult of this union. , 

* » 

JOS. MALONSO, St. Martin Parish.— Mr. Malonso is a native of St. 
Martin parish, born in 1841. He had very poor educational advantages as a 
boy, and, consequently, his literar}- education is limited. He is a successful 
planter of St. Martin parish, owning a good plantation near St. Martinsville. 

Mr. Malonso is united in marriage with Miss Emilice Savoy, a native of St. 
Martin parish. They are the parents of six children. Mr. Malonso and 
family are consistent members of the Catholic church. 

» * 
^ JULES J. MOUTON, Cade.— Mr. Mouton was born in Lafayette 
parish in 1857. He is the son of Eraste and Corinne Mouton, natives of Lafa- 
yette and St. Landry parishes, respective!)'. Eraste Mouton was an attorney of 
Lafayette parish, and served for a period as judge of the Sixteenth Judicial 
District, embracing the parishes of Lafayette, Vermilion and Calcasieu. He 
also edited for a time a newspaper in Lafayette. He was one of the most 
prominent men of the place. During the Civil War he served as captain of his 
company. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 343 

The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, and early in life 
engaged in a mercantile business, and lately has undertaken planting. He 
was married in 18S4 to Widow F. Oliver, a native of St. Martin parish. The)- 
are tlie parents of four living children, viz : Alice, Anna, Pauline and Daniel. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mouton are communicants of the Catholic church of St. 
Martinville. , 

H. M. NIBLETT, M. D.. Biieaux Bkidge.— Dr. Niblett was born in 
Petersburg. Virginia, in 183S. He is the son of Dr. Sttrling Niblett and Anne 
(McFarland) Niblett, both natives of Virginia. Dr. Sterling Niblett was 
prominent in political affairs of the State, though he never held an office. Prior 
to his death he had accumulated an immense fortune of over a million of dollars. 
He was interested in many of the banks of Louisiana before the war. Profes- 
sionally he was one of the most distinguished surgeons in the State. 

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of eight children, viz : William, 
Robert, Sterling, James, Collins, Norman and Nannie, of whom the Doctor is 
the sixth in order of birth. He received his primar}^ education in the schools of 
his native count}'. At the age of eighteen he entered the University of Vir- 
ginia, where he remained four \-ears. Three years of this time he devoted to 
literar}' studies, and the fourth year to the studj' of medicine. He subsequently 
attended the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia and graduated from there 
in 1861. The same year he enlisted in the Confederate service as assistant sur- 
geon of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry. With this division he was in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Five Forks and many others. He was twice 
wounded. Three days before the surrender he was taken prisoner and sent to 
Washington, where he was kept for about a month, when he was sent to John- 
ston Island, where, after being confined for five weeks, he was paroled. 
After the war he returned to \'irginia, where he practised his profession until 
1868. He then removed to St. Martin parish, where he took charge of his 
father's plantation near this place, and on the death of his father he became heir 
to 1200 acres of valuable land. Since that time he has devoted his chief atten- 
tion to planting and stock raising. His plantation is well improved and he has a 
large sugar mill, which manufactures a capacity of ten hogsheads of sugar a day. 
Dr. Niblett was married in 1870 to Miss Annie Wilkins, daughter of Benjamin 
Wilkins, a noted physician of Virginia, and Sadie Overton. 

* 
* * 

^ P. D. OLIVIER. M. D., St. Martinville.— Dr. Olivier was born in 
Lafayette parish November 26. 1840. His father was a native of the same 
place and was for many years recorder of the parish. He filled with distinction 
the office of parish judge for nearl}' six years. He was also sent to the Legis- 
lature from St. Martin parish. His name is well and favorably known. Our 



344 SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

subject's mother was Miss Amyntha Berard, is a native of St. Martin parisii, 
where she now resides and has spent most of her useful hfe. 

Dr. Olivier was one of a family of ten children. He was educated at St. 
Charles College, Grand Coteau. At the age of nineteen 3-ears he determined 
to study dentistry and went to the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, 
where he graduated in iS6i. Soon after his return he enlisted in Company C, 
Eighth Louisiana Regiment. He was with the Hayes Brigade and under Stone- 
wall Jackson's command. He was made lieutenant of his company and was in 
the most hotly contested engagements of the war, viz: Front Roj'al, first and 
second battles of Winchester, Cross Keys, Port Republic, Cold Harbor, Mal- 
vern Hill, both battles of Fredericksburg, second battle ot Bristow Station, 
Manassas, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Gett3-sburg. He was captured at Rap- 
pahannock, and consigned to Johnston Island and there endured all the hard- 
ships of prison life. In June, 1865, he was discharged, and, returning liome, 
found all that he had possessed lost. 

In 1S66 he married Miss Corinne Bossier, a native of St. Martin parish. 
She is the daughter of Diogene Bossier and Corralie Weber. Her parents are 
dead. The Doctor and his wife are the parents of six children — four sons and two 
daughters, viz: Eugene, George, Henry, Louise, Andre, Eliza. He and familj- 
are members of the Catholic church. In 1878-79 Dr. Olivier was tax collector 
of St. Martin parish. He is now engaged in' the improvement of the public 
schools, and the people of the place are indebted to him for the excellent condi- 
tion in which they are now in. ^ 

'' C. M. OLIVIER, Jr., Cadj;.— Mr. Olivier was born in this parish in 1851. 
He is the son of C. M. and Amanthe (Briard) Olivier. Both were natives of 
St. Martin parish. C. INI. Olivier was judge of the Sixteen Judicial District for 
several years before his death. He was a gentleman of culture and refinement. 
He died in 1876. His wife still survives him and is a resident of St. Martins- 
ville. They became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living. 

The subject of our sketch has devoted his full attention to planting, in which 
he has been quite successful, .and now owns a fertile plantation of over three 
hundred acres of land in St. Martin parish. He was married, in 1S79, '^° Miss 
Josephine Cormier, daughter of Nicholas and Emilie (Kedoux) Cormier. Tliey 
are the parents of two children, viz: Maurice and Amelie. Mr. Olivier and 

family are devoted Catholics. * 

* * 

FELIX Y. POWER, St. Martinville. — Mr. Power was born in New 
Orleans in 1862. He is the son of Philip and Mathilda Power, both natives of 
New Orleans. Philip Power is in the tax and mortgage department at New Or- 
leans. He is also clerk of the court in that city. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 345 

The subject of our sketch was educated in the pubhc schools of New Or- 
leans, and was prepared to enter the graduating class when he left school to be- 
gin busness. He began life as a merchant, in which business he has since been 
principally engaged. He now conducts a good mercantile business in St. Mar- 
tinsville. Mr. Power was married in 1888 to Miss Louise Durand, daughter 
of O. J. and Felicie Durand. Mr. Power and wife are members of the Catho- 
lic church at St. Martinville. ^ 

* * 

^ CHAS. POTIER, Jr., St. Martinville. — Mr. Potier is a native of St. 
Martin parish, born August 25, 1828. He is the son of Charles and Marcelete 
Potier, both of whom are natives of this parish. At the age of eighteen years 
Mr. Potier entered a private school, where he pursued a four years' course of 
study, upon the completion of which he engaged with his father in phmting until ■ 
the latter's death, after which event he managed the estate for twenty-five years. 
In 1876 he bought a tract of two hundred and forty acres, one hundred and 
eighty of which is under cultivation, and has since given his attention to its op- 
eration. He raises corn, cotton, potatoes and cane. His plantation is a pro- 
ductive one and yields him a good income. 

Mr. Potier was married, 1855, to Miss A. Berard, a native of St. Martin 
parish, born 1S39. ^^^ '^ '^ daughter or Hjpolite and Canence (Barras) Be- 
rard, both of whom are natives of St. Martin parish. To this union have been 
born nine children, five sons and four daughters, Clemence, Benjamin, Hypo- 
lite (deceased), Cecile, Corinne, Lora, Laurent, Rene and Charles. Mr. Potier 
served in the latter j-ear of the war as sergeant under Captain Holland Hayes, 
in the Foiirnet Battalion. 

* * 

^ J. ROUSSEAU, Breaux Bridge. — Mr. Rousseau is a merchant of this 
place, born in 1847. His parents, Jules and Felician (Martin) Rousseau, are 
both natives of St. Martin parish, Louisiana. Our subject is the eldest of two 
sons born to this union. He received his education at St. Charles College, 
which he entered at the age of twelve years, and remained until 1864, when he 
left school and enlisted in the Seventh Louisiana Cavalry, remaining until the 
close of the war. After the war he engaged as a clerk in St. Martin parish for 
about two years, when he removed to New Orleans and was employed in a 
wholesale shoe store for a similar period. Returning to St. Martin parish he 
opened a store in partnership with M. Boudier, in which business he was 
engaged for about six years. From 1874 ^^ 1880 he was engaged in the sugar 
industry. In 1880 he again engaged in merchandising, in which he has pros- 
pered. Mr. Rousseau married, February 12, 1877, Miss Clemence Buillard, a 
native of St. Martin parish. They are the parents of seven children, four 
boj'S and three girls, viz: Joseph Jules, Gaston Laurent, Henry Gabriel, Joseph, 



34C SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

Jean Martin, Marie, Anna and Agnes. Mr. Rousseau, in 1884, was appointed 
parish treasurer, which office he still holds. He is treasurer of the Breaux 
Bridge Turf Association, also treasurer and secretary of the Literary and 
Dramatic x^ssociation. He is secretary of the local branch of the Columbus, 
Georgia, Building and Loan Association. He and family are Catholics. 

* * 

J. A. RESEWEBER, St. Martinville. — J. A. Reseweber was born 
in New Orleans in 1849. He is the son of Antoine and Mary Reseweber, both 
natives of France. 

Mr. Reseweber received a fair education ana commenced business as a 
merchant, in which he has been occupied during the whole of his business life. 
He is at present doing a good mercantile business, and owns about one hundred 
and twenty-five acres of land, on which he raises principally cotton and corn. 
He was married, in 1876, to Miss Nativa Lasseigne, of St. Martin parish. To 
this union have been born seven children. 

» * 
^ ADRIEN F. ROY, Arnaudville. — The subject of this sketch is a native 
of St. Martin parish, born June 27, i860. He is the son of Ceprien Roy and 
Adolphena Guilbeau, both of whom are natives of this parish. 

i\drien F. Roy was reared in St. Martin parish, and at the age of filteen 
entered a private school, which he attended for a period of two years, when he 
began planting. He owns a good little plantation, where he raises corn and 
cotton chiefl}-. 

He was married, in 1883, to Azema Trahan, a native of St. Martin parish. 
To this union have been born one son and three daughters, Adolphine, Ema- 
rant, Louis and Bettina. * 

^ A. D ROY, Arnaudville. — Mr. Roy is a native of St. INLirtin parish, 
born July 6, 1862. He is the son of Alexander Roy and A. Bernard, the 
former a native of St. Martin parish, the latter of Lafayette. Alexander died in 
1873: his wife in 1867. Thus left an orphan at an earl}- age, young A. D. Ro}- 
was thrown upon his own resources. After his father's death he lived with his 
uncle, with whom he remained five years, when he engaged as clerk in a mer- 
cantile establishment at Arnaudville, Louisiana, where he remained three years. 
While there he improved the plantation which had been left him by his father 
and superintended its operation. Since this time he has been entirely engaged 
in agriculturtU pursuits. 

Mr. Roy is united in marriage with Miss Kidder, the daughter of A. Kidder 
and O. Bergeron, both of whom are natives of this parish. To them have been 
born three sons and one daughter. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 347 

Mr. Roy has prospered in his agricultural pursuits and now possesses 
six hundred arpents of land, a good portion of which is under a high state of 
cultivation. 101890 Mr. Roy was appointed police juror from the fifth ward 
and is at present the incumbent of the position. 

* * 
^ R. N. ST. GERMAIN, Breaux Bridge. — The subject of this sketch was 
born in St. Martin parish, 185 1. He is the son of Chas. P. and Aurelie (Gau- 
thier) St. Germain, the former a native of France, born 1814; the latter of St. 
Martin parish, born 1833. Chas. P. St. Germain was a merchant in St. Mar- 
tinsville, where he had removed when young. He was engaged in business at 
this place for thirty-five years prior to the time of his death, in 1878. His widow 
still survives him. 

R. N. St. Germain is one of a family of three children, all of whom are liv- 
ing. He was educated in St. Martinsville, and began business life at the age of 
seventeen as a clerk in liis father's store. Here he remained for two years, 
when he took charge of his father's sugar plantation, and continued to control 
it for about five years. 

December 9, 1873, he married Miss Corinne Ledoux, daughter of August 
and Annis (Begnaud) Ledoux, of this parish. After retiring from his sugar in- 
dustry, Mr. St. Germain was on the road for about a \ ear as commercial tourist. 
After the death of his father, 1878, he took charge of his mercantile business, 
in which he continued till 1883, since which time he has been a cotton planter. 
He has also in charge a cotton gin, and will gin this season (1890-91) about one 
thousand bales. He has a good plantation of about one hundred and forty 
acres. In 1888 Mr. St. Germain was appointed police juror fiom the fourth 
ward of St. Martin parish and now serves in that capacit}-. 



J. A. SCHLESINGER, Breaux Bridge.— Mr. Schlesinger is a native of 
St. Martin parish, born January 29, 1852. He is the son of Edward and 
Adveline Schlesinger, the former a native of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, 
born 1809, the latter a native of St. Martin parish, born 1822. Edward 
Schlesinger was a school teacher in Louisiana and Texas for man}' \'ears; he 
now resides in New Orleans. 

The subject of this sketch received his early education in New Orleans. 
At the age of seventeen years he accepted a position in the custom house, where 
he remained for a period of seven years. Since that time he has taught school 
in the parishes of Orleans, Vermilion, St. Tamman}' andSt. Martin. He married, 
June 14, 1873, Miss Agatha Navarro. To this union were born four children, 
three of whom are now living, viz: Edward Albert, Frank T., Charles Louis. 
In January, 1886, he married Miss Mathilde Palonabo, of Vermilion parish. 



348 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

They are the parents of two children, viz: Frederic and Charles. In 1867, 
Mr. Schlesinger was appointed United States cotton weigher, which position he 
held for eighteen months. In 1S70-71 he held the position of deputy collector 
and inspector of customs at Calcasieu parish. During the year 1872 he served 
as deput}' coroner. In 1877 he was appointed justice of the peace of Plaquemine 
parish, and in 1881 was post-master at Pilot Town in the same parish. Since 
that time he has been teaching school. 

* * 

GEO. SILLAN, St. Martinville. — Mr. Sillan is of French nativity. 
He was born in Paris in i860, and is the son of Emile Sillan, one of the pioneers 
of Southwest Louisiana. At the age of thirtj'-five Emile Sillan emigrated to 
Louisiana and located in the parish of St. Mary, where for many years he was 
engaged in the sugar industrj^ He is now a resident of Baldwin, St, Mary par- 
ish. The subject's mother, Zeido (Sorrell) Sillan, is a native of St. Mar}' par- 
ish, Louisiana, and is of French extraction. She became the mother of three 
children, two sons and one daughter. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Paris, France. His 
early educational advantages were good. He graduated from one of the best 
schools of Paris. He removed with his father to Louisiana at the age of twenty- 
eight, and began the publication of the Reveille, a weekly Democratic newspaper, 
at St. Martinville. The paper is published in French, and has a good local 
circulation. ^ 

^ WILLIAM D. TxALLEY, Breaux Bridge.— Mr. Talley is a native of St. 
Martin parish, and was born October 3, 1827. He is the son of John and 
Mary (Hartach) Talley, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of 
Havana. 

William D. Talley was reared in St. Martin parish, where he received an 
excellent education in the French language. He has since acquired a good 
English education and speaks it in preference to his native tongue. Mr. 
Talley began the mercantile business at the age of twenty-one years, on the 
Atchafalaya river, in this parish, in which he was engaged for about nine years. 
He then engaged in cutting and selling timber from the swamps for about ten 
years. Since that time he has devoted his full attention to planting. His plan- 
tation is six miles northeast of Breaux Bridge, and consists of one hundred and 
fifty-six acres of valuable land, upon which he raises cotton and cane. In 1861 
Mr. Talley enlisted in the Confederate service, and served in the engineer 
corps until the close of the war. He was in the batdes of Fort Bisland, Fort 
Donelson, Mansfield, Yellow Bayou and Bayou Fordoche. Mr. Talley has 
twice married. January 19, 1S49, he married Miss Anais Guilbeau. They be- 
came the parents of four children, viz: Gideon, John, Mary and Hyacinth. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 349 

Mrs. Talle}' died in 1863, and Mr. Talley married the second time, Miss Mary 
Hill, of West Baton Rouge. They are the parent's of two sons and four 
daughters, viz: Julia, Ida, Ahda, Emma, Wilfred and David. 

"^ VALERY THIBODEAU, Bre.\ux Bridge.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of St. Martin parish, born October 20, 1828. He is the son of Nar- 
cisse Thibodeau and Lucy Potier, both natives of St. Martin parish. As a boy- 
he attended the public schools of this parish and afterward attended a private 
school at Breaux Bridge for about two j-ears. He began life as a planter, 
first on his father's plantation and subsequently on a plantation which he pur- 
chased himself. Mr. Thibodeau owns a plantation of about three hundred and 
twenty acres of land upon which he raises chiefly cotton and corn. He has also 
on his place a saw-mill which he has operated for many years. In i860 Mr. 
Thibodeau was elected justice of the peace and notar}- public of the fnurth ward, 
in which capacity he served for fourteen j'ears. In 1862 he enlisted in Companjr 
A, of the Fourteenth Louisiana Battalion, of which company he became lieu- 
tenant and after a 3'ear captain. He served until the close of the war. In 1852 
Mr. Thibodeau was married to Miss Emily Thibodeau, of St. Martin parish. 
She is the daughter of Treville Thibodeau and Aspasie LeBlanc. both of whom 
were natives of St. Martin parish. Treville Thibodeau was one of St. Martin's 
most successful planters and prominent citizens. 

^ COL. FELIX VOORHIES, St. Martinville.— Without a sketch of the 
Voorhies family, a history of Southwest Louisiana would be incomplete. Mem- 
bers of this family have figured prominently, not only in local affairs, but in the 
history of the nation. The family is of direct Holland ancestry, the first mem- 
ber in America, Corte Alberts Van Voor Hies, having been a native of Holland. 
He located in New Jersey about the year 1600. The latter part of the name, 
signifying " near the town of Hees," has only been retained by the descendants 
of this ancestor. Cortc Alberts Van Voor Hies was twice married ; first in Holland, 
and the second time in New Jersey. He became the father of ten children, 
most of whom were born in Holland. They located in different States of the 
Union, a son, Cornelius, becoming domiciled in Kentucky. He was the father 
of three children, of whom Cornelius, the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was one. 

Cornelius Voorhies was reared and received his education in Kentucky. 
He removed to St. Lar.dry parish, Louisiana, early in life, where he married 
Aimee Gradenigo,a descendant of the distinguished Gradenigo family of Venice. 
Cornelius Voorhies afterward removed to Avoyelles parish, where he served as 
sheriff and parish judge. He reared a family of six children, to-wit: William, 



3oO SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA : 

Cornelius, father of our subject; Clarissa, Horace F., Gradenigo P., and 
Eulalie. Cornelius Voorhies, the father of Felix Voorhies, was born in 1803, in 
Avoyelles parish. He received a limited education, and at an early age began 
the study of law in St. Martinsville, being admitted to the bar in 1825. He 
first located in Lafayette parish, where he practised for four or five years, when 
he located in St. Martinville, and devoted himself to his law practice for several 
years. He was elected district attorney, in which capacitj* he served for some time, 
and was afterward elected State Senator. Subsequent to this he served for a period 
as district judge, and in 1853 he was elected associate justice of the Supreme 
Court, in which position he served until within a short while before his death, 
August, 1859. Mr. Voorhies was noted for his firmness and the closeness with 
which he adhered to his principles. Further mention is made of him in the 
history of the bench and bar of St. Martin parish. 

Col. Felix Voorhies was educated at St. Charles College, Grand Coteau; 
Spring Hill, Alabama; and completed his studies at the Jesuits' College, New 
Orleans. He studied law in St. Martinville, and was admitted to the bar before 
the Supreme Court in Opelousas in 1S60, since which time he has practised in St. 
Martinville. Mr. Voorhies enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861 in Company 
C, Eighth Louisiana Regiment, and was assigned to duty in Virginia. He was 
in active service until the latter part of 1862, when he was discharged on account 
of disabilit}-. After recuperating he again entered service as captain of the 
Independent Cavahy Company' in the latter part of 1863, and was stationed in 
Louisiana for about a year. Later he was detailed to bureau duty. 

After the war Col. Voorhies returned home and resumed his law practice. 
In 1874 '^^ ^'^^ elected representative of St. Martin parish in the State Legisla- 
ture, and served one term. Col. Voorhies, as have been his ancestors, is an ar- 
dent Democrat, though he does not take an exceedingl}' prominent part in local 
affairs. Since his service in the Legislature he has never held any public office. 
The Colonel has devoted much of his leisure time to literature, and is a writer 
of recognized merit. He has written a number of comedies in French, some of 
which have received high commendation. His " Blanche Duvart." or "A Louisi- 
ana Romance," was reprinted in both Canada and France. Col. Voorhies has 
for many j'ears been a regular contributor to the leading French papers in the 
United States, and his "Louisiana Sketches" in the New York Independent 
have been widely read and admired. His " Reminiscences of an Old Acadian " 
is his onl\' attempt in English. Col. Voorhies has largely contributed to local 
papers, and was for four years editor of the Observer, now the Reveille, of St. 
Martinville. 

He was married in October, 1859, to Miss Modeste Potier, of St. Martin 
parish. To them have been born twelve children: Edward G., attorney, of La- 
fayette; Felix E., engineer and mechanic, of St. Martin parish; Dan. W., at 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 351 

torney, at St. Martinville ; Charles L., engineer and mechanic, of St. Martin- 
ville; Robert E., druggist, at Thibodeauxville; Albert P., who is at present a 
student in dentistry- ; Cecile, Paul E., Walter, Lucie, J. Sasthene and Modeste. 



L. C. VAUTIER, St. Martinville. — Mr. Vautier was born in New 
Orleans, October 6, 1867. He is the son of Charles and Louise (Klar) Vautier, 
both natives of Louisiana. Charles Vautier is engaged in the cotton trade in 
New Orleans. 

The subject of this sketch received a good business education, and began 
life as a planter in 1883, to which vocation he has since given his full time. He 
owns and controls a good plantation of about one hundred and sixty acres, in 
St. Martin parish, near St. Martinville, upon which he raises principally sugar 
cane. Mr. Vautier was married, in 1888, to Miss Bertha Bienvenu, of St. Mar- 
tinsville. He and wife are strict members of the Catholic church. 

* 

^ H. A. VANDERCRUYSSEN, Breaux Bridge.— The subject of this sketch 
is a native of Ghent, Belgium. He is the son of Licvinand Seraphin (Van de Putted 
Vander Cruj-ssen ; the former a native of Bruges, the latter, of Eecloo. Our 
subject was one of a family of twelve children, of whom four are now living: 
Luc}', Alphonse, Ida and himself, Mr. Vander Cruyssen's father was a prom- 
inent manufacturer of Ghent. He gave employment to a large number of men, 
and was prominent in political and social affairs. He was three times President 
of the Third Board of Elecdons of Ghent, and refused the position of Mayor 
of Hevst. At the time of his death, in 1875, he w.is very wealthy. His widow 
still survives, and resides in Ghent. 

The subject of this sketch is the only member of the family in America. 
He received his early education in Alost in the college of Freres des Ecoles 
Chreiennes. Subsequently he attended the Jesuit college of St. Barbe at 
Ghent, where he remained for some time, when he matriculated in the Academy 
of St. Luke at Ghent, a school of art and design, completing his studies with 
an architect (Van Assche) at Ghent. After his study of architecture, he was 
engaged as supervising architect and builder. He also made a special study 
of chemistry and drugs in the Ecole Industrielle, afterward serving with a 
druggist. Mr. Vander Cruyssen has been twice married. His first wife, Alice 
de Wulf, died two years after their marriage. In August, 1884, Mr. Vander 
Cruyssen came to New Orleans, and engaged in the drug business. Two years 
later, at the solicitation of Dr. Martin, he removed to Breaux Bridge, and enter- 
ing into partnership with the Doctor, has conducted the drug business of this 
place since that time. The Breaux Bridge Union being about to discontinue 
publication, Mr. Vander Cruyssen was solicited by the patrons of the paper to 



352 SOUTHWEST LOUIS/ANA. 

take charge, which he did in 1889. Under his management the paper, which 
is Democratic in sentiment, has increased twenty-five per cent, in circulation. 

In October, 1S88, Mr. Vander Cruyssen married a second time, Miss Con- 
stance, the eldest daughter ot Oliver Broussard, of St. Martin parish, born 
October 26, 1870. One child, Alice, is the result of this union. Iler death 
occurred in the year of her birth. 

Mr. Vander Cruyssen has never held public office, but has served his party 
in various ways and takes an active interest in all political affairs. He is one 
of the founders, and the first manager and director, of the literary and gymnastic 
association of Breaux Bridge, and is secretary of the Breaux Bridge brass 
band. He is also local agent of the Columbus, Georgia, Building & Loan 
Association. He and his wife are communicants of the St. ]3ernard Catholic 
church, of which Mr. Vander Cruyssen is organist. 

« 

* * 

v^ CHARLES H. VOORHIES, St. Martinville.— Mr. Voorhies is a native 
of Louisiana, born in the town of St. Martinville, in St. Martin parish. He is 
the son of Alfred Voorhies, who was also a native of St. Martinville, where he 
resided until the time of his death. His mother, Euphrosine (Olivier) Voorhies 
was born in St. Martinville, where she was reared and married. She is the 
daughter of Diflonville and Enoine Olivier. 

Charles Voorhies was reared in St. Martinville, where he obtained a com- 
mon school education. He began life at the age of fourteen years, as a manual 
laborer. In 1886 he was elected chief constable, which position he has held 
since. 

He married Miss Amelia Campbell, daughter of Levi and Almide (Landry) 
Campbell. She is a native of St. Martinville, and was born Ma}' 8, i860. Her 
mother is still living in St. Martinville. Her father has been dead for a number 
of years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Voorhies are the parents of three living children, viz: Erme, 
Charles, Birdie. In politics Mr. Voorhies is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Voorhies 
is descended from an old and highly honored family of the Acadian pioneers, 

and is proud of his descent. ^ 

* * 

PERLEY POORE Wx^RD, St. Martinville.— Prominent among the 
rising, thorough-going, business young men of St. Martin parish is the subject 
of this sketch. Mr. Ward is a native of Louisiana. He was born in East 
Feliciana, November 29, 1856. His father, Frederic W. Ward, was a native of 
New York, born iu Dutchess county, near the city of Poughkeepsie, about the 
year 1814. He removed to Louisiana in 1846. Here he spent the remainder of 
his daj'S. By occupation he was a merchant tailor. He prospered in his voca- 
tion, and at the breaking out of the Civil War he had accumulated considerable 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 



353 



property; but by the war he lost it all. He died August 15, 1876. Our sub- 
ject's mother was a native of Germany, though reared and educated in Amer- 
ica. She died in i860. 

The subject is one of six children. He at an early age, being thrown upon 
his own resources, entered the printing office of the Clinton Patriot-Democrat, 
where he remained for three years. His health failing he removed to Amite, 
Miss., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and school teaching alternately 
for a period of four years. February', 1866, he removed to Iberia parish, Lou- 
isiana, where he engaged in ihe timber business. Subsequentl}' he located in 
St. Martinsville, where he still conducts his timber interests. 



SASTHEN ZERINGUE, LaPlace.— The subject of this sketch is a na- 
tive of St. Martin parish and was born October 7, 1841. He is the son of Z. 
and Mar}' (Suderic) Zeringue, the former a native of St Landry parish and the 
latter of St. Martin parish, Louisiana: they are both deceased. 

Sasthen Zeringue had very limited educational advantages and at an early 
age began work on a plantation. After having attained his majority he began 
planting for himself, in which he has since continued with more or less success. 
He owns a plantation of about one hundred and fift}' acres in this parish, on 
which he raises cotton and corn chiefly. His land is fertile and his plantation is 
one of the best in this section. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Zeringue was 
united in marriage with Miss Clemence Guidry, a native of St. Martin parish, 
and daughter of Edmond and Joset (Sanier) Guidry. They are the parents of 
five children. 




^iJ'-J^J^ 



CHAPTER VI 11. 



PARISH OF ST. MARY. 



ALBERT C. ALLEN, Franklin.— Albert C. Allen was born in Frank- 
lin, Louisiana, 1847. His father, Wm. P. Allen, was a native of Tennessee, born 
in Gallatin, in 1806. He removed to St. Mary parish early in life and became 
an extensive contractor and builder. Many of the extensive sugar houses of 
St. Mary parish are his architecture He died in 1889. Our subject's mother, 
Caroline P. Nixon, was a native of Arkansas, born in Helena, 181S. She died 
December, 1879. 

Albert C. is the eighth of a family of nine children. He spent the years 
of his minority in Tennessee, and at the age of nineteen he entered the pro- 
fession of teacher in the common schools. He subsequently attended the law 
department of Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating there- 
from in 1871. He practised as an attorney in the Nineteenth Judicial District till 
he was elected judge in 1886. He was reelected in 1S88, and now fills that 
position. He was married in 1874 ^'^ Miss Katie E. Johnson, of Franklin, 
Louisiana. There have been born to their marriage six children, four sons and 

two daughters. * 

* * 

^ INDEPENDENCE ALPHA, Franklin, an old and estimable citizen of 
Franklin, was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 4, 1821. 

He is the son of P. and Claria (Cissna) Alpha. P. Alpha was born on the 
eastern shore of Maryland, 1780. They were married in 1820, and our subject 
is their third child in order of birth and the only one now living. Mr. Alpha 
was one of General Jackson's staff at the battle of New Orleans, 1S15. He also 
served as circuit judge, of Spencer county, Indiana, which appointment he 
received from Jackson while President of the United States. He held the 
position from 1830 until 1832, when he resigned to emigrate to Louisiana. 

Independence Alpha received a fair education in the common schools of 
his day. He was thrown upon his own resources at the age of eighteen years 
and immediately entered tlie office of the Franklin Republic, wiiere he served 
an apprenticeship as a tvpesetter. His fidelity to business soon placed him in 



358 SOCTZ/UESr LOUISIANA: 

charge ol llie journal, and in 1S40, on the death of Phil. Parrett, he practically 
assumed its control and held the position until 1844, when he removed to 
Mobile, Alabama, where he entered the trade of carpenter and builder, in which 
he remained three years. He linall}^ returned to Franklin and reentered the 
printing business, which he followed for a series of years. During the last few 
years, having retired from the publishing business, he opened a wagon shop, 
and this business now engages his attention. 

Independence Alpha was married in Franklin, 1842, to Miss Caroline C 
Campbell, of Franklin, Louisiana, and there were born to this marriage twelve 
children, nine of whom are now livinjj. 



V NARCISSE ALLEMAN. Centrevii.le. — Narcisse Alleman was born in 
Assumption parish. Louisiana. August 10, 1841. He is the son of Jean B. and 
Angelina (Trahan) Alleman, both natives of Assumption parish, Louisiana. 

Narcisse Alleman, at the age of fourteen years, entered the privates chools 
of his parish and pursued his studies for a period of two years, when he left the 
school room for the farm. He gave his attention to farming for several years, 
and at the age of twenty-four engaged in merchandising, in which he continued 
until 1875 at that place. That year he removed to Centre\ille, St. Mary parish, 

^where he again engaged in merchandising, in which he has continued until the 
present, and does a flourishing business. He carries a stock worth eight thous- 
and dollars and his annual sales are twent3'-five thousand dollars. The success 
which has attended Mr. Alleman is due to his business tact and judicious 
management. The comfortable circumstances which Mr. Alleman has attained 
is the result of his own efforts. 

He was married in 1865 to Miss Orela Simoneaux, daughter of Joseph A. 
and Angelina (Landry) Simoneaux, both of Assumption parish, Louisiana. 
They are the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, viz: Lawrence 
S., Robert, Alcee J., Lenesse J., Avella C Stella N., Laura S., Lucj' O., 
Corine E.. and Charles J. Lawrence S. and Robert are associated with their 
father in his mercantile interests in Centreville, while Lawrence S. is also 
interested with his father in a sugar plantation adjoining the above town. 

» » 

WILLIAM II. ADAMS, Baldwin.— William H. Adams, blacksmith and 
carriage maker, was born in Mississippi. He is the son of James A. and Mar- 
garet (Floyd) Adams, natives of South Carolina. 

Our subject grew to maturity in Mississippi, where he received his educa- 
tion. He learned tiie blacksmitli trade with his father, at which, on his own 
account, he worked for a number of years. He then left Mississippi, and made 



HISTORICAL AXI) BIOG RAPIl IC AL. 3o& 

a tour through eiglit ditterent States, alter which he located in the town of 
Baldwin, wliere he has since worked at his trade — bhicksmithing and carriage 
making, his being the only estabhshment of the kind in Baldwin March 24, 
1873, he married Julia Forbes, a native of Mississippi, born in 1854, '^"^ 
daughter of Jonathan Forbes. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have a family of four 
children: Minnie, Medora, William Albert and John Quincy. Our subject 
was at one time constable of Leberton, Mississippi, and held the position for 
the period of one vear. 

K * 

^ \V. S. BORAH, M. D., Baldwin.— Dr. W. S. Borah, of St. Mary parish. 
was born in Fairfield, Illinois, February 18, 1849. He is the son of William N. 
and Eliza (West^ Borah, who were also natives of Illinois. 

W. S. Borah was educated in the public schools until he reached the age 
of eighteen years, when he was sent to Michigan, where he attended a commer- 
cial college for a short period. He then returned to Illinois where he married 
Miss Martha Creighton, a daughter of John M. and Mar}' Ann (Crews) Creigh- 
ton, a native of Illinois, born June 22, 1851. Dr. Borah and wife became the 
parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, viz: Carrie Lee, Ernest 
L., Tom G., William C. Dr. Borah engaged in agricultural pursuits in Illinois 
lor a \ear but desiring to engage in commercial business of some character he 
.sold his farm and entered the grain business, which he follow-ed for three years 
but meeting witii heavy losses was obliged to retire from that pursuit. He then 
determined to study medicine, and for a year and a half read medicine under a 
preceptor and opened practice in Arkansas, where he met with excellent suc- 
cess for three vears, at the end of which time he emigrated to Louisiana, where 
he had long desired to make his home. He practiced medicine here and still 
has a very remunerative practice. When the Doctor came to Louisiana his 
circumstances were not affluent, but he now owns a drug store at Baldwin and 
carries a stock of six hundred dollars. He is also proprietor of a livery stable 
in which he has invested fifteen hundred dollars. In these two businesses he is 
in co-partnership with his brother. Dr. Borah is an energetic business man. 



PHILIP BODENHEIMER, Glencoe, partner, and manager of the firm 
of Bodenheimer & Bro., is a native of German}-, born November 24, 1865. 
He is the son of Lazarus and Therese (Mendelbaum) Bodenheimer, both na- 
tives of Germany. Philip Bodenheimer was reared in his native country, and at 
the age of five entered school, attending constantly until he had attained the age 
of sixteen years, when he left school and engaged as a clerk in a factory, in 
which he served for two years. Later he became traveling agent for this fac- 
tory, and was employed in this capacity for a similar length of time. In 1884 



SfU) SOCri/HJiS'/' L O/VS/AA'A : 

lie removed to New Orleans, where he was located for a period of five months. 
In 1885 he removed to Glencoe, St. Mar\' parish, and has since conducted suc- 
cessfully at that place a large mercantile business. Mr. Bodenheimer is a 
shrewd manager, and his business is continually growing. The firm carries a 
stock of about eight to ten thousand dollars, and does an annual business of 
forty thousand dollars. The firm is conducted in partnership with Mrs. B. Bo- 
denheimer, under the Hrni name of Bodenheimer & Bro. 



L^ J. M. BURGUIERES, Louisa. — Jules Martial Burguieres was born April 
17, 1850, in Terrebonne parish, Louisiana. He is the son of Eugene Dennis 
Burguieres and Marie M. Verret. Eugene D. Burguieres was born in Paris, 
France, and removed to Louisiana early in life, where he married in 1836. To 
his union three sons and four daughters were born: Ernest Dennis, Pauline 
Camila, Jacqueline Annette, Marquerite Annette, Jules M. and Lenfro}-. all of 
whom were reared in Terrebonne parish. Jules M. Burguieres attended private 
and public schools in Terrebonne parish, principally in Houma, and received a 
good business education. At the age of sixteen years he began work in the 
Clerk's office under the well known Herry Newell, one of Terrebonne's most 
honored citizens. Young Burguieres continued work in the clerk's, record- 
er's, and sheriff's offices of Terre'oonne parish until the year 1874, when he 
leased a plantation near Chacahoula, in Terrebonne parish, and embarked in 
planting. His crop was destroyed by the overflow of that year, and he suffered 
a loss of ^3.000. The same year he bought a half interest in a plantation on 
Bayou Cypremort, which a few years afterward he sold, and purchased Cjpre- 
mort plantation for $90,000, upon which he spent a large amount of money and 
made substantial improvements, among which was the erecting of a refiner^-, 
and five-rolier sugar mill of large capacit}'. In June, 1889, he bought Scalh' 
place, now known as Florence plantation. This plantation is one of the finest 
in the State, and its soil is of inexhaustible fertility. It was purchased at a cost 
of $80,900. The combined sugar capacity of Cypremort and Florence plantations 
amounted in 1890 to 3,300,000 pounds. Mr. Burguieres is the possessor of a 
comfortable fortune, which he has amassed by his own unaided efforts, not hav- 
ing inherited a dollar of propert}-, and constantly having to help others less for- 
tunate than himself in their business undertakings. Mr. Burguieres in the 
summer of 1890 employed the J. M. Ware Well Company to sink an artesian well 
on C3'premort plantation, which has proved an entire success. Our subject 
was married April 21, 1873, to Miss Marie Corinne Patout. They are the 
parents of eight living children, six sons and two daughters : J. P. Dennis, 
Joseph E., Marie Louise, Florence Clolhilde, Jules M., Jr.. Ernest I., 
Henrv S. and Charles Patout P)ur!'uieres. 



niSTORlCAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. :!(jl 

LENFROY BURGUIERES, Baldwin.— Lenfroy Burguieres was born in 
Louisiana, April 27, 1S52. He is tlie son of E. D. and M. M. (Verret) Bur- 
guieres, natives of France and Louisiana, respectively. 

Our subject was reared in Terrebonne parish, where he entered a private 
school at the age of twelve years, and remained until he had attained his 
majority, when he engaged in merchandising, which, however, he abandoned 
later, and turned his attention to planting. From Terrebonne parish he removed 
to St. Mary, and is still a resident of this place. By energy and industry Mr. 
Burguieres has achieved the highest success. His plantation consists of four 
hunih-ed and fifty acres of fine land, three hundred of them being under cultiva- 
tion. He raises principally corn and cane. That his plantation products might 
be more remunerative our subject erected a fine sugar house, which manufac- 
tures syrup and sugar. He was for seventeen months recorder of Terrebonne 
parish. He married, December 30, 1885, Elodie Bonin, a native of this parish, 
born August 5, 1843. 

O. D. BERWICK, Foster. — O. D. Berwick is a native of St. Mary par- 
ish, born in 1842. He is the son of David and Louise (Garrett) Berwick, both 
natives of this parish. David Berwick was an extensive planter and owned and 
conducted three plantations on Bayou Sale. He died in 1874, and his wife in 
1865. Joseph Berwick, father of David and grandfather of our subject, was the 
first settler in the vicinity of the bay which bears his name. 

O. D. Berwick is one of a family of nine children, four of whom are living, 
viz: Louisa, widow of Dr. S. Allen ; Oscar Dudley, our subject ; Addie, wife of 
N. K. Todd, Mary, wife of J. D. Capon. O. D. Berwick was educated in 
Hanover College, Virginia. In 1861 he entered St. Mary Cannoneers and 
served during the whole of the war in the department of Louisiana. After the 
he engaged in planting on the place where he now resides, he being among the 
very few planters who occupy the same plantation they did before the war. 
His place is located on Bayou Sale, six miles west of Foster. It consists of 
fifteen hundred acres of land, four hundred of which are under cultivation, the 
remainder being swamp land. He grows chiefly sugar cane, and averages two 
thousand pounds per acre. Its yield in 1890, was over three thousand pounds 
per acre. Mr. Berwick married, in 1866, Miss Virginia A. Dungan, of St. 
Mary parish ; she died in 1888, leaving eight children, six sons and two daugh- 
ters, viz: James D., Louis, Oscar D. Jr., Joseph W., Virginia, David, Walter 
and Edward. He is a member of the K. of H., and was police juror for two years, 
having been appointed by Gov. NichoUs. In 1889 he married, again. Miss Eve- 
line Dungan, daughter of Dr. Jas. B. Dungan, a prominent physician of this 
parish. 



0t!2 SOVrilWES-J- 1. ()( IS/ANA : 

DOLZE HODIN, Baldwin. — ^Dolzc Bodiii was born in Si. Maiy parish, 
Februaiy 4, 1832. He is the son of Gregoire and IVlagie (LeBlanc) Bodin, 
natives of Acadia and Lafayette, respectively- 

Our subject was reared in St. Mary parisli, attending schools in the neigli- 

borhood. At the age of fourteen he became an overseer, and for three years 

was engaged in that business. He married Celeste Langlinay, a native of St. 

Mary parish, born August 10, 1834, ^"'^' daugher of Alexander Langlinay. To 

this marriage five sons and three daughters have been born: Emma, Celestine, 

Jules O., John U., Esparie, Joseph B., Alexander and Gregoire. Our subject 

owns three hundred acres of land, one hundred and twenty-five of which are in 

cultivation, principally in corn, potatoes and sugar cane. On his place he has 

erected a four-foot, three-roller sugar mill. 

* 
* * 

'■^ EMILE BODIN, Cypremort. — Emile Bodin was born December i, 1834, 
in Vermilion parish. He is the son of Gregory and Pelagie (LeBlanc) Bodiii, 
the former a native of Acadia parish and the latter of Lafayette. 

Emile Bodin was reared in St. Mary parish, where he received a limited 
education in the common schools of that locality. Since beginning business life 
he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he still con- 
tinues. He was married to Miss Celestine Bourque, daughter of Jean T. and 
Josephine (Tebeau) Bourque, both natives of Vermihon parish. Mrs. Bodin 
died December, 1888, having become the mother of four sons and three 
daughters, viz: Emile, Jr., Naurbert, Celestine, Joseph, Desire, Cecelia, Albert. 
Josephine, wife of Arthur Prevost; they are the parents of five children, viz: 
Arthur. Celestine, Clara, Olivia (deceased), Eurcile. Mr. Bodin owns one 
thousand acres of land, two hundred being under cultivation, principal!}' in cot- 
ton and sugar cane. He lias a steam power roller mill on his place. 

JAMES B. BROWN, LorisA. — James B. Brown was born in Terrebonne 
parish, Louisiana, February 8, 1857. He is the son of Simon and Elmira 
(StoufHet) Brown. He was educated in tlie common schools of the parish and 
afterward in the University at Baton Rouge, where he was for a period of 
eighteen months State cadet. On leaving school he engaged as an overseer of a 
plantation and served in this capacity for different parties at various times. He was 
engaged in 1887 as overseer of the Ivanhoe plantation, south of Bayou Cypremort 
and north of C3'premort branch railroad, owned by Mrs. E. D. Burguieres. Upon 
this place Mr. Brown resides with his family. He was married in 1879 to Miss 
Bridget Burguieres, a native of St. Mary parish and daughter of Ernest D. Bur- 
guieres, of Lower Cypremort. The}' are the parents of three children, viz: 
Robert L., Joseph Clifford and James ^E., Jr. Mrs. Brown stands high as a 



His'roRn:AL and biograi'UIcal. ;5r,» 

planter and his success is due to tlie intelligent care whicli he pursues in grow- 
ing cane. , 

C. P. BINNINGS, Jr., Baldwin. — C. P. Binnings, Jr., was born in 
Thibodeaux, Louisiana, 1856. He is the son of C. P. and S. A. (Lawless) 
Binnings. C. P. Binnings, Sr.. was a native of London and his wife of 
Kentucky. He was a painter, and died in 1S72: his widow is living and resides 
in Thibodeaux. 

C. P. Binnings, Jr.. received a common school education when quiet young, 
and at the age of thirteen years he entered business on his own account by learning- 
sugar refining, and continued in this until 1878, when he engaged in planting in 
Iberville parish, where he remained for about four years. He then took charge of 
Capt. Nolan's plantation on Bayou Lafourche, where he remained for about a year 
and a half. Afterward he engaged in steamboating, and gave his attention to 
this in the summer and during the winter months boiled sugar. In September, 
1886, he took charge of the Des Lignes and Saule plantations, where he now 
resides. That year they made four hundred and fifty-one thousand pounds of 
sugar, and in 1890, on the same property, made three million seven hundred and 
fifty thousand pounds of sugar. Mr. Binnings was married, April, 1S90, to 
Mrs. Lily B. Hamilton (nee Sharp), a native of Ascension parisli. 

^ MILLARD BOSWORTII, Cvprkmort.— Millard Bosworth was born in 
New Orleans in 1850. His father, A. W. Bosworth, was a native of Maine, 
and his mother, Matilda Weir, was of English extraction, and was born in the 
West Indies. A. W. Bosworth was an ice manufacturer for a number of years. 
He served during the entire Civil War, starting out as a major of tlie Crescent 
Regiment: he was promoted to colonel, and, upon the death of General Mouton. 
was placed at the head of that command. He served as alderman in New Or- 
leans both before and after the war. He was vice president of the Mutual 
National Bank, of New Orleans. He died October 9, 1886, his widow sur- 
viving him two years. 

Millard Bosworth is the second son of a famil}- of five children: C. H., 
Millard, the subject, W. S., Emily, and Anna B. C. S. Bosworth occupies a 
position in the post-office in New Orleans. Millard Bosworth in his boyhood 
attended schools in New Orleans, and afterward was sent to college at Belle 
View, Virginia. Upon leaving college he was engaged as clerk, afterward 
entering the ice business. He married in 1875 Miss Lucy Moore, of New Or- 
leans. In 1876 Mr. Bosworth disposed of his ice business and became interested 
in sugar planting, purchasing Matilda plantation, which consists of seventeen 
hundred acres of land lying along the west bank of the Teche. Over one 
thousand of the seventeen hundred acres are susceptible of cultivation. He 



364 SOUTH WEST L O UISIANA : 

grows chiefly sugar cane. The soil on his place is very fertile and yields an 
average of three thousand pounds of sugar per acre. Mr. Bosworth's refiner}' 
is operated on the central system, and has a capacity of fifty thousand pounds of 
sugar per da}'. It uses the products of over forty different plantations. The 
refinery is equipped with large vacuum pans and first-class machinery through- 
out. The products of this refinery are classed as high as those of any other of 
the State. In his refinery as well as on his plantation, Mr. Bosworth is his own 
manager, and to this fact is due, no doubt, the superior results of his enterprises. 
Mr. Bosworth is not a politician in the sense that he desires public oflice. He 
was appointed police juror of the first ward in 1882, and has held the position 
ever since. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, a mutual 
benevolent association. He is the father of eight children, five sons and three 
daughters— RachaelW., Millard M., Nannie M., Mary W., Albert S.. Abel W., 
Charles A., Lawrence S. » 

M. BLOCK is a thrifty merchant of Franklin, Louisiana. He is the son 
of Isaac and Fannie (Tugenheim) Block. 

Isaac Block was born in France, 1799, and never came to America. He 
was by occupation a merchant. Fannie Block was born in France, 1793. 

Our subject received a fair elementary education in France, and after hav- 
ing left school and served as a clerk in mercantile business for a short period, 
he came to America, 1848. He landed at New Orleans and soon located in 
Franklin. His first experience here was as a clerk in a gents' furnishing goods 
store. He quit this business and went on the road as a peddler till 1856. He 
then opened business for himself at Berwick City, where he remained till the 
breaking out of the war, when he removed to New Orleans and remained till 
the war closed, when he removed to Franklin and opened business for himself, 
and in this still remains and has been highly successful. 

He was married in 1871 to Miss Annette Levy. Eight children were born 
to this marriage — six sons and two daughters. 

His wife is a native of France, but came to this country at the age ot four- 
teen years. ^ 

Z. T. COOK, Bkrwick. — Z. T. Cook was born in Louisiana, March 24, 
1848. He is the son of William H. and Marcelite (Hayes) Cook, the tormer 
a native of Tennessee and the latter of Louisiana. 

Z. T. Cook was reared in St. Mary parish, where, at the age of si.x years, 
he entered a private school, attending until he had reached the age of ten years, 
after which time he engaged in farming, which he has continued up to the 
present time. He was married in 1873 to Mrs. Aleda Salvo, a native of 
Louisiana, and daughter of A. J. Stansbury and Florence Boudreau. botk 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ?^<^h 

natives of this State. To this union eight children have been born, viz: Alden 
Andrew, Allen, Horace, Allison, Alonzo, Albert (deceased), Alfred and Z. T., 
the subject of this sketch. Mr. Cook operates the Glenwild plantation, which is 
located on the Teche, about six miles below Pattersonville, in St. Mary parish. 
It consists of six hundred acres, all of which are under cultivation, principally in 
cane and corn. The capacity of the mill is very great, one of the vacuum pans 
having a capacity for fifteen thousand pounds of sugar in six hours, and the 
other twelve thousand pounds in the same time. In 1890 they grew fifteen 
thousand tons of sugar cane, and three hundred thousand pounds of sugar. 



■^ LOUIS CALLERY, Glencoe. — Louis Gallery was born in St. Mar}- par- 
ish, Louisiana, March 14, 1861. He is the son of Gustave A. and Clara Emilie 
(Sigur) Callery, both of whom were natives of Iberville parish, Louisiana. Gus- 
tave Callery was born July 28, 1832. He is the son of Dulreil A. and Adele 
(Sigur) CallerV, the former a native of Paris, France, and the latter of Louis- 
iana. Gustave Callery was reared in Iberville parish and received his educa- 
tion in St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, and at Bardstown, Kentucky. 
Afterleaving school he returned to his home, and five years later he married our 
subject's mother. To this union were born five sons and one daughter, viz : 
G. Ambroise, died November 5, 1882; Louis Emile, the subject of this sketch ; 
Edward J., Charles H., John A., Bertha Rosa. Later in life Mr. Callery re- 
moved to St. Mary parish where he purchased a plantation of twenty-four hun- 
dred acres of land on Bayou Cypremort, upon which he erected a sugar mill and 
engaged in the sugar culture, in which he continued until recent years when he 
retired from business and placed the plantation under the control of his sons. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in St. Mary parish, where he re- 
ceived his primary education in the neighboring schools. Later he attended St. 
Charles College for six years. Afterleaving college Mr. Callery assumed charge 
as manager of his grandmother's plantation, which he at present conducts. The 
plantation consists of six hundred acres of land, which is cultivated chiefly in 
cane and corn. Mr. Callery was married September 18, 1S89, to Miss Mary 
Lambremont, a daughter of Dr. P. M. Lambremont. of Iberville parish. To 
this union a daughter has been born, Louise. 



JOHN T. DUNESNIL, Baldwin.— John T. Dunesnil was born in St. 
Mary parish, January 7, 1834. ^^ ^^ ^^*^ ^o" °f Theodore and Adele (Ten- 
hold) Dunesnil, the former a native of France and the latter of Lafourche parish. 

John T. Dunesnil was reared in St. Mary parish, and at the age of ten years 
he entered a private school and received a good education. He began business 
life as a planter, which he followed until 1886, when he engaged in the butcher 



:;(■,(; SOUT/JWESy L OUISIANA : 

business and followed it for four }'ears. He then engaged in planting and nier- 
cliandising for eight years and subsequently gave his whole attention to planting, 
lie owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred and thirt\' being 
under cultivation. He was married twice. His first wife was Miss Emma 
Butand, a native of St. Mary parish and daughter of Alexander and Emma Butand, 
natives of France. They were the parents of nine children. His first wife died 
after having been married twenty-two 3'ears, and our subject married the follow- 
ing year Mrs. A. Bernard, a sister of his former wife, and six years .subsequent 

to this she died. 

* 

ALEXANDER DOTY, Scai.i.ey. — Alexander Doty was born in the par- 
ish of St. Mary, September 24. 1835. He is the son of Robert Doty, who was 
also a native St. Mary parish, born about 1827. Robert Doty was a successful 
planter, and had accumulated quite a fortune at the time of his death in 1867. 
He served as a soldier through the entire Civil War, and two of his brothers fell in 
the battle of Port Hudson, one killed, the other mortalty wounded, and died soon 
after. 

Alexander Doty is one of a family of seven children, six of whom are living: 
Oscar, planter of St. Mary parish; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Hen- 
derson, planter of St. Mary parish ; Alice, wife of Abnel Dary ; Frank, and Mar}-, 
wife of Alfred Tonson. Alexander Doty was reared in St. Marj' parish and 
received a limited education in its schools. His father having died when our 
subject was but ten years of age, it became necessary for him to enter active 
business early in life. Thus thrown upon his own resources he became a 
laborer on the farm, and in this he has since continued. Mr. Doty has always 
used the greatest business tact in the management of his plantation, and has 
become one of the successful planters of his section. He and his brother own a 
good plantation, which they cultivate in cane and corn. The place is also well 
stocked. Mr. Dot\^ was married August 16, 1889, to Miss Anna Idell, of St. 
Marv parish. 

* * 

R. D. ETIE, Bai,ij\s'in. — R. D. Etie was born in New Iberia. April 8, 
1865. He is the son ot R. 1). and Leontine ( Broussard ) Etie, natives of Iberia 
parish. 

Our subject entered the schools of New Iberia at the age of twelve years, 
remaining two sessions. On leaving school he engaged in farming with his 
brother until 1884, wlien he matriculated in St. Stanislaus College, Mississippi, 
staying at this place for one year. He then found employment as teacher in the 
public schools of St. Mary parish, removing two years later to Galveston, Texas, 
where he engaged in clerking in the grocery store of L. Harris &i Co., for 
nine months. After this he came to Baldwin, and clerked for some time with 



mSTORJCAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ■•!«7 

E. D. Martin, eventually becoming manager of the store, which position he 
still holds. He was married, August 22, 1888, to Miss Aimee Sanguinette of St. 
Mary oarish, the daughter of J. R. and Hetmina (Bertrand) Sanguinette. One 
daughter has been born to them. April 26, 1890, named Hida. 



J. W. FOOTE, Irish Bend. — J. W. Foote was born in St. Mary parish. 
Louisiana, in 1849. ^^^ *^ ^'^^ ^"^^ °* J- ^- ''"*^ CaroHne (Dunesnil) Foote. 
J. M. Foote was a native of Tennessee, who removed to Louisiana earl}- in life, 
where he married and enged in sugar planting. He died in 1863, and his widow 
still survives him. 

The subject is one of a family born to the above union, six of whom are 
living; A. J., Mrs. Catherine Queen, J. W., Jr., Mrs. Mary Moffitt, N. J. and 
F. T. J. W. Foote received a limited education, and when young learned the 
carpenter trade, which he followed until i88.[, since which time he has been 
chiefly engaged in planting. He took charge of the Oak Lawn plantation in 
1887. and under his management it has been extremely successful. 



^ W. B. GRAY, MoKGAX City.— W. B. Gray, Morgan City, was born in 
Boston. Massachusetts, in 1842. He is the son of Wm. Howard and Mary Ann 
(Capen) Graj'. Mr. Howard Gray was born in Andover, Massachusetts, 1824. 
Mary Ann Gray was born in Maine. They were married in Boston, Mas- 
sachusetts, 1844. Two children were born to their marriage, W. B. and C. S. 

Wm. H. Gray died in 1S90, and his wife, Mary Ann, is still living in 
Maine, and is a remarkably stout person for her years. Wm. B. Gray lived 
for a period at Morgan City, where he became a successful ph\'sici:in, finally 
retiring and going to Maine, where he spent his last years. 

The mother of our subject belongs to the Dustin Capen family, one member 
of which figured so prominently in the earh- New England Indian troubles. 

Mr. W. B. Gray spent his school days at South Acton. Boston, Massachu- 
setts. His education was limited, the last school he attended was a night 
school taught by John G. WHiittier, the poet. Having his spirits all aroused by 
the breaking out of the civil war, on April 19, 1861, he got in a box car and 
rode to Boston, Massachusetts, where he climbed up a lightning-rod to get into 
a room to join Capt. Prescott's Company G, Concord Artillery, Fifth Regiment 
of Volunteers. During three months' service he and his regiment participated 
in the first battle of Bull Run. Subsequent to this he was for a short while 
engaged in the hospital service. November 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
E, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, as duty sergeant. They went to 
Annapolis. Maryland, and joined General Burnside's expedition to the Carolinas. 



368 SOUTJIWESI^ LOUISIANA: 

Mr. Gray was engaged in the following battles: Roanoke Island, Nevvburn, 
N. C, Planters' Creek, Kingston, White Hall, Goldsboro. He also took part 
in the siege of Fort Wagner and lead the grand charge that captured the fort 
September 6, 1863. He was a commander of one of the boats that made the 
night attack on Fort Sumter September 8, 1863. He was afterward engaged 
in the battle of the Tog at Fort Darling under General Butler. July 4, 1864, 
he was commissioned first lieutenant in First N. S. C. C, and commanded 
the first squadron that went into Richmond on the north side upon the fall of 
that city. He served throughout the entire war and was mustered out of ser- 
vice in New Orleans. After the war until the year 1878 he was an actor. 

Louisiana has been practically his home since the war. He has been en- 
gaged in the publishing business for a great many years. He founded the 
Morgan City Free Press, which he conducted till 1890. He is at present editor 
of the Commonwealth, a monthl}'^ journal, and is also doing printing for the 
State. 

Mr. Gray was married in 1878 to Miss Marie Louise Markstein of New 
Orleans. They are the parents of three children, Wm. Howard, Leroy Capen 

and Leonard Wise. 

* 

F. R. HABERT, Franklin. — F. R. Habert is a native of St. Mary 
parish, born in Franklin, 1857. He is the son of Augustin and Adeline Habert. 
both natives of France. Augustin Habert became a merchant of Franklin, and 
died in France in 1871. His widow survived him until 1883. She was one of 
of the pioneers of this parish. 

F. R. Habert is the only child of his parents now living. He received his 
early education in Franklin, and in 1864 he went with his parents to France, where 
he remained until 1872. During that time he attended college. In 1S73 he re- 
turned to France, and completed his studies in the Lyceum of Poitiers. He 
then returned to his native State and engaged in merchandising. In 1879 he 
married Miss Sidonie DelaHoussaye, of St. Mary parish. She is the 
daughter of Arthur DelaHoussaye, a merchant of Franklin. In i8Sohegave 
up his mercantile business and engaged in planting. His plantation, known as 
Central Park, is located on the west bank of Bayou Teche, four miles from 
Franklin. It consists of four hundred acres of land, two hundred of which he 
has put in cultivation since he owned it. He grows principally sugar cane and 
corn. He averages about three thousand pounds of sugar per acre, and uses a 
single mill and open kettle process. He raises eighteen barrels of corn per 
acre. His land is well improved, and all his buildings are first class. He is the 
father of si.x children, viz: Rene, Arthur, Adeline, Sidonie, Edouard and 
Lucie. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 3(59 

R. HAUF, Glencoe. — R. Haul, a successful merchant of Glencoe, St. 
Mary parish, was born in Germany, February 26, 1844. He is the son of Isi- 
dore and Rachael (Levy) Hauf, both natives of Germany. 

R. Hauf was reared and educated in Germany, and at the age of seventeen 
years he emigrated to America, locating at New Orleans, where he entered business 
as a clerk, in which capacity he served for a period of five years. He then went to 
Glencoe and engaged in a general mercantile business. Since that time he has 
been very successful and his business has rapidly increased. He is now sole 
proprietor of the store in which he carries a stock of three hundred thousand 
dollars, and does an annual business amounting to about twentj'-five thousand 
dollars. He owns ten acres of land, upon which he has built tenement houses. 
He was married in 1870, to Miss Lena Seligman,born October 3, 1847, a native 
of Germany, and daughter of Gustave Seligman. To this union was born a 
daughter, Annie. Mr. Hauf has taken an active part in social affairs, at the 
same time giving strict attention to business. He has been justice of the peace 
of the second ward of St. Mary parish since 1888, and in 1880 was appointed 
member of the parish school board. He is also a member of the Democratic 
Parish Committee. 



"^ XAVIER R. HALBERT, Baldwin.— Xavier Halbert a native of 
France, was born Febfuary 20, 1833. He is the son of John Pierre and Mary 
(Herve) Halbert, both natives of France. Xavier Halbert was one of a family 
of four children, two sons and two daughters, born to this union, viz: John, born 
1827: Xavier, the subject of this sketch: Philomene, born 1835, and Emile, 
born 1837. 

Xavier Halbert was reai-ed in France, where he received a liberal education. 
At the age of twenty years he came to New Orleans, where he remained for 
a short while, removing to St. Charles parish, Louisiana, where he engaged in 
coopering, in which he was employed for two years. From there he went to 
St. John the Baptist parish and for two years conducted a bakery. At the 
expiration of this time he located in St. James parish, where he continued to 
conduct a bakery business for twelve years. Later he ran a freight boat 
betwt en New Orleans and Cincinnati, Ohio, for a j-ear, when he came to Char- 
ington, Louisiana, and engaged in merchandising, and continued his business 
at this place for nineteen years, since which time he has conducted a flourisliing 
mercantile business at Baldwin. He carries a stock of seven thousand dollars 
and his annual business amounts to about twelve thousand dollars. Mr. Halbert 
was married in Lafourche parish, August 30, 1875, to Miss Rosine Cascarine, 
daughter of Charles F. DeZanche, a native of France and for many years a 
resident of New Orleans. Mr. and Mrs. Halbert are the parents of three sons 



370 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

and three daughters, viz: Mary Emilie, Heloise Anne, Xavier Cliarles, Einile, 

Eugenie Elodie, Andrew G. « 

* » 

^ JOSEPH P. JOHNSON, Franklin.— Joseph P. Johnson was born in 
New Orleans, September i6, 1853. He is the son of Charles H. and Eloise 
(Dulany) Johnson. Charles H. Johnson, an Englishman by birth, came to 
America during one of the political disturbances in France, he being a resident 
of that country at the time, and settled in New Orleans. He was a civil engineer 
by occupation. He prospered financiall}- and left his widow and children 
well provided for at the time of his death. Eloise Johnson was a native of 
France, born in 1820. .She was married in 1840 to the father of our subject, 
and to them four children were born, three son.s and one daughter, of whom two 
sons are living, Charles H. and Joseph P., the former a marble engraver and 
stone cutter of Philadelphia, the latter a liquor dealer of Frankhn, Louisiana. 
Alfred died young, and Eloise at the age of seventeen, both deaths occuring in 
New Orleans. The mother died in the same city in 1877. 

Our subject began business in New Orleans as salesman, and was tluis en- 
gaged for three j'ears, when he turned his attention to railroading, which he fol- 
lowed twelve years. In 1884 '^'^ settled in St. Mary parish, at the town of 
Baldwin, where he entered the retail liquor business. In this he was engaged 
for five years, and made money very rapidly. He established himself then at 
Franklin, though he did not discontinue his business in Baldwin,. and now has 
interests at both places. He is doing well, and has gained by his thrift and in- 
tegrity the confidence of his fellow citizens. In religion he is a Catholic, and in 
politics a Democrat. » 

^ W. W. JOHNSON, Franklin. — Mr. Johnson was born in St. Mary parish 
in 1833, son of J. A. and Mary (Nickelson) Johnson. J. A. Johnson was born 
in 1806, in Virginia, and moved to Louisiana, locating in St. Mary parish in 
1828, where he resides at present. Mrs. J. A. Johnson was born in St. Mary 
parish. 

W. W. Johnson is a graduate of Brown University, Rhode Island. He 
became especially proficient in mathematics and has made civil engineering his 
chief occupation. He has been successful in an eminent degree in most of his 
undertakings and owns an excellent sugar plantation close to the town of 
Franklin. 

W. W. Johnson was married to his first wife, Miss L. Smith, in 1866. She 
is a native of St. Mary parish, born in 1837, ^■'"^ there were born to their mar- 
riage three children, viz: W. B., born in 1867; Ella, born in 1869; Simeon, 
bornini87i. His first wife, the mother of these children, died in 1874. ^" 
1878 Mr. Johnson married Miss Mary Anderson, daughter of Hiram and Mary 



If/STORICAL AXD BIOGRAPHICAL. 371 

(Carson) Anderson. Our subject and family are of strong religious conviction 
and live in pure and moral atmosphere. 

• * 
**' MRS. WILLIAM P. KEMPER, Glencoe.— Mrs. William P. Kemper is 
a native of Maine, born November 8, 1835. She is the daughter of Michael 
and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Rogers, both natives of New York. Mrs. William 
P. Kemper was reared by Stephen Young, of Gardiner, Maine. She received 
the best educational advantages and came south, locating in Louisiana in 1856 
In 1858 she was married to William P. Kemper, who was a native of Louisiana, 
born June 26, 1826, and the son of William P. Kemper, Sr., and Eliza Hulick, 
the former a native of Louisiana and the latter of New Jersey. William P. 
Kemper and wife became the parents of eight children, viz: Stephen Y., who 
died October i, 1859; Eliza B., William B., Kate G., Mary J., James P., 
Walter Y.. Charles D. William P. Kemper was one of the most highly re- 
spected and prominent citizens of the State. He died very suddenly at his 
home, Glencoe plantation, on Wednesday, November 26, 1890. Mr. Kemper 
had been for many years the only planter in St. Mary parish who owned after 
the war the same plantation on which he resided before that period. Mrs. 
Kemper owns two plantations, Glencoe and Patagonia; the former consists of 
one thovisand three hundred and twenty-six acres of land, eight hundred and 
forty of which are under cultivation in sugar cane and corn. The cane yields 
twentj'-seven tons per acre and the corn fifteen barrels. In Glencoe sugar house 
there is a three-roller sugar mill and refinery which cost about twenty thousand 
dollars, with a capacity for a hundred and fifty tons of sugar cane per day. They 
manufacture three grades of sugar. Patagonia plantation is used as a stock 
farm. ^^ 

HON. J. A. LORET, Patterson. — Hon. J. A. Loret is a native of Louisi- 
ana, born 1S61. His paternal grandparents were of Norman French descent, 
while his maternal grandparents were natives of Virginia. Mr. Loret's father. 
Captain Loret, was a successful planter of the State. During the late Civil 
War he served as captain of the home militia. 

Hon. J. A. Loret received a liberal education in Assumption parish, where 
he spent his youthful days. In 1880 he removed to Patterson, at which place 
he has since engaged in business. When quite young he embarked in mercan- 
tile pursuits, to which he has given liis chief attention in business life. His business 
in Patterson is one of the leading of the place. Mr. Loret has for many years 
taken an active interest in political affairs, and in 1878 he was elected represen- 
tative in the lower house of the Legislature from St. Mary parish, of which 
body he is still a member. As a member of the Legislature, Mr. Loret has 
been noted for the firmness with which he adheres to his convictions. In the 



373 SOU7 'II H 7iV> T I. O (IIS I A NA : 

recent lottery issue, which so much agitated the people of the State, he was one 
of the most unwavering opponents to a recharter. Mr. Loret is still a single man. 

* * 

ELAIRE LONCEON, Louisa. — Elaire Lonceon was born in Terrebonne 
parish, 1851. He is the son of Polete and Armena (Arceneaux) Lonceon, both 
natives of Terrebonne parish, Louisiana. 

Elaire Lonceon was reared in his native parish and lived with his father 
until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he left his home and came to 
St. Mar}' parish, where he married Miss Elodie Bonvillain, also a native of 
Terrebonne parish and the daughter of Marcelin and Amalie (Thibodeau) 
Bonvillain, who were also natives of the same parish. Mr. Lonceon and wife 
are the parents of eight children, all of whom are living. Mr. Lonceon entered 
business as a planter, working on shares for five years. He then accepted a po- 
sition as overseer on a plantation, which position he held for seven j'ears, after 
which time he purchased a plantation consisting of two hundred and fifty acres 
of land, seventy of which were under cultivation when he bought it. He raises 
sugar cane and corn, and has succeeded in putting it all in a high state of cul- 
tivation. * 
/* * * 

THOMAS C. LAWLESS. Franklin.— Thomas C. Lawless was born in 
Thibodeaux, Terrebonne parish, Louisiana, February 8, 1855. His father, 
Solomon C. Lawless, was a native of Kentucky, born about 1815. He removed 
to Big Cane, St. Landry parish, Louisiana, in 1856, where he became a suc- 
cessful planter. The mother of Thomas C. Lawless, Harriet Cheny Lawless, is 
a native of St. Landry parish, born in 1834, and now a resident of Mobile. Ala- 
bama. She married a second time in Big Cane, Mr. A. B. Haskins. 

Thomas C. Lawless was reared in St. Landry and St. Mar}- parishes, 
Louisiana, and received a limited education in the common schools of the vicinities 
in which he resided. At the age of fourteen he became an apprentice to the 
blacksmith trade, working at this a short while, when he learned the carpenter 
trade, and in this was employed for a period aggregating ten 3'ears. In 1S82 
Mr. Lawless engaged as a sawyer for Wm. A Hansen and served as such for a 
term of seven years. In 1889 he engaged in the lumber business as a partner 
with Capt. Wm. Kyle. Their success demonstrates the business tact and energy 
characteristic of the firm. Mr. Lawless was married, November 13, 1883, to 
Miss Margaret A. Hanson, a daughter of Albert and Anna Hansen, both natives 
of Europe, who removed to Louisiana early in fife. As a result of this uiiinn two 
children ha\'e been born: Alberta and Willie. 

* 

*'' AUGUSTE LESSEPS, Jr., Cvpremort. — Auguste Lesseps is a native of 
Piaquemine parish, born in 1855. He is the son of Auguste and Carmen 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 373 

(Ribas) Lesseps, the former a native of New Orleans, the latter of Spain. They 
were married in New Orleans, where they now reside. Mr. Lesseps, Sr., was 
for tort}' years a sugar planter in Plaquemine parish, and was for a number of 
years treasui'er of that parish. During the war he was a Union man, but took no 
active part in the contest. He is a cousin of DeLesseps of Panama canal fame. 
Our subject was educated in Mississippi, at Trinit}- High School, Pass 
Chrislian, where he rem;iined four years. After leaving school he engaged in 
sugar planting, at the age of seventeen years. He went to Plaquemine parish, 
remaining there eight years, when he removed to St. Landry, at whieli pi. ice he 
resided one year. Then he returned to Plaquemine, and lived therefor a period 
ol three years. He married, in 1882, Miss Augusta Story, a native of St. Ber- 
nard parish, and daughter of Clement and Amelia (Lesseps) Story. She was 
reared and" educated in New Orleans.' Auguste Lesseps removed from Plaque- 
mine to St. Charles, where he remained a _\ear, when he returned to Plaquemine 
and there lived two years, after which he removed to Avoyelles, staying there 
two years, when he located in St. Mar}' parish in December, 1889. There lie took 
charge of a plantation. He is the father of four children: Hamilton, Mnrguerite", 
Edgar and an infant. Our subject and family are members of the Catholic church. 

« 
# » 
/ 

H. M. MAYO, Morgan City. — H. M. Mayo, the efficient editor and 

proprietor of the Morgan City Review, was born in London, England, 1862. 

He is the son of H. AL Mayo, Sr., and Emma Wood, who were married in 1851. 

Three sons weie born to this marriage, of which our subject is the oldest. H. 

M. Mayo, Sr., was born in England, and was a seafaring man. He was a bold 

navigator, and snved a crew in the British Channel at his own personal risk. For 

this brave deed he had the "Cross of the Legion of Honor" bestowed upon him. 

He finally located at Morgan City, where, in the employment of the Morgan Line, 

he had charge of the wharf at Morgan City. He subsequently entered hotel 

business, and continued in it till his death in 1876. 

Our subject spent his school days in Morgan City. He was for eight years 
in the stationery business, after which he was appointed post-master of Morgan 
City, in 1884, ''"'^ \^v\di. the position six years. He took charge of the Morgan 
City Review, July i, 1890, and subsequently purchased the Free Press, which 
two papers he has consolidated. His paper now is well edited and published, 
and in the front ranks of progressive journals of the State. 

Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Jennie Shannon, and two children 
have been born to this marriage: Ara Lilian, Kenneth. 



JOHN W. MORRIS, Louisa.— John W. Morris was born in St. Mary 
parish, January II, 1840. He is the son of B. and Hanna (Herran) Morris, 
•23a 



3 74 SO urn WES T L O (7/ SI A NA : 

both of vvhoin were reared and married in Mar^-land, and immigrated early in 
life to St. Mary parish, Louisiana. 

John W. Morris, the subject of this sketch, was reared in St. Mary parish, 
where lie attended school until sixteen years of age, when he learned the car- 
penter trade. After working continuously at this for lifteen years, he became 
an overseer, which business he has followed up to the present time. Our sub- 
ject has been married three times. First to Amanda Presler, a native of Texas; 
one son, John, being born to them, who died in infancy. His second wife was 
Miss Adelide Chapman, of Mississippi. One daughter was the result of this 
union, Lovenia Ellen, now the wife of D. Breaux. Our subject's last marriage 
was with Julia Edgerly, a native of Louisiana, and daughter of Samuel S. 
Edgerly. Four sons have been born to them: Henderson D., Samuel 'S., Jr., 
Ernest J., and John W., Jr. Mr. Morris is at present overseer on Alcide B. 
plantation, which is located on the north side of Bayou Cypremort, and is his 

permanent place of residence. ^ 

* * 

WILSON McKERALL, Franklin.— Wilson McKerall, mayor of Frank- 
lin, was born at Hyde Park, New York, August 19, 1847. His father, Wilson 
McKerall, Sr., was a native of South Carolina, born 1813. The latter daysof his 
life he spent in St. Mary parish, having come there a carpenter. He became 
one of St. Mary's most prominent and substantial citizens and amassed a large 
fortune. He held various positions of public trust, among which was that of 
parish assessor and ma3for of Franklin. The latter position he resigned some 
time before his death, in 1881, on account of failing health. 

Wilson McKerall's mother, Emily Whitcomb, was a native of Connecticut. 
She died in Franklin in 1861. 

Wilson McKerall was an only child. He spent his school days at Harrods, 
Kentucky', and received a fair business education. He left school at the age of 
thirteen years and began life for himself. In 1861 he engaged as engineer on 
the steamboat T. D. Hine, which was in the Confederate service, engaged in 
transporting troops. Shortly afterward Mr. McKerall accepted a similar posi- 
tion on the steamer St. Mary, plying between Morgan City and New Iberia. 
In 1862 he went aboard the gun-boat Diana, which was burnt above Franklin 
shortl}' afterward. Afterward Mr.' McKerall was on the government transport 
boat A. G. Brown, engaged in transporting government supplies and troops on 
the Bayou Teche and to New Orleans via the gulf, and from New Orleans to 
Mobile Bay. The A. G. Brown was in the engagement at the Spanish 
Fort, Mobile. From her Mr. McKerall was transferred to the steamer St. 
Charles, which was in the Confederate States service transporting troops from 
New Orleans to Montgomery, Alabama. 

For a number of years antecedent to 1880 Mr. McKerall was engaged on 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 375 

the United States mail boat Anna E. Since 1880 he has jiiven his attention to 

his banking and real estate business at Franklin. As a citizen Mr. McKerall 

is identified with everjthing tending to the promotion of his town and parish. 

Recognizing his public-spiritedness his fellow townsmen have honored him by 

electing him mayor of this thriving little city, and in this capacity Mr. McKerall 

has demonstrated liis executive ability. 

He was married, January 27, 1S68, to Miss Frances E. Gordy. To them 

have been born five children, two sons and three daughters. 

* 
» * 

•^S. C. MELANCON, Baldwin. — S. C. Melancon, merchant, was born 
January 6, 1856, in Assumption parish. He is the son of S. J. and C.(Boudreau) 
Melancon, natives of Assumption parish. 

Our subject was reared in his native parish and there spent his school days, 
after which he was engaged as clerk for a period of four years, when he turned 
his attention to carpentering, and this he followed for fifteen years. In 1880 
sugar boiler became his chief occupation, in which he is still engaged. He bought 
in 1S86, one-third interest in the Baldwin Saw Mill Company, and acted as its 
manager for two years. In 1887 he purchased the property and mercantile stock 
of E. Dosher, worth five thousand dollars, and is doing therewith a large and 
increasing business. He married, February 8, 1877, Matilda Ohlmeyer, a native 
of Assumption, born February 19, 1854, ^"'i daughter of William and Elizabeth 
(Nobe) Ohlmeyer, natives of Hanover and Oldenberg, Germany, respectivel}^. 
To them have been born ten children, six sons and four daughters: Mary, de- 
ceased ; NichoUs, Delia, Lydia, deceased; Henry, deceased; Frank, deceased ; 
Edward, Stella, George, and Sidney, deceased. Mr. Melancon is the treasurer 
of the Baldwin Dramatic and Social Club at this place. 

» 

E. D. MARTIN, Baldwin. — E. D. Martin is a native of Canada, born 
March 15, 1841. He is the son of John and Marceline (Lucier) Martin, both 
natives of Canada, who afterward emigrated to the United States, locating in 
Illinois. 

E. D. Martin received his preparatory education in the public schools of 
Illinois and afterward entered St. Anne's College, where he completed his course 
of mental discipline. After leaving college he entered the mercantile business 
as a clerk. After having served in that capacity for two years, the war broke out, 
and as a patriotic soldier he enlisted in the Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing throughout the whole of the struggle. After the war he reiurned to his 
home and then removed to Iowa, where he married Miss Fannie Harper, a 
native of Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel Harper, one of the earlj' settlers of 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs, Martin became the parents of four children, viz: Edward 



a 76 so IJTII H EST L O VI SI A NA : 

S., Carrie, Marceline, Johnnie. In 1878 they moved to Louisiana, locating 
at Baldwin, where Mr. Mariin became the overseer of a plantation in this State. 
He was for eight years engaged in that capacity, and is now engaged in the 
mercantile business at Baldwin. He commenced business with a capital of 
about $1000, and has steadily increased his business until now he does a hirge 
business and carries a stock of $13,000, and his annual sales is $25,000. 

JAMES C. MAHON, Foster.— Jamrs C. Mahon is a native'of the British 
West Indies, born 1845. He is the son of William E. and Christian (Clarke) 
Mahon, natives of Ireland and Scotland, respective!}'. They were married in 
Barbadoes, British West Indies, where each emigrated when young. William 
Mahon was aplanter, and followed that business all his life. He died in 1869. 
His widow survives liim and is still a resident of Barbadoes. She is the mother 
of eight children, seven of wliom are living, James Malion being the onlv one 
in America. 

James C. Mahon received his early education in Barbadoes and subse- 
quently in England. After having completed his literary studies in England he 
returned to Barbadoes and engaged in a dr}' goods business, and after one \ear's 
experience in that line became a planter, in which business he continued for 
seven years, when he emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois, and be- 
gan farming. This did not suit his tastes; so he entered an insurance business 
in which he remained until 1872, when he removed to St. Mary parish, Louis- 
iana, where he engaged in sugar planting for four years. From '80 to '86 he 
served'as man;'ger of a plantation and then purchased South Bend plantation on 
Bayou Sale, consisting of three thousand six hundred and sixty acres, eight 
hundredof which is arable land, live hundred swamp and two thousand and 
sixt}' sea mar^h. On this extensive tract of land he has been engaged in sugar 
making and slock raising. He has over five hundred head of cattle and makes 
a ton and a half of cane per acre. He has an efficient sugar mill, with a capac- 
ity of one hundred and fifty tons in twenty-four hours, which heintends increas- 
ing to a greater capacity. Mr. Mahon married in 1876 Miss Florence Hud- 
son, a native of this parish. She is the daughter of Benjamin Hudson, a promi- 
nent plantfer and a descendant of one of the early families of St. Mary parish. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mahon are the parents of three children, two daughters and one 
son, viz: Anna, Beatrice, Hubert. Mr. Mahon is a charter member of tlie K. 
of P. Lodge of St. Mary No. 44, of Franklin. 

* * 
PIERRE MAILLARD, Cypremort.— Pierre Maillard was born February 
4, 1841. He is a native of Switzerland, and is the son of Pierre and Mary 
Maillard, the former a native of Switzerland, who is still living and a resident 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 377 

of his native country, and tlie latter a native of France, born 1805 and died 1886. 
They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living, viz: Kate 
Louisa, Francois Xavier and the subject of this sketch, Pierre, Jr. 

Pierre Maillard was reared and educated in Switzerland. He came to 
America in 1855, locating at New Orleans, where he was taken sick with the 
yellow fever. After having recovered he went to St. Mary parish and lived 
with his uncle until 1859. At this period he went to Louisville, Ky., and there 
engaged in keeping a restaurant, and remained there until 1861, when he joined 
the Federal army, in which he served until 1864 in the First Kentucky Regi- 
ment of Volunteers. He was discharged at Covington, Ky., at the close of the 
war. He then went to Cincinnati, and thence to Memphis, Tenn., where he en- 
gaged as general laborer, and remained there until 1882, during which time he 
engaged in tool repairing for himself. He came to St. Mary parish, where he 
engaged with his uncle as a clerk for three years, and then in copartner- 
ship with Nicholas Cerl, opening a mercantile store and operating a planta- 
tion, and this..business they are pursuing with success. Our subject was mar- 
ried in 1865, at Memphis, Tenn., to Miss Mary King, a native of Dublin, Ire- 
land. She died in 1875, and he married two years later Miss Annie Hotter, a 
native of Memphis, Tenn., and of German extraction. Her brother, Henry 
Hotter, is secretary of the Cotton Exchange at Memphis, and one of the young- 
est men in the United States acting in that capacity. Mr. Maillard has no chil- 
dren of his own, but he having made a trip to Europe in 1886, adopted a 
girl, a native of Switzerland, Mary Louisa. When she came to Louisiana she 
was only able to speak French, but she has now mastered English, French 
and German. She was born in 1878. In politics Mr. Maillard is ati active Re- 
publican. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of New Iberia. He and 
lamily are members of the Catholic church. 

* » 
^ WALTER A. O'NIELL, B.\ldwin.— Walter A. O'Niell was born in the 
city of New York, September 22, 1855. His father, John A. O'Niell, is a 
native of Ireland and came to New York when quite young. He married 
Isabella Burnham, who at an early age emigrated from England to New York. 
They were the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are now living, viz: 
Walter A., the subject of this sketch ; R. Emmett, Florence, wife of Judge 
Smith; Annie, wife of David Todd, of Iberia; Bella, wife of C. E. Schrenk; 
John, Charles and George. Of these, Bella and Annie are twins. When Walter 
O'Niell was two years of age his parents removed to Louisiana, stopping first at 
Morgan City, from whence they removed to Franklin, where his lather engaged 
in the mercantile business, i-n which he is still interested, his store being the 
largest establishment in Franklin. He was formerly sheriff, and now hold the 
position of treasurer of St. Mary parish. During the war he served four years 



37S SOUTHWEST L O UISIANA : 

in the Confederate States army. The subject of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the schools of Franklin, and, after coinpleting his studies, engaged for 
several years in business with his father. He was married, January i, i8So, to 
Miss Carrie Lienicke, a native of New Orleans. She is the daughteV of Conrad 
Lienicke, a i-etired manufacturer, of New Orleans. In 1882, Mr.O'Niell 
retired from his mercantile business, purchased Linwood plantation and engaged 
in sugar raising. His place is situated on the east side of Bayou Teche and 
consists of one thousand acres; three hundred of which are under cultivation in 
cane and corn. He averages about twenty-five hundred pounds of sugar per 
acre and twenty bushels net corn per acre. In addition to his own plantation 
he leases Oxford plantation, nineteen hundred acres, on the east bank of Bayou 
Teche, upon which he cultivates eight hundred acres of rice and corn, and 
makes an average of twelve barrels of rice per acre. The sugar house at Lin- 
wood is open kettle process, he makes only syrup, which is shipped on barges 
down the Teche to the Baldwin refinery, where it is granulated. Mr. O'Niell 
gives employment to from forty to seventy-five hands at different periods of the 
year, and is the largest producer of rice in St. Mary parish. 

He is the father of three children, viz: Laura Isabelle, Herbert Edwin and 
Conrad Lienicke. Mr. O'Niell is an enterprising planter and is fully alive to 
the interests of his section of the country. He gives his assistance in furthering 
any worthy project. 

^ FRANCIS PLACIDE FERRET, Franklin.— Francis Palcide Perret was 
born in St. John the Baptist parish October 4, 1834. ^^ ^^ the son of Placide and 
Mathilde C. (Darenbourg) Perret, both natives of St. John the Baptist parish, and 
the latter of French and Swede origin. The grandfather of our subject's mother 
was Chevalier Darensbourg, who emigrated to Louisiana in June, 1722, at the 
head of two hundred and fifty Germans to colonize Louisiana. The father and 
mother of our subject became the parents of seven children: Helene L., 
Mathilde, Isabelle Emma, Francois Placide, Irene Eleanore, Philomene and 
Anne Heloise. Isabelle Emma and Philomene are now deceased. 

Francis Placide Perret, the subject of this sketch, attended school in his 
native parish till he was fifteen 3'ears of age, when he entered college at Bards- 
town, Kentucky, where he remained until the spring of 1851. He began life for 
himself in St. Mary parish, where he had removed with his parents in 1848, as a 
druggist, in which he continued for some time. In 1880 he was appointed dep- 
uty clerk of the court at Franklin, and in 1888 was elected clerk of the district 
court, and is the present incumbent of that office. He was married November, 
1858, to Miss Fannie Perret, a native of this parish, born May 19, 1836. She is 
the daughter of Ursin and Fannie (Pain) Perret, the former born in St. James 
parish, 1795, and died in 1877, and the latter born in St. Charles parish, 1803, 



HISTORICAL AND 'BIOGRAPHI'CAL. 379 

and is still living. Mr. Perret and wife are the parents of seven children, viz: 
Helen Emma, Marie, Fannie, Corinne, Mathilde, SylvainUrsin, Frank Placide, 
deceased. Mr. Perret and wife are members of the Catholic Church, tie is 
a member of the Masonic Lodge, and is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Perret has 
worked assiduously during his life, and holds the confidence of many of the best 
people of St. Mary parish. 

'^ HENRY PENN, Baldwin. — Henry Penn was born in St. Mary parish, 
September i6, 1839- ^^ '^ '^^ ^°" °^ Henry and Eugenie (Detice) Penn, both 
natives of St. Mary parish. Our subject was reared in his native parish, where 
he attended the public schools for a period of eight years. After completing Ins 
studies he became an overseer, and was engaged at this for four years, when, 
the war breaking out, he volunteered in Pecot's company. Third Louisiana Regi- 
ment, of Harrison's brigade, and served four years, until the close of the war.. 
Returning home, he engaged in planting, which has been his principal occupa- 
tion until the present time. He owns three hundred acres of land, two hundred 
and fifty being under cultivation. He married, July 26, 1859, Azama Bodin, a 
native of St. Mary parish, born September 11, 1841. To this union were born 
seven sons and four daughters: Anette, Henry, Jr.: William, Alice, Eugenie, 
Felicity. Charles, Tice, Robert, Gregois and Clara. 



'^ CAPT. A. A. PECOT, Cypremort. — The story of the Pecot family is an 
interesting one, and complete in its detail would constitute a history of itself. 
The first of the name of whom we have any definite information was Francois 
Pecot, an Acadian. Upon the occupancy of Acadia by the British, he was ex- 
iled to San Domingo, where he accumulated, in after years, considerable prop- 
erty. Among his fellow exiles was Madame Marie Prejean Dupuis, widow of 
Jean Baptiste Dupuis. Shortly after locating on the Island, Francois Pecot 
married Madame Dupuis, and they became the parents of seven children, viz : 
Luc, Jacques, Marie Rose, Marie Antoinette, Charles, Marie Louise, Marie 
Anne. Luc Pecot was a soldier during the Revolution of San Domingo an-d 
fought under the French flag, as was also his brother, Jacques. Though under 
age he entered the service in order that his father, who was at that time an aged 
man, might be spared the hardships incident to a soldier's life. In this revolu- 
tion Francois Pecot and his sons, Luc and Jacques, were captured and con- 
demned to death, and the lives of the whole family placed in jeopardy. But by 
the assistance of a negro, a family slave, they escaped, and the family removed 
to Jamaica, and from thence for a time to New Orleans. Luc, the eldest son of 
Francois Pecot, died without leaving any children. Jacques became the father 
of four sons, viz: Pierre, Edward, Aglae, Octave. Marie Rose married Jean 



380 SO UTHWEST L O UISIA NA . 

Armelin and became the mother of ten children, viz : Jean, Josephine, Coralie, 
AspasieE., Charles, Theodore, Aristide, Ulysses, Adele, Joseph. 

Marie Antoinette married Gabriel Bouillet and they became the parents of 
a son, Joseph Sully, and a daughter, Hermina, who maried Balthazar Martel, 
to whom, assisted by her son, J. Sully Martel, we are indet)ted for the sketch 
of the Pecot family. 

Charles Pecot married Felicity Sigur about 1817 or '18. They became the 
parents of eight children, four of whom are now living, viz: Alexander Al- 
cide, Ernest, Denis Mozart, Cornelie. Marie Louise married Alexander 
Frere and Marie Anne married Frederick Pellerin. 

Alexander Alcide Pecot was born, 1822, in St. Mary parish. He was 
educated entirely at home, and while yet a youth engaged as secretary and 
assistant to his older brother, who was manager of his father's plantation. 
After the death of his brother, young Pecot took charge of the plantation, 
and after his mother's death became administrator of the succession. Under 
his able management the estate has been greatly increased in extent and 
value. In the late war Mr. Pecot was an active participant, and when 
Louisiana called for volunteers for home defence, he organized an indepen- 
dent company of cavalry, of which lie was first lieutenant, and afterward 
was captain. Capt. Pecot has served in many responsible official positions 
and always with satisfaction. In 1858 he was elected to the State Senate. 
He was appointed by Francis T. Nicholls tax collector of St. Mary par- 
ish, and in this capacity served four years. Capt. Pecot is a life-long Dem- 
ocrat, and it may safely be said that he is a leader of that party in St. Mary 
parisli. Capt. Pecot is a man of marked abilit}- and broad views. Being pos- 
sessed of a remarkably keen perception, he is not slow in reaching a con- 
clusion, and after it has been -reached is firm in his adherence to it. With- 
out a family of his own, he never having married, the Captain labors for the 
benefit of others, and there are many who t:an testify to his beneficence. 

* * 
LOUIS PELERINjCypremort — Louis Pelerin, sugar planter, is the son 
of Nicholas and Eufaula (Dartey) Pelerin. He w.is born in St. Mary parish 
in 1843, where he worked on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, when 
his father's death occurred. Soon after this he joined Captain Murphy's com- 
pan}? of Louisiana Volunteers, in which he fought bravely and served with 
honor until the close of the war, wlien he commenced planting, which is his 
present avocation. Soon after ilie close of the war he married Josena Goula, 
of St. Mary parish. To them nine children have been born: Filamon, Louis, 
Jr., Mar}", Nicholas, Julia, Baltliazar, Eugenia, Eufamia and Antoinette. Mr. 
Pelerin owns a fine plantation on which he makes a specialty of raising corn 
and cane. 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 381 

^ FRITZ RODE, Glencoe. — Fritz Rode, merchant and planter, was born 
in Germany, November 22, 1849. ^^ '^ ^^^ ^*^" ^^ Charles and Caroline Rode. 
At the age of four, and thereafter for eleven years, he attended private school, 
when he turned his attention to general merchandising as salesman. In 1867 he 
came to the United States, locating in Galveston, Texas, in which place he was 
engaged in a confectionery store for a short time, when he removed to New 
Orleans. A few months later he took up his abode in St. Mary parish, turning 
his attention to planting, in which he continued for eight years, then entered the- 
mercantile business, in which he is still engaged, and is meeting with much suc- 
cess. He owns different plantations, aggregating five hundred and forty acres,. 
on one of which he has established a large store. He also has an interest in a 
branch store. Mr. Rode is united in marriage with Miss Eufenile Roderiges,. 
a native of Louisiana, born in 1856, and daughter of Rustache Roderiges. To- 
them six children have been born: Alma, Charles, Anna, Jean, Caroline and.' 

Sasthene. 

* 

CHARLES STEINACKER, Franklin.— Cliarles Steinacker was born in 
New Orleans, February 22, 1845. He is the son of Frank Steinacker, who was 
born in Bavaria in 1810. Francis Steinacker was lieutenant in the Bavarian 
arm}^ and served as a patriotic soldier for several years. He emigrated to 
America in 1841 and landed in New York City, where he remained until 1843, 
wlien he came south, locating in New Orleans. Here he was married, in 1843, 
to Miss Roch, and they became the parents of two children — our subject, Charles 
Steinacker, and a daughter, Elizabeth. Frank Steinacker died in 1850, 

Charles Steinacker was reared in New Orleans, and received a good busi- 
ness and literary education. He then served an apprenticeship as a blacksmith, 
and subsequently entered the employ of a large retail mercantile house in New 
Orleans, with whom he remained as salesman for eleven 3'ears. He came to 
Franklin in 1885, and accepted an engagement in one of the largest mercantile 
houses there. Desiring to enter business for himself, he opened a general mer- 
cantile house on his own account in 1889, where his efforts have been attended 
with the greatest success. He is now doing one of tiie most active and paying 
businesses in St. Mar\' parish. Mr. Steinacker is a natural salesman, and is in 
his element when handling goods and dealing with the public. He is a member 

of the Catholic churcli. 

« 

V GEORGE B. SHEPHERD, Franklin.— George B. Shepherd is a native 
of Massachusetts, born July 10, 1824. He is the son of Nathaniel and Mary 
(Whelden) Shepherd, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. Nathaniel 
Shepherd was a jeweler by occupation and was a successful business man; in 
politics he was a Democrat. Our subject's mother was born in 1804 and was 



382 SO UTII WES T LO VIS I A NA : 

married in Massachusetts. She became the mother of one child, the subject of 
this sketch. 

George B. Shepherd received an excellent academic education, and in 1845 
came to Louisiana from Massachusetts and engaged as a salesman for Cyrus B. 
Whelden, in which capacity he was employed for three years. After this he 
devoted his time to civil engineering, and in 1857 became editor of the Attakapas 
Register, a weekly Democratic paper published in Franklin. He was thus engaged 
until i860, when he was appointed register of the State land office, which posi- 
tion he held until 1862, when he enlisted in the C. S. A. under General Miles, 
Louisiana Volunteers, in which command he served until the close of the war. 
After the war he became a notary public, and in 1870 he turned his attention to 
law. In 1872 he was chief clerk of the McEnery House of Representatives, 
and in 1887 was appointed post-master by President Cleveland, and held this 
office until July, 1890, when he returned to the practice of law. He was married, 
March, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth McMillan, a daughter of Robert McMillan and 
Janet Douglas, native of Scotland, born in 1833 and died in 1882. Mr. and 
Mrs. Shepherd are the parents of five children: Emma, Georgie, Edwin, George 
and Robert. Mr. Shepherd and famil}^ are members of the Episcopal church. 

He is a stanch Democrat. » 

* * 

'^ THOMAS SHAFFER, Franklin.— Thomas Shaffer is a native of Terre- 
bonne parish, born October 9, 1842. He is the son of William A. and Emilie 
(Bourgeois) Shaffer. William A. Shaffer was a planter by occupation, and was 
first engaged in his pursuit in Lafourche parish and subsequently removed to 
Terrebonne parish, where he established what is known as the Crescent Farm. 
He died at a ripe old age in 1886. His wife died in 1875. They were the par- 
ents of three sons and four daughters, viz: John J., W. R., Lizzie H., wife of 
T. T. Brooks ; Belle W., wife of Dr. J. H. Sanders of St. Mary parish ; Thomas 
J., the subject of this sketch; Benjamin F. died at the age of 25 years, in Texas, 
in 1871. 

Thomas Shaffer received his early education in the private schools of Terre- 
bonne parish, and in 1854 went to Shelby College, Kentucky. He returned 
home in the fall of 1858 and then went to the Centenary College, at Jackson, 
Louisiana, where he remained until the war, when he left school, and going to 
Richmond, Va., joined the First Louisiana Battalion, under General Magruder, 
and after having served about a year he was promoted to the position of Lieu- 
tenant of the Twenty-sixth Louisiana Regiment, a command of volunteers from 
Southwest Louisiana, composed mostly of Creoles. The command was organ- 
ized at Berwick City, under Alexander Declouet, and numbered about eleven 
hundred strong. This regiment was engaged in the fall of New Orleans, and 
was then ordered to Vicksburg with the Army of Mississippi. This regiment 



HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 383 

participates in many of the engagements on the Yazoo River, Deer Creek and 
Battle of "Chickasaw, and went into Vicksburg before the siege, where he 
(Shaffer) was made Inspector General under General N. L. Smith. July 4, 
1863, he was taken prisoner and shortly after was paroled by General Grant. 
He then went home and remained inside the Federal lines until 1864. He took 
passage on a boat to attend a camp of reorganization at Alexandria, but only 
went as far as Natchitoches, where he remained for some time and then returned 
home. After the war he engaged in planting on his father's place, and after re- 
maining here for a year he engaged with T. T. Brooks and Charles Taenant in 
a mercantile business at Houma. April 23, 186S, he married Miss Anna P. Pel- 
ton, a native of Terrebonne parish, born 1846. She is the daughter of the late 
John M. Pelton, one of the most energetic and successful planters of Terrebonne 
parish and the owner of the celebrated Du Lac plantation, of which our subject 
took charge- in 1868. The same year he purchased his present plantation, known 
then as Cherokee Edge and now as Anna plantation. Since that time he has 
given his attention to the growing of sugar cane and rice. His plantation lies 
on both sides of the Teche, between the famous Oak Lawn and Bellevue plan- 
tations. Mr. Shaffer is the father of five children, viz : Susan Margaret, Will- 
iam A., Katie L., Ben F., Edna, Our subject was for three years president of 
the police jury. He is a stanch Democrat. He is a charter member of the 
Knights of Honor and of the American Legion of Honor. He and wife are 
members of the Episcopal church. 



J. Y. SANDERS, Franklin. — J. Y. Sanders is a native of St. Mary par- 
ish, born January 29, 1869. He is the son of J. Y. Sanders, Sr., and Bessie 
Wafford Sanders. J. Y. Sanders was a native of St. Mary parish, and was a 
planter by occupation. He married, in 1867, our subject's mother, a daughter 
of James M. and Diana (Coco) Wafford. They became the parents of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, of whom our subject, J. Y. Sanders, Jr., 
is the eldest. The other children are: Mary, S. K., B. W., J. W., H. L., 
Thomas ; those deceased are Francis, Leila R. 

J. Y. Sanders, Jr., received a limited education, and began business in a 
mercantile house at Franklin, where he remained two years, when he turned his 
attention to overseeing, in which business he contmued until 1S89. He then 
moved to Texarkana, Arkansas, where he became editor and proprietor of a 
weekly newspaper. In March, 1890, he became editor of the St. Mary Banner, 
a weekly paper published in Franklin. Mr. Sanders is a gentleman of high 
mental discipline and excellent ability as an editor. His editorials always 
reach the point, and he is one of the best informed young men in St. Mary- 
parish. 



384 SOUTHWEST L OUISIANA : 

EDWARD A. SANDERS, Franklin.— Edward A. Sanders was born 
in New York, July 2, 1817. He received a meagre education in the public 
schools of Ohio, where he spent his boyhood. He started doing for himself 
at the age of twenty-one years as a brick maker and bricklayer, and has been 
thus engaged most of his life. He was married to Miss Geff, who was born 
in Virginia in 1820. There were born to this marriage eight children, five of 
whom are still living: Delicia, wife of George Howard; Flora, Helena, wife of 
Jules Meyeret; John H. and Gordan. Those dead are: Anna, died 1861 ; Cyrus, 
died 1873; Borena, died 1854. The mother of these children died in 1866. 

Our subject has had a checkered career. During the Civil War he was 
pressed into service (though neutral) by the Federal authorities. They also 
destroyed a great amount of property in the way of boats and stock for him. 
They also appropriated twenty-four bales of cotton belonging to him. In recent 
years all his property was destroyed by fire. Notwithstanding that, he still has 
a comfortable house in Franklin. He also has 160 acres of limber land in St. 
Marj^ parish, and some interests in Virginia. 

Our subject is a Methodist in belief, though not a communicant. The rest 
of the family are Roman Catholics. 

^ JOSEPH O. SIGUR, ScALLY.— Joseph O. Sigur was born in St. Mary 
parish, Louisiana, September 18, 1853. He is the son of Hermogene and 
Louise E. (Decuir) Sigur, natives of Iberia parish. 

Our subject was reared in St. Mary parish. He received his primary edu- 
cation in the private schools of St. Mar\' parisli, and pursued a three 3'ears". 
course in St. Charles College, Grand Coteau. Prior to this he had been a 
student in Spring Hill College, Alabama. After leaving school Mr. Sigur 
returned to St. Mary parish, and was engaged with liis grandfather in the man- 
agement of his plantation until the time of the hitter's death. By his grand- 
father's will he was made heir to one-half of the estate, consisting of eight 
hundred acres of land, two hundred oi them being in a state of cultivation. 
Mr. Sigur since that time has given his entire attention to conductmg his planta- 
tion, and has become one of the well-to-do farmers of the section. Mr. Sigur 
was married, December 26, 1886, to Miss Mary Emma Gravenberg, of St. 
Mary parish. They are the parents of two sons, Edward and George;. 

* » 
^ J. F. SHAW, Franklin. — J. F. Shaw was born in New Orleans, Febru- 
ary 15, 1859. ^^ ^^ ^^^^ son of J. F. Shaw, Sr.,and was reared in New Orleans 
and educated in the public schools of that city. He began life as a clerk for 
Taylor & Logan, commission merchants in that cit}', and remained in their 
employ for eight months, when he engaged with John Calder & Son, as clerk. 



HIS TO RICA L A ND BIO GRA PHICA L. 385 

and was in their employ for three j'ears. He then entered the employ of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and, after remaining with them for seven 
years, resigned his position and returned to the employ of Calder & Son, iis agent 
of two separate plantations in St. Mar)- parish, the Alice E. and Choupique. He 
has held this position since 1885. Mr. Sliaw was married in 1886 to Miss Nel- 
lie Riley, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, and a daughter of Cornelius Riley. 
They are the parents of two children, a son and a daughtt-r, viz: Catlierine R. 
and Cornelius D. ^ 

N. K. TODD, Foster. — N. K. Todd is a native of St. Mary parish, born 
in 1842. His father, James Todd, was born in Xenia, Ohio, the son of John 
Todd, a farmer and resident of Madison, Indiana, where he lived to the age of 
seventj'-five years. James Todd received his education at night schools, labor- 
ing on a farm during the day. He became a man of considerable prominence 
ill St. Mary parish, where he h.ad located in 1841. He was a distinguisiied 
Mason, receiving every degree conferred in that order. He married, in 1842, 
Nancy Kemper, a native of St. Mary parish, daughter of Nathan Kemper, a 
native of Virginia, who removed to St. Mar)' parish early in life, where he 
became an extensive sugar planter. Mrs. Todd died of j^ellow fever in 1854. 
James Todd afterward married Mrs. E. H. Rice, and to them were born five 
children: Lee, James, Helen, Henry and Mar)'. James Todd died in 1887 at 
the age of seventy-one years. 

The subject of this sketch is one of four children born to James and Nancy 
Todd, only two of whom lived to maturity: John R. and N. K. N. K. Todd 
received his early education in Franklin, and completed his studies at North 
Hampton, Massachusetts, where he was pursuing a course preparatory to enter- 
ing Yale College, when the war breaking out prevented him from carrying out 
his intentions. He entered the Confederate service in 1862, and served until 
tlie close of the war as a corporal in St. Marys Artillery, participating in the 
battles of Bisland, Franklin, Yellow Bayou, Mansfield, and a number of other 
minor engagements. In connection with this may be mentioned the fact that 
Admiral Porter, in his report of the fight of Cane River, makes the statement 
that there were eighteen pieces used by the enemy, and every shot fired struck 
a vessel. Instead of eighteen pieces there were but two twelve-pounders, 
smooth-bore, and two howitzers supported by only 200 riflemen, who after 
firing began withdrew, leaving the battery without support. Mr. Todd served 
as No. 4 on one of the twelve-pounders. The guns mentioned belonged to 
Nims' famous Boston battery, which were captured at Mansfield, and afterward 
used as we have seen above with such telling effect in the hands of the victors 
as to cau>e Admiral Porter to believe them more than four times their real num- 
ber. After the war Mr. Todd was for some time engaged as clerk in a mer- 



386 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: 

cantile establishment, and later conducted a mercantile business for a period of 
about fifteen years in Centerville. In 1878 he engaged in planting, but still 
continued his mercantile business until 18S2, since which time he lias devoted 
his entire attention to planting. Garrett plantation, located five miles southwest of 
of Centerville on Bayou Sale, consists of about one thousand acres, of which 350 
are cultivated principally in cane and corn. Mr. Todd was married in 1869, to 
Miss Addie Berwick, daughter of David Berwick, of St. Mary parish. To 
them have been born seven children, of whom si.x are living : James, Louise, 
Lizzie, Kate, Nannie, Addie, and Mary, deceased. Mr. Todd was reared in 
the Episcopal church, of which he and his family are members. He is a 
Democrat, and under Gov. McEnery served two years as police juror from his 

ward. » 

» » 

^ J. R. VERRET, Louisa. — J. R. Verret was born in Lafourche parish, 
March 28, 1855. He is the son of J. R. and Charlotte (Romagosa) Verret. the 
former a native of Terrebonne and the latter of Lafourche parish. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in Houma, where his par- 
ents removed when he was quite young. He began life as a deputy in the 
clerk's office at Houma, where he remained for about two years. He then en- 
gaged in a grocer}' business, and in this he continued until 1877, after which 
time he was appointed registration clerk, and held this office for two months, 
at the end of which time he removed to St. Mary parish, Februar}', 1879, 
where he took charge and managed the plantation store of Mrs. E. D. Bur- 
guieres. In March, 1883, ^^ was married to Miss Elodie Bodin, a native of 
Terrebonne parish, born February 5, i860. She is the daughter of N. Bodin 
and Emma Bonvillain, both natives of St. Mary parish. Mr. and Mrs. Verret 
are the parents of four children, viz: Louise Elodie, Emma Cecile, John 

Robert, Mary Beatrice. , 

» » 

FRANK C. VIGNERIE, Louisa.— Frank C. Vignerie was born, February, 
1856, in Terrebonne parish, Louisiana. His father, D. P. Vignerie, was a native 
of France, whence he removed when a young man to America, locating in St. 
Mary parish, where he married and became a planter. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in St. Charles College, 
Grand Coteau, and at the University of Louisiana. After completing his studies 
he engaged as clerk in the mercantile establishment of J. P. Viguer & Co., at 
Houma, Louisiana. Subsequent to this he conducted a mercantile business 
on Waterproof plantation. He later retired from mercantile business and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits in Terrebonne parish. Here he remained 
until 1885, when he became manager of the Alice B. plantation at this place, in 
which capacity he is still engaged. Mr. Vignerie was married, January 13, 1885, 



IIlSrORICAL AND BIOGRAPIIJCAL. 387 

to Miss Ernestine L. Burguieres, daugiiter of E. D. Burguieres, Terrebonne 
parish. Mr. and Mrs. Vignerie are the parents of two sons and a daughter, 
Frank C, Jr., Ernest D. and Rose M. Mr. Vignerie is an active participant 
in local affairs; and while a resident of Terrebonne parish he served for three 
years as deputy tax collector. 

« • 

ALCIDE VEEDER, Charenton.— Alcide Veeder was born in St. Mary 
parish in 1851. He is. the son of John and Felician (Ward) Veeder. John 
Veeder was a native of New York, and came to St. Mary parish when young. 
He was a bricklayer by occupation. He died in 1854. Felician Veeder is 
a native of St. Mar}- parish. She married a second time, Frederick Wolford. 

Alcide Veeder is the only living member of a family of tliree children. He 
received his education in the public and private schools of his neighborhood, and 
has been working on his own account since sixteen years of age as a 
planter and cooper. His plantation consists of one hundred acres, and 
lies on the east side of the Teche, three-fourths of a mile above Charenton. 
Its principal products are sugar cane and rice. His carpenter shop is located 
on his plantation and gives employment to four men. In January, 1S90, our 
subject entered into partnership with Hubert Delaj-e, in a general mercantile 
business, carrying an average stock of about five thousand dollars. He married, 
in 1871, Anna Minderman, a native of St. Mary parish, bornin 1852, and daughter 
of Leander Minderman. They are the parents of seven children: John, Ida, 
Winifred, George, Ella, Lena and Aimie. Mr. Veeder and family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic church. 

* * 

^ ANATOLE WALFORD, Charenton.— Anatole Walford was born in St. 
Mary parish, February 17, 1858. He is the son of Frederick and Feliciane 
(Mora) Walford, the former a native of Germany, the latter of St. Mary parish. 
At the age of fifteen 3'ears our subject commenced the cooper's trade, at which 
he worked for seven years. During that time he married Miss Louisa A. Bien- 
venu, a native of Iberia parish, born September 30, 1858, and daughter of Ar- 
mantel and Clelie (Megney) Bien\enu, both of Iberia parish. To them were 
born two sons and five daughters: Louise (deceased), Martha, Barnadette, 
Louise, Anatole, Antonia and Paul. After working at his trade for a number 
of )'ears Mr. Walford turned his attention to merchandising at Charenton, but 
with limited means at his disposal. Since that time his stock has continuously 
increased, until he now carries about six thousand dollars worth of goods, and 
does an annual business of eigliteen tliousand dollars. In 1883 he was appointed 
post-master at this place, which position he still holds. He has also an interest 
in a saw-mill in this localit)-. 



3»e 



SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA , 



G. G. ZENOR, Patterson. — G. G. Zenor is a native of Adams county, 
Mississippi, born October i8, 1833. He is the son of M. and S. M. (Waller ) Zenor, 
the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Louisiana. They removed to 
Concordia parish, Louisiana, when G. G. Zenor was a child. He received his 
finishing education in the High School of Natchez, Mississippi, after which he 
assisted his father in planting until 1868. He then removed to St. Mary parish 
and enoaged in sugar planting on his own account, and has become one of the 
most successful sugar growers of the State. He has seventeen hundred acres of 
land under cultivation, two-thirds of which is in cane and the rest in corn. He 
has a five-roller mill, made by the Reading Iron Works, of Pennsylvania, which 
is the same mill thai was on exhibition at the E.vposition at New Orleans. He 
can grind four hundred tons ot cane in twenty-four hours, and has one vacuum 
pan with a capacity for fifteen thousand pounds of white clarified sugar, or 
ei'feteen thousand pounds of yellow sugar at a strike, which requires about four 
hours. He operates the centrifugal process — has four Weston and six German 
centrifugals. Mr. Zenor was married in St. Mary parish, in 1855, to Miss Lu- 
cretia Robbins, a native of this parish. They aix* the parents of seven children, 
viz: Webb, Sallie, Inez (deceased), Mollie, Lulu, Oscar, George. 




INDEX. 



Page. 

Abadie, Red Francis 56 

Abbeville, the Town of 255 

Acadia, A Tale of 357, 223 

College 237 

Sentinel, The 242 

Parish of 224, 223 

Farm, An 193 

Lodge 257 

Acadians, The 103, 17 

Historical Sketch of the 327 

Academy, St. Charles 148, 147 

Act Creating Calcasici: Parish 129 

Advertiser, The 204 

Advocate, The 51 

Agassiz, Prof g 

Agriculture 42 

Agricultural Resources 29 

Alpha, Oscar L 242, 205 

American, The 139, 131 

American, Cotton and Financial Reporter.... 148 

Andrews, Joseph 34 

Anself, Lieutenant Jacob 66 

Attakapas County, The 12 

Indians, The 13 

Atchison, Topeka Si Santa Fe Railroad 21 

Avery's Island 96 

Bagdad, Town of 166 

Bailey, Wm. B 205,192 

Adolph 198 

Bar, The Present .'... 55 

The Pioneer §4 

Bayou Cypremort 214 

Beau Basin „ 183, 182 

Bell, Guy H 54 

Bench and Bar, Tile 53 

Benevolent Associations 251 

Bervvick, The Town of 222 

Bilbo, Thomas... 125 

Bradley-Ramsey Company 164, 156 

Brashear, Judge 199 

Brandt, William 192 

Creaux Bridge 80 

Brent, William 89 

Brier, Judge 197 

Bronson, John 89 

Broussard, Lieut 66 

Village of 202 

Gaupert 188 

Broussard's Commission, Gaupert 1S9 

Bridges 254 

Perry's .55 

Brown, George C 172 

Bryan, Capt. J. W 158 

Boarding in College 238 

Bonin Brothers too 

BoundarieSi etc 169 



Page, 

Bullard, Henry A 53 

Lieutenant C. D 66 

Buchanan, J. H 166 

Bunker, C 165 

Burke, W. R no 

Business Directory 249 

Burt, Miss Mollie 148 

Caffrey, C. D 202 

"Cajans," The 104 

Calcasieu Parish 119 

" The soils of 120 

Invincibles, The 65 

The Settlement of 123 

The Pine of 132 

Ranches 134 

The Towns of 164 

The Bar 150 

River, The 163 

Cameron Parish 169 

" Organization of 172 

Campbell, William 198 

Canadians, The 14 

Carencro Tradition, A 193 

Carr, Mortimer 172 

Town of 202 

Catherine Cole 246 

Catholic Church, The 200, So, 55 

Capital, The Parish no 

Central Pacific Railroad 20 

Chattanooga Tradesman, The 113 

Character, A 190 

Characteristics 216, 191 

Churches 179, 146, 1 15, 44 

Clarion, The 51 

Climate 234, 213, 122, 10 

Clegg, John 198,192 

Code of Practice 86 

Co-Education 239 

College, The Lake Charles 148,146 

College Uniforms 239 

Commercial, The 159 

Confederate States Rangers 66 

Confidence Lodge, No. 17 165 

Cote Gelee Hills 184,181 

Blanche Island 214 

Cotton Seed Oil as Medicine 113 

Constitution of 1S79 273 

Cormier, V 198 

Country Towns 159 

Courier, The 49 

Court House, The 105 

Cow, A Stolen 73 

Coward, Hardy 124 

Christian Visitor, The 159 

Creoles, The 37 

Crop Statistics 68 



390 



INDEX. 



P«ge. 

Grossman, Miss M. J 147 

Crow, R. C 19S 

Culloni, Judge E. North 50 

Cullom, Judge E. North fSecond Part) 11 

-Darby, Prof 1S2 

Davis, W. W 165 

DebaUion, C 19S 

Deblanc, Capt. A 68 

Raphael 89 

Dees, E. H 164 

Delahoussaye, C 89 

Claude 216 

Louis Le 216 

Democrat, The 50 

The New Iberia 116 

Dennett, Col. Daniel 95 

Sketch of 208 

Derbes, Alexandre 89 

Description and Topography 120 

Development, etc 131 

Devillier, Louis 35 

Francois 35 

Doctors, The 253, 149 

Dolau, Thomas 173 

Dolby, Prof. O. S 147 

Donahue, D. W 170 

Doxey, William 171 

Drew, Andrew 174 

H.C 1571, 40 

Dunn, Oscar J 172 

Duperier, Frederick iii 

Dr. Alfred 108, iii, 102 

Duperier's Battalion of Cavalry 174, 68 

Major St. Leon 68 

Dupre Family, The 36 

Hon. Jaques 54 

Lucius 53 

Early Settlements 228, 171, 33 

Courts 219 

Echo, The Lake Charles 170, 158 

Eclectic Club, The 252 

Eden of Louisiana, The 14 

Education, Early no 

Edwards, N. N 198 

Elliott, W. M 165 

Enterprise, The New Iberia 115 

Evangeline, The Story of -103, 82 

The Poem of 257 

Evening on the Calcasieu, An 142 

Everett, Z. L 159 

Fabacher, Joseph 228 

Fallon, Rev. Father 146 

Farmers Should Understand their Soils 9 

Farmers Union, No. 5S70 185 

Ferry Question, The 166 

Fig, The 137 

First National Bank, The (Opelousas) 52 

The (New Iberia) 117 

Fontenots, The 36 

Formation of Parish 217 

Fournett, Col. V. A 68 

Judge G. A 126 

Frazer, D. D., Rev. George 146 

Franklin, The Town of 220 



Page. 

Friendship Lodge, G. T 165 

Freight Received 200 

Fruit Culture 245, 211 

in Calcasieu Parish 135 

Fusilier, Agricole 112 

Gant's Experience, Elbert 30 

Garland, Capt. H. L 66 

Garrique, Gen 39 

Gales, Judge Fred 112, 106 

General Description 244 

Geology, etc 9 

German Poem, A 231 

Benevolent Association 16^ 

Girard, M. E 189 

Glendale Institute, The 148 

Globe, The Council Bluff 145 

Go-Ahead Town, A 152 

Government, The Parish 69 

Governor's Proclamation, The 77 

Grand Cote Island 95 

Grand Coteau 51 

Chenire 170 

Gray, Dr 149 

Grieg Carlos 56 

Goospcrt, Village of ..164 

Guegnon, E. J 251 

Eugene 251 

Gunn, R. J 165 

Hall, James 171 

R 139 

Hammond, R. E. J 146 

Hardy, Dr 149 

Harper's Magazine 96 

Haskell, Frank 165 

Hays, Lieutenant J. G 66 

Hay Making 232 

Herron, Andrew S 77 

Hirsch, L 165 

Hickman, Lieutenant J. C 66 

Highways, etc 41 

Hoernicke, Rev. S 148, 146 

Hornet, The 118 

Hope Council No. 1112 165 

House, The Court 247 

Hubbell, Rev. H. L 149, 147, 146 

Hudson, W. F 118 

Iberia, the parish of , 91 

Parish, organization of 104 

Independent, The 251 

Indian Legend, An 13 

Indians, The 37 

Incident, An 217, 190 

Jackson, Stonewall 68 

Japan Plum, The 136 

Jeannerette, The Churches 118 

The Town 117 

Jefferson, Joseph 99 

Jenkins, Miss M. A 147 

Johnson, Capt. Wm. M 66 

Jones, Rev. J. R 148, 119 

Joseph 170 

Mill, M. T 156 

Jurors, Police 237, 150, 69 



Page. 

Justice, The Seat of 130 

Of the Peace 236 

Kansas City & Gulf Railway..i8i, 178, 176, 153 

14s. 144 

Kaufman, L 165 

Kirby, Samuel L 149 

Kearney, M. D 165 

King, Rev. C. A 146 

of France 15 

George S3 

G. R - 197. S3 

Kline, Rev. W. H 159 

Knapp, Prof 140 

W. A 165 

Knights, The Catholic 252 

LaBesse, J. C 165 

Lafayette Incorporated 192 

Mayors 192 

Parish 118 

Lafayette, Town of 199 

LaGrange Emilien 77 

Lake Arthur 164 

Calcasieu 164 

Charles 164 

Settled 150 

Municipal Government.. 151 

The City of 121 

Lastrapes, Captain Louis 66 

Latiolas, Leon 190 

LaVergier, Celestin 34 

Lawton, J. B 115 

Lawyers, The 2^2, 149, 109 

LeBiue, L. C .,..: 16^ 

Lee, Robert E 68 

Leesburg, The Town of 173 

Legal 252 

Leveque, Miss Louise 147 

Levy, Adolph 52 

Lewis, Hon. Seth 53 

E. T S3 

Little, Mrs. C. W 148 

Literary Society 2S2 

Lisbon, The Town of 166 

Longevity 36 

Louaillier, J. J 52 

Louisiana, the State of 85 

Louis XV, King 2i6 

Lumber Interests, The 140 

Mills, The 156 

Magill, Augustus 89 

Many Things of Many Kinds 165 

Manufacturing Industries 153, 112, 89 

Manufacturers' Record, The 113 

M»rtel, Judge B. A 19S, 158, 54 

Andrew 187 

Martin, E. H 59 

Robert 89 

Marsh, Miss Ida 165 

Miss Jennie i6s 

Mayne, George 173 

Mavo, Mrs.Thad 165 

Mctall, Millege 171 

McCauley, Lieutenant S. D 66 

McCormick, John 159 



INDEX. 391 

I'age. 

McCormick, C. M 159 

Mechanics' and Traders' Exchange 117 

Medical Profession 198, 107 

Methodists, The 45 

Meridional, The 251 

Military History, The 250, 229, 116 

Milmo, Stokes & Co 117 

Miller, John M _ 171 

E. D 171 

Mississippi Valley Lumberman, The 141 

Monnier, Aug 192; 

Moore, Judge s3 

Morgan Railroad, The 194, 41 

City 221 

Morse, Isaac E 88 

Moses, L 165 

Monnot, A. L 117 

Mouton, Gen. Alfred 78, 68 

Gov. Alexander iq8, 78, 54 

Chapeaux 188 

C. H 89 

E 198 

Julian 198 

Mouton, J. E S9 

John and Marin 188 

John O 19S 

O. C 198 

Salvator 188 

William 198 

Mount Hope Mill 158 

Carmel Convent 200 

Mudd, Dr. Jerome 108 

Neal, Dr. Benoni 108 

Miss Delia 159 

Neda, Col. Francis 35 

New Iberia, Advantages of 115 

Fires in 117 

Laying Out of iii 

New Orleans, A Trip iS 

Newspapers, The 115, 48 

Nicholls, Thomas C 89 

Norris, W. B 163, 157 

Mill, The 157 

Northern and Southern Lumber 142 

Offutt, William 35 

Nathaniel 35 

Jr., Capt. N 66 

Ollivier, C. M 197 

Oonshiu Orange, The 136 

Opelousas, The County of 40 

Guards, The 57 

" Killed and Wounded of 

the 65 

The Town of 51 

Volunteers, The 66 

Opinion ot an Ex-Governor 248 

Orange Island 99 

Culture 197 

Organization of Parish 235, 191 

Orleans Guards, The 68 

Territory _ _ 40 

Oveiton, Hon. J. H 197, 53 

Paris, Le Petit 71 

Parish Seat, The ly 



892 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Parish of St. Landry 27 

of St. Martin 67 

Officers 253, 236 

Parker, R. A 66 

Parrot, Joseph 89 

Peace Lodge of K. of P 165 

Pecan Island 247 

Peigneur, Lake 100, 99 

Pelican Hook and Ladder 166 

Perkins & Miller 163 

Reese 163, 156 

" An Incident of 124 

A.T 163 

Petit Anse Island 96 

Perry, Judge Robert 109 

Perry's Bridge 249 

Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company 165 

Physicians, Early 55 

Pioneers History, More of 3S 

The 125, 102 

Pilleron, Lieut. S. M 66 

Pinhoop Village 192 

Population, The Increase of 18 

The 194 

Porter, Judge James 53 

" Alexander 89, §7 

Poste des Attakapas 14 

Poem, A.... 142 

Police Jurors 253, 237 

Post-Offices 254, 237 

Planters' Banner 100 

Platz, Peter 165 

Prairie Au Large 92 

Prescott, Maj. William 35 

Lieut. Willis ^ 66 

Preston, Gen. John 34 

Press, The 251, 15S, 23 

Proclamation, A 74 

Products of the Parish 184 

Professions, The 179 

Promised Land, The ici 

Prudhomme, Michael 55, 34 

Lieut. M. S 66 

Public Improvements 106 

School, The 22 

Pujo, A. P 165 

Queue Tortue, Bayou 1S2, 77 

The Battle of 79 

Railroads, etc 144, 41, 19 

More about 52 

Shipments - 20 

Ray, Dr. James 55 

Rayne, The Town of 241 

Reese, D. H 165 

Reed, J. A 165 

J. D 158 

Reliance Lodge 3278 165 

Reporte r, The Jennings 139 

Richart, Capt. V 78 

Ritchie, Lieut. H. B 66 

Riverside, Village of 174 

Rivers and Bayous 22 

Rio Honda Claims, The 124 

Rip Van Winkle 99 

Ri'e Culture 231, 13S 



Page. 

Rice Train, A 140 

Roane, Percy W 118 

Rogers, Col. Benjamin 35 

Rev. G. 6 149, 146 

Rosteet, J. W 139 

M.J 165 

Root, James 171 

Ryan, John 124 

Sabine Station 163 

Sallier, Charles .T 125 

Salles, G. C 192 

Salt Mines, The ,. 97 

Sanders, Dr. J. B 149 

Sandoz, J. H 49 

Savage, T. B 53 

Science of Geology 9 

School Board, The 10 

Fund, The 70 

Schools, The Public 194, 146, 69, 44 

Scott Village 203 

Schwing, W. F 159 

Seaton, Lieut. E. D 66 

Settlers, The Earliest 123 

Settlement, Early 254,216, 187, loi, 33 

Sekendorff, Aug 165 

Silling, Frank 147 

Mary 165 

Laura 165 

Sisters of Mercy, Convent of iiS 

Simms, Judge Edward 88 

Jr., Edward 89 

Skipper, J. T 52 

Solenge, Dr _ 112 

Sketch of : 107 

South Before the War, The 10 

Southerc Pacific Railway, The 19 

Southwestern Land Co., The 52 

Soil and Crops 244 

South, The New 225 

Spanish Occupancy 15 

Emigrants 17 

Veil, Marriage under the 16 

Spence, Lieut. J. A 66 

John 145 

John A 15S 

Spencer, Death of W. H 65 

St. Charles Academy-, The 14S 

St. Landry, Crops of 31, 10 

Fruits in 31 

Light Guards 66 

Parish, Organization of 39 

" Towns of 59 

Volunteers of 66 

St. Mary, Parish of 207 

Geology of 20S 

Agricultural Resources of 208 

Products of 209 

St. Martinsville, from iSii to 1861 70 

St. Julien, Maior 98 

State Board of Education 69 

Steam Navigation on the Teche ill 

Statistics of Crops 210, 39, 32 

Stafford, Wm 174 

E. A 174 

Stock Raising 349, 234, 181 

Steam Fire Company « .'...165 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Shattuck, S. O 165 

Smith, John M _ 171 

W. 192 

Dr. Raphael 108 

Sugar Bowl, The : 116 

Sugartown 163 

Sulphur Mines, The 145 

Sweeney, Dr. Arthur 173 

Tasse, Lake 100 

T.nylor, Lieut. John 61 

Killed, Lieut. John 65 

Teche Club, The 117 

Temperature of Southwestern Louisiana 12 

Territory of Orleans, The 40 

Texas & Pacific Railroad 41 

Tobacco 213 

Toll, H. E „ 197 

Tx)pography 207, 204 

Usher, Miss Ella R 



141 

^'an Shaack, A. G 14S 

Vauttrey Refinery, The 117 

Vermilion River, The iSi 

Parish of 243 

Vigilance Committee, The 71 

Vindicator, The Attakapas 205 

Voorhies, Lieut. Alfred 68 

Judge Cornelius 71 

Dan VV 89 

Felix 89, 12 



393 

Page. 



Voorhies, E. G i 

L- J 89 

Waddill, Col. J. O 114 

Wagnou, Lieut. J. W 66 

War Record igg, ^y 

Warner, Charles Dudley g6 

Warmoth, Hon. H. C 172 

Washington, The Town of 56 

Water Courses 29 

Ways, etc \a 

Watkins, J. B 144 

Banking Company 153 

Wakefield, Geo. W 171 

Walsh, Hon. Henry 160 

Western Editor's Opinion, A 224 

Western Company, The 15 

Westlake, Tlie Town of 113 

Wetherill, John : 174 

Welsh, Capt. James 174 

Whitworth & Co 117 

Joseph S 117 

Wickliffe, Gov. R. C -.77 

Willis, Rev. Joseph ,. 44 

Wilson, S. J 52 

Women's Christian Temperance Union 165 

Yellow Jackets, The 68 

Yellow Fever Epidemics 108,71 

Young America Fire Co 166 

Young M. P 192 

Young Men's Christian Association 165 



PART II. 



Page. 

Abshire, John, Jr 277 

Abshire, Joseph D., M. D 37S 

Adams, William H 35S 

Addison, E. 1 277 

Alpha, Oscar L 201 

Alpha, C. P 201 

Alpha, Independence 357 

Allen, Albert C 357 

Alleman, Narcisse 358 

Aiigele, J. B 309 

Anding, Henry W 251 

Anthonoiz, Rev. J 251 

Andrus, C. B 3 

.\ndrus, D. D 137 

Andrus, B. C 137 

Anderson, Joseph \ 138 

Arenas, Mathiag 251 

Ashford, Wm. R 3 

Bailey, William B 201 

Bailey, Frank E 10 

Bailey, Jonas W 5 

Bagley, Timothy 2S0 

Bagley, Martin 2S0 

Baggett, Dennis E 140 

Baker, Monroe 310 



Page. 

Bardy, Rev. M 98 

Barnard, Alfred G 95 

Barousse, Homer 253 

Barry, E. S., M. D 5 

Barry, R. H 6 

Barras, Hipolite 312 

Barras, Albert 312 

Bartels, Henry H 279 

Bassett, Judge Carter 309 

Beauxis, John M 281 

Becker, John Baptist 2Sr 

Becnel, Amazan 311 

Bellnice, Bertrand 311 

Benard, Artenard _..._..3ii 

Berard, Felix 313 

Berard, Ernest 97 

Btiraud, M. D., Paul D 202 

Bercier, A. J.,D.D.S 7 

Bernard, A. C 94 

Bernard, Hon. Jos. D 253 

Bernard, Pierre 20S 

Bernard, Louis G., Jr 310 

Bernard, Louis 310 

Bernard, Carlos 310 

Bertrand, O 207 

Bertrand, J. G 208 



394 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Bertrand, Ernest 208 

Berwick, O. 361 

Bihin, Lewis 10 

Billatid, Leon 209 

Billaud, Martial 210 

Bienvenu, R. J 311 

Bienvenu, Albert 312 

Binnings, C. P., Jr 363 

Bird, Thompson 140 

Bloch, Joseph 7 

Block, M 364 

Boagni, Edward 9 

Bodenheimer, Philip 359 

Bodin, Doize 362 

Bonin, J. E 21 1 

Bosworth, Millard 363 

Borah, W. S. M. D 359 

Boucnalt, Wm 313 

Boudreaux, John 10 

Boiidreau, Adam... 2S2 

Boudreaiiy, B. A 207 

Boutte, Henry T 98 

Bourque, Sasthene V 99 

Bourqui?, J. B 99 

Bourque, Ulger 314 

Bourque, Ludger 314 

Bourque, Jules 314 

Boyd, John A., M. D 316 

Bradford, Wei man 254 

Breaux, Joseph C 210 

Breaux, Numa 210 

Brinkhaus, F. G 6 

Broussard, Aladin 315 

Broussard, Savique 315 

Broussard, A. G 315 

Broussard, John Dorville 92 

Broussard, Robert F 93 

Brousard, C 94 

Broussard, N 94 

Broussard, Lastie 279 

Brou.'^sard, L A 203 

Broussard, Joseph Zeno 203 

Broussard, J. 204 

Broussard, Valsin 205 

Broussard, Joseph S 205 

Broussard, Leonard 205 

Broussard, Alcee 205 

Broussard, A. Cleophas .......206 

Brown, Chas. C. 206 

Brown, James B 362 

Brookshier, J. A 2S2 

Brooks, George E., M. D 4 

Bruner, E. O. 252 

Bryan, Captain J. W :6S 

Bussey, J. C 98 

Burke, Walter J 96 

Burke, W. R 96 

Burleigh, James 8 

Burleigh, Joseph 8 

Burleson, E. H 141 

Burguieres, J. M 360 

Burguieres, Lenfroy 361 

Burton, Captain Walthall 4 

Burr, C. F 9 

Cade, William 283 

Cade, Hon. Overton 213 



Page. 



Cage, Henry Hays 


22 


Gallery, Louis 


36s 


Campbell, Wm 


212 


Campbell, Newton R 


28} 


Gary, W. H 


254 


Gary, S. L 


"45 


Gary, Wm.. 


146 


Carver, H. W 


260 


Carron, Martm 


20 


Carbello, Chas 


142 


Carbello, Emile 


145 


Castex, Jean 


259 


Chappuis, Philip J 


259 


Chappuis, A b 


258 


Chachere, 'Iheog, M. D 


ij 


Ghachere, Joseph 


14 


Chachere, Robeit 


15 


Champagne, J. U 


318 


Charles, Rev Julee L 


100 


Cherry, Prof 1 C 


25/ 


Chiasson, P A 


215 


Chi Ids, W. M , M D 


'9 


Chevis, Wm C 


2S7 


Clark, Raymond T 


2^8 


Clark, A. , M. D 


214 


Clegg, Judge John 


212 


Clements, J B 


16 


Clopton, W F , M D 


J9 


Gloney, John Y 


143 


Golev, J. M , M D 


14' 


Cole, A. L 


144 


Colgin, Geoige T 


10 1 


Gottingham, James R 


'4 


Gorkran, G. W 


144 


Coreil, Theodore 


16 


Cook, Z. T 


364 


Gonstantin Ernest 


214 


Conway, E. J 


2t 


Comeau, H P 


15 


Comeau, Cliftord H 


15 


Cormier, N A 


3>6 


Cormier, Anatole 


3>6 


Cormier, Nu-na 


3'7 


Cooper, Joseph 


14s 


Creightoii, Lmile 


212 


Crowson, E G 


3<8 


Gurrie, John D 


16 


Culkin, Laurent, M. D 


3>7 


Curtis, F. R 


■45 


Cullom, Hon E North 


It 


Gyr, Madame Emilie (iloffherr) 


100 


Darby, Gesaire 


lOI 


Darby, E. H 


105 


David, Her\illien, Ji 


525 


David, Homei 


262 


David, Lucius 


31 


Davies, Thos P 


147 


Dauterive, B D 


105 


DeBlanc, Leopold 


106 


DeBaillon, Louis, M D 


3^ 


DeBaillon, Judge C 


217 


DeBlanc, D iniel 


320 


DeClouet, Paul L 


215 


Dees, Elly H 


148 


Decuir, A. J 


lOJ 


Decuir, Zenon 


-104 



INDEX. 



395 



Delahoussayc, Gustave 

Delahoussaye, Ihtogene 

Delahoussave, Frank 

Dulanv, T.'l 

Delhome, All red A 

Deshotels, H II 

Dejean, Arthur 

De La Croix, TDD 

DeMary, Eugene 

Derouen, T. A 

Devilliers, Notle^ C 

Dietlein, Christopher 

Dimmick, Add^^on 

Dimitry, D. A 

Dodge, Capt- L\inan J 

Dodez, Capt. G'V 

Domengeau J Arthur C 

Doniengeaux, A F 

Domec, Jean 

Dossmann, L J 

Doty, Alexandci 

Doucet, Clebule C 

Doucet, Marlm 

Doucet, Melon 

Drouet, Louis N 

Druelhet, Narcisse 

Diury Isaiah. 

Duplantias, Toussain 

Duchamp, Eugene D 

Duchamp, E. \ 

Duchamp, De Chastaigne Louis 

Duclos, Louis Alphonse 

Dugas, Joseph V 

Duhon, Vior. 

Duhon, J. V. 

Dunesnil, John T 

Dupre, Hon. Gilbert L 

Dupuis, Victor E 

Dupuis, A., Jr 

Durand, O. J 

Durand, Rdne M 

Durio, Erasti 

Durio, Diomel 

Durio, Adlin 

Durio, Alexander L 

Durio, Homer 

Durke, Walter S 

Duson, Hon. C.C 

Duson, W. W 



P»ge. 
I02 

io6 
1 06 
102 
219 
30 
30 
318 
2S4 

lOI 

30 

34 

27 

21S 

28 

29 

V-\ 

V-^ 

325 

31 

366 

23^ 
262 
262 

^^S 
107 

174 
104 
320 
323 
323 

261 
320 
219 

148 
34'; 

28 

218 

320 

319 

319 

32 

32 

33 
220 



35 
....22 
..261 



Ealer, Charles N 

Eastin, William B 

Edwards, Judge W.W.. 
Edwards, C. J., M. D.. 

Eltie, R. D 

Erath, August 

Estilette, Judge E. D.... 

Estilette, E. L 

Escoubas, Edward 

Estorge, H. E 

Evans, W 



- 37 
.326 
..28s 
.,28s 
.366 
.107 

- 3.'; 
■223 
.149 
.. 36 
..38 



Faggot, J. A 

Fabacher, Joseph- 
Flash, Theodore 

Foote, J. W 

Foster, Paul, M. D . 



263 
■367 
• 40 



Page. 

Foster, T. D 108 

Foster, Lewis C 147 

Foster, George W 149 

Foster, Dennis M 150 

Fourgeaud, L., M. D 328 

Fournet, Alexander V 326 

Fournet, L. P 377 

Fontenot, T. S 38 

Fontenot, Ozeme 39 

Fontenon, O. B : 39 

Foreman, Phineas 225 

Francis, George 109 

Francez, Jean Pierre 224 

Francez, Roman 225 

Frere, Leonard .S log 

Fritsche, Otto loS 

Fruge, Ulysse 150 

Fuselier, Alfred 327 

Fitzhugh, Geo. N 41 

Gabriel, Prof. Albert 330 

Gates, Judge Fred . L 1 10 

Gardernal, Gabriel 329 

Gauthier, Louis C 32S 

Gauthier, A 329 

Gauthier, C. M 329 

Gauthier, A. M 152 

Gay, S. R., M. D 112 

Garland, Hon. Henry L 46 

Gellert Rev. H 155 

George, T. E 156 

Girac, P 227 

Generes, A. H 41 

Geneux, E. C in 

Gibbs, Joseph C 152 

Gibbens, Capt. Thos. C 43 

Gillespie, Col. Jno. Crawford 44 

Gillespie, John 333 

Gillard, Leon F 332 

Gillard Ernest J - 333 

Girouard, J. 231 

Godchaux, Gus 286 

Gonsoulin, Adrian HI 

Gordon, Capt. S. J. C 45 

Go&selin, S. J 42 

Goodman, Joseph 155 

Gray, W. B 3^7 

Gray, Reuben Flanagan, M. D 151 

Gray, John G 152 

Greig, Carlos 43 

Guilbeau, James L 4? 

Guilbeau, Prof. A. L 22S 

Guilbeau, A. C 229 

Guilbeau, G. Arista 335 

Guidry, Joseph T 286 

Guidrv, Antoine 229 

Guidrv, H D 228 

Guidry, Albert ,-.230 

Guidry, Leonard 228 

Guerrin, J. A 328 

Gueriniere, Edwin 332 

Gueriniere, Charles 332 

Guterkunst, Charles 331 

Guth, Jacob iia 

Haas, Capt. S 46 

Haas, J. A., M. D 47 



396 



INDEX. 



I'agc. 

Habert, F. R 366 

Hall, Capt. Greene 161 

Halbert, Xavier R 369 

Halphen, J. () 335 

Halphen, Jr., J. O 335 

Hamblet, J. T., M. D 287 

Hansen, Capt. Thos 160 

Hampton, C.P ,.... 162 

Harrington 288 

Hanchev, J. F 163 

Hart, Fred W., M. D 334 

Hardv, Edgard 334 

Haskell, \V. H 157 

Hawkins, E. C 47 

Hawkins, Dr. J. E 48 

Hauf, R 369 

Hayes, D. B 263 

Haves, Mrs. M. M 4S 

He'berl, A. P 157 

Hebert, Pierre A 158 

Hebert, Dossillee H. 158 

Hebert, D 1^9 

Hennigan, J. E. M 163 

Henrv, Andrew 265 

Hewett, A. P 161 

Hicks, Thos. H 49 

Hitter, Joiin Alfred 336 

Hockadaj, W. E 264 

Holliday, Wm 163 

"tloltman, John F 113 

Iloftpauir, Howard 2S7 

Holipauir, Preston 231 

Hortpauir Ford 232 

Howell, S 50 

Hogsett, R0I11 113 

Huber, Zeno 264 

Hudson, Wn\ I , 114 

Humble, John U 49 

Hutchins, Wm. L 159 

Hutchinson, Hugh 232 

lies, Demcy 164 

Irion, V. K., D. D. S 50 

Irvin, Robert Hughes 336 

January, D. P., M. D 265 

leanmard, Jules 337 

■(enkins, W. T., M. D 266 

J.;i,kins, W. A., M. D 266 

Jewell, Frank L., M. D 337 

Johnson, Joseph P 370 

Johnson, W. VV 370 

Kemper, Mrs. Wm. P 371 

Keneson, J. W 267 

Kibbe, W. G., M. D 2S9 

King, Henry A., M. D 115 

Kissock, E 115 

Kleinpeter, Hon. Thos 164 

Knapp, W. A., M. D 165 

Knight, Philip 53 

Knight, Mrs. Edwin 33S 

Kock, Julius 116 

Kuehling, William W 289 

Labbe, A. A 234 

Labbe, Theobald J 339 



Page 



Labove, Joseph T 121 

Lacoste, G 233 

Lacy, T. Jay 57 

Lacy, Alonzo 235 

Lafleure, Ertemon 59 

Lefleur, Dorsin P 59 

Legarde, A. L 116 

LaNeuville, G. A 234 

Landry, J. A 166 

Landry, Alphonse 121 

Landry, R. C 235 

I^andry, Alcee , 235 

Lampman, Martin V 293 

Lassalle, Joseph ... 57 

Lastrapes, Mrs. A. P 339 

Lastrapes, Wm. Robertson, M. D 58 

Latreyte, E 56 

Lawless, Thomas C 372 

Lawton, J. B 117 

Lazaro. Mark 58 . 

LeBlanc, Severin 290 

LeBlanc, Lucius, M. E) 291 

LeBlanc, Joseph Alcee 291 

LeBlanc, A. L .- 291 

LeBlanc, Alcide 292 

LeBlanc, Simonet 234 

LeBlanc, Aurellin 234 

LeBleu, Joseph C '. 167 

LeBleu, Z 166 

LeBron, Pierre 116 

Ledoux, V. D 57 

Leonce, Elaire 372 

Leota,ud, L 292 

Lesseps, Auguste Jr 372 

Levy, Alphonse 55 

Littell, Robt. M., M. D .53 

Littell, Benj. A., M. D ^4 

Littell, L. E 54 

Livingston, W. H 339 

Lobdell, J. B uS 

Loeb, Sol 55 

Loret, Hon. J. A 371 

Lozes, Leon 121 

Lyle, Wm. F 167 

Lyons, M. L 236 

Lvons, J. C 267 

Lyons, E. W 267 

Lyons, R. R., M. D 268 

Lyons, E. J., M. D 167 

Lyons, John L 16S 

Maignaud, V 269 

Mail lard, Pierre 376 

Malonso, Joseph 342 

Martin, James F 122 

Martin, George W 65 

Martin, E. D 375 

Martin, J. E 244 

Martin, J. M 244 

Martin, Paul A 245 

Martin, S. V 340 

Martin, F. R., M. D 341 

Martin, Sidney 244 

Maxwell , Albert G 296 

Mayo, Thad 170 

Mayo, H. M 373 

McCormack, John 179 



Page. 

' -Cov, J. B 64 

.Farlain, A. D 178 

cGowen, C. A., M. D ~ 123 

iKerall, Wilson 374 

^IcMillan, J. A 268 

'IcXeese, John 170 

M-Pherson, Mrs. Virginia 65 

Me,;inlev, B. F 60 

M-'h.urlt^ Rev. A. M 203 

Melar.con, -S. C 375 

Melan con, Cyp 342 

Mrquex,, Theomilc 122 

Mtquex, Drozen 122 

Mevers, Andrew 123 

Mever, VVm 174 

M"'"*".!, Adolph 174 

Mi I'burn, E. C 61 

I^Ii'trs, Elias 174 

Mi ;rs, Wm 174 

Mi.frs, John F 174 

Mi|l lard, Mrs. Elanora A 65 

j^jl ler, Dennis 270 

I^mi'er, Chas 172 

J^lil; er, Levi A 172 

Min", E. D 173 

Mit '5> '- '^ '77 

Mr hell, Col. A. R i(x) 

,t tagne, Eli 294 

Morgan, Thomas J 295 

Morris, James F., M. D 269 

Mor is, John W 373 

Morris, J. M. & Co 63 

Mor on, Marcus L 297 

Moore, Joseph \V 175 

Moo.e, Judge Joseph Murtaugh 63 

Mon lot, A. L 124 

Mosi, L. H 176 

Mos, , J. V 176 

Most.. Alexander 294 

Moss , Henry J 295 

Moss. A. J 236 

Mos^s, Nathaniel P., M. D 237 

Mouton, A. K 62 

Mouton, Jules J 342 

MoiiDn, Julian 238 

Mout )n, Alexander 238 

Mouton, Judge Orthee C 241 

Mouton, J. E 242 

Mouton, Jacques D 242 

Mouton, J. S 243 

Mouton, Alcide V 243 

Mudd, F. S., M. D 238 

Neely, J. M 100 

Nelson, Wm. N 179 

Nelsor, Paul 125 

Niblett, H. M., M. D 343 

Nichols, Isaac :8o 

Nunez, Hon. Adrien 298 

Nunez, Adrien Hebrard 29S 

O'Brvan, Hon. Oliver H 299 

O'Brvan, Robt. P iSc 

Olivier, P. D., M. D_ 343 

Olivier, C. M.Jr , 344 

Olivier, Robt. A , 1 2 1, 

O'Niell, Waller A 377 

25a 



INDEX. 397 

I'age. 

Oge, John M 66 

Patout, H 126 

Pelerien, Louis 380 

Penn, Henry 379 

Pecot, Capt. A. A 379 

Perrv, Judge Robt. S 126 

Perkins, A. J., M. D 182 

Ferret, Francis Placide 378 

Perkins, C. T 181 

Pitre, Chas 68 

Poe, John H 183 

Posev, T. L 67 

Powers, E. M 181 

Power, Felix Y 344 

Potier, Charles, Jr — 345 

Prentice, Nathaniel 1S2 

Prejean, Ursin, M. D 245 

Provost, Joseph A 129 

Pujo, Arcene P 182 

Ramsey, James B., M. D 301 

Ray, James, M. D 69 

Ray, lames O., M. D 69 

Read," Dr. Henry 70. 

Read, Stephen D., Judge ....* 185' 

Reid, E. J., Jr 191 

Reon, Lastie 191 

Reseweber, J. A 346 

Reynolds, Virgil C.,M. D 69 

Rice, Levi S 299 

Rice, Cornelius L 300 

Rice, Lorenzo 300 

Richard, A. \ 70 

Richard, J. V 184 

Roberia, Judge M 73 

Rpberts, John H 190 

Rode, Fritz 3S1 

Robertson, George M 127 

Robin, Joseph N 71 

Roger, E. C 72 

Rogei , L. N 72 

Rose, Daniel 270 

Rosleet, M. J 1S6 

Rosteet, J. W 189 

Rougeau, Landry 68 

Rousseau, J 34S 

Rov, Adrien F 346 

Roy, A. D 346 

Roy, P. B 246 

Rovve, Francois M 186 

Ruppert, Christian 271 

Ryan, T- L 184 

Ryan, M. W ....189 

Ryan, Jacob 185 

Sabin, W. C .- 19S 

Saizan, J. P., M. D 75 

Saizan, David P 7.^ 

Sampson, Junius 130 

Sanguinett, J. C 132 

Sandoz, Leonce 73 

Sanders, J. Y 383 

Sanders, Edward A 384 

Sarver, Martin... 303 

Salterfield, W. E 130 

Savant, J. P 78 



398 



INDEX 



Page. 

Savoy, Valentine 80 

Savoy, Francois 272 

Scranton, G. W., M. D 246 

Schwing, Win. F 192 

Schlessinger; J. A 347 

Segura, P. H 132 

Shattuck, lion. S. O 193 

Shaffer, Thomas 382 

Shankland, E. R 192 

Shaw, Hon. Granville B 302 

Shaw, J. F 304 

Shepherd, George B 381 

Sherlev, E i94 

Shute.'l. E., M. D 77 

Sisur, Joseph O • 384 

Sillan, George 368 

Simon, Felix : 272 

Simon, George 131 

Simon, Judge Arthur 78 

.Simmons, James 196 

Simpson, W. H 195 

Singleton, George S 79 

Skipper, |. T ...'. 73 

Slaydon, E. A 196 

Standfield, James D 193 

Sloane, Robert B 271 

Sloane, Ferguson 272 

Smith, Millard F 129 

Smith, Rev. Stethen 197 

Smith, Capt. Jones P 76 

Souathe, V. A 131 

Stansbury, H. J 301 

Steele, Charles R 79 

Steinacker, Charles 381 

Stewart, J. T 74 

St. Germain, C ,. 196 

St. Germain, R. M < '. 347 

St. lulien, J. G 247 

Swillev, M. Q •. 194 

i5>vift,'Dav:d R 195 

Sylvester, Capt. E. W 76 

Talley, William D 348 

Tavlor, E. Sumter 82 

Ta'vlor, Capt. John M 273 

Tarleton, T. T., M. D 82 

Theall, H 248 

Thibodeau, Valery 349 

Theall, Joseph 303 

Theall, Aurelien —-304 

Thompson, J. J So 

Thomp»on, Wm. M., M.D 83 

Thompson, Edward, M. D S3 

Thompson, C. M..1 84 

Todd, N. K 385 

Tolson, F. R., M. D 247 



P«Et. 

Trainer, Luke 13- 

Vautier, L. C 3. 

Vander Cruyssen, H. A 3_ 

Vanslyke, W. L 30, 

Veazie, Edward P ?+ 

Terret, Alexander "97 

Verot, A. D 248 

Verret, J. R 306 

Veeder, Alcide •• 3^7 

Vidrine, Yves 87 

Vidrine, Aurelie 88 

Vidrine, Aloin 88 

Vigneaux, Jean 248 

Vignerie, Frank C 3^6 

Villien, Maurice 3'M 

Voorhies, Col. Felix ,i49 

Voorhies, Charles H J.-ii 

\'oorhies, E. G 248 



3.52 
<» 

S8 

90 

307 



Walford, Anatole 387 

Wallis, S. R 

Ward, Perley Poore 

Ward, S. P., M. D 

Ware, John M 

Wartelle, Ferdinand M 

Watts, S. P 

Webb, RufusC 274 

Webb, Col. James 274 

Webb, Rev. Thos. F 250 

Weeks, Wm. F 135 

Welborn, Wm. B 197 

Welch, John 273 

Welch, Felix K 198 

Wells, Hon. George 'I99 

West, James L 198 

Wilson, Major M. R 89 

Williams, J. N 306 

Wise, Solomon 307 

Winston, Thos. S 305 

Whitman, Joseph A i^ 

Wilson, S. Jos 92 

Welte, Rev. Marius 349 

White, John T 133 

White, W. D., M. D 306 

Whitworth, G. W 134 

Young, Francis D , 27% 

Young, N. C 3C^ 

Young, R. J., M. D 308 

Zawadsky, R. M., M. D 200 

Zeringue, Sasthen 353 

Zernott, Robt 91 

Zenor, G. G 388 



r 



p 



